BRITISH STEAMER LABUAN.

Mr. SUMNER. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Senate bill No. 528, reported from the Committee on Foreign Relations, to carry into effect a decree of the district court at New York.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (S. No. 528) to carry into effect the decree of the district court of the United States for the southern district of New York in the case of the British steamer Labuan was read the second time, and considered as in Committee of the

Bailey, William Leetham, and John Leetham, of England, or their legal representatives, owners of the British steamer Labuan, of $131,221 30, with interest from June 2, 1862, to the time of payment, and $5,000 without interest; also, to Messrs. De Jersey & Co., of England, or their legal representatives, part owners of the cargo of the same steamer, $3,613 92, with interest from May 21, 1862, to the time of payment; and to Francisco Amendiaz, of Matamoras, Mexico, or his legal representatives, part owner of the cargo of the same steamer, $2,067 17, with interest from June 6, 1862, to the time of payment; such sums being due under a decree of the district court of the United States for the southern district of New York, pronounced March 25, 1868, on account of the illegal capture of the British steamer Labuan and her cargo by a cruiser of the United States.

Mr. CONNESS. Mr. President, my friend, the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, always manifests a great degree of promptness in reporting bills for the payment of British ships. I suppose that ascertained debts should be paid, but I am sorry to see that there is not an equal promptness by him in reporting bills for the protection of the rights of Americans abroad. There have been times -and I should be sorry if they had passedwhen the rights of men demanded protection and immediate attention quite as much as the property of men. My friend would scarcely wish to occupy the position of being here as the special advocate of the rights of property and the payment of debts as contradistinguished from the support and sustenance of the rights of men, either white or black.

When a question was under consideration a few days since cognate to the subject, I took the liberty to inquire of the honorable chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations when we could expect a report upon the House bill now long with that committee, and he made answer that the committee would take it np at its next meeting. Since that time it has been stated in the public press, I hope not correctly, that the committee has agreed to lay that bill over, postpone it until the next session of Congress.

Now, Mr. President, it would scarcely become męto criticise the action of a committee of this body, and particularly to assume that this statement is a correct one to base such criticism upon; and until the honorable chairman shall state that it is correct I shall not be understood as criticising the action of the committee; but I will say now, while I am up, that it is scarcely the thing, as it appears to me, upon an important subject, that a committee shall agree to postpone consideration of it without submitting that question to the body which had referred it to them. I am of the opinion that there is no one requirement greater now at our hands than that there be American law as the basis of action for our Government upon the great subject to which I have adverted, and which is comprehended by the bill before the Committee on Foreign Relations.

I rise, Mr. President, to call attention to that bill, and to invite the attention of the country to it, and to give notice that at an early day I intend to move to discharge the committee from its further consideration, and get the yeas and nays upon that question, unless there shall be a report made. I want the privilege of voting that American citizens, I

vote.

It was stated in the newspaper connection that I have referred to that the action was taken to some extent in deference to diplo matic representatives of foreign Powers at Washington. That can scarcely be true, sir; it cannot be true.

it

Mr. SUMNER. And of Mr. Seward, it was said.

Mr. CONNESS. And of Mr. Seward, it was said. That can scarcely be true, either. I will not, however, undertake at this time to discuss the Secretary of State in this connection, because I do not think it would be proper; but as one Senator here, and as a citizen feeling a deep interest in this subject, but not claiming any exclusive interest in it, as was intimated on another occasion by the honorable Senator, I do claim that it is a subject worthy of our attention, and which demands our early attention.

And, Mr. President, the tone of public feeling upon this subject is sound and true. It is not ephemeral, nor asserted at this time for local political effect; but the opinion is made up in the face of the arrest of our citizens abroad and their incarceration in foreign prisons, from which they are gradually being discharged by the grace of her majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, if not other potentates of Europe.

As I said on another occasion, if this Government is not able, ready, willing, and determined to support its citizens abroad, it must be held to have abdicated one of its most essential functions; and I intend to ascertain how many American Senators there are who will hesitate to give earnest effect to this opinion. I do not intend to occupy my seat here and vote for the payment of damages to British ships while American citizens are in British prisons; and I hope, sir, there will be an end to it. We are constantly engaged in acts of courtesy, civility, comity, toward foreign nations, and especially toward that nation which never makes and never has made any ceremony in putting its strong arm upon our people whenever it suited its policy.

I should like now, Mr. President, in this connection to know how long the honorable chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations is to give precedence to bills for the payment of British ships, and to neglect from one session of Congress to another the important question I have referred to?

Mr. SUMNER. Mr. President, the Senator from California addresses a question directly to me, apparently holding me responsible for the order of business and the reports made by the Committee on Foreign Relations. Sir, he does me too much honor and assigns to me too great a responsibility. I am here on this floor a Senator like himself, and the representative of that committee; that is all. So far as I act on questions from the committee, it is only as its representative. I do what I am instructed to do. Now, that committee has instructed me to report a bill to carry into effect a decree of the district court for New York with regard to which I presume there can be no objection. It has as yet given me no instructions on the matter to which the Senator calls my attention and the attention of the Senate. I refer to the bill from the House of Representatives with regard to the rights of American citizens abroad. When the Senator called attention to that on a former occasion I said that it was then under the consideration of the committee. It has been on three several occasions considered by the committee, and the action of the committee thus far is not my action but the action of the committee, and I may say unanimously. I will not go into the consideration of that action now. I prefer not to step aside from the bill actually before the Senate; there is no occasion

I shall content myself with simply one observation. There has been a report in the newspapers with reference to the action of the committee on the bill referred to. The report is entirely without foundation. It is stated that the chairman of the cominittee had had a conference with the Secretary of State, and acted in pursuance of the Secretary's suggestions. On that statement I have this to say, that I have never once exchanged a word with the Secretary of State on that bill, nor have I ever received any suggestion from him, direct or indirect. That is the answer that I give to that report. So far also as the report pretends to attribute influence to foreign diplomacy I may make the same remark. The bill was considered by the committee independently, without any influence from any quarter, and the conclusion that they have reached thus far was founded on their own judgment, looking at the best interests of the country, and with a desire, I believe, as sincere as that of the Senator himself to maintain the rights of American citizens abroad. If thus far they have not been able to see their line of duty precisely as the Senator sees his, I hope the Senate will be candid enough not to attribute to them any want of interest in the cause to which he refers.

He reminds the Senate that the committee can report bills relating to property and neglect bills relating to human rights. I am not aware that I have reported from that committee during this session any other bill that falls within the category to which the Senator refers. This is the first bill of the kind-the bill I now hold in my hand-because it is the first with regard to which there has been any occasion for action. It was a bill almost of necessity, because it was to carry out a judg ment of one of our own courts declaring that the United States stood in debt to certain persons, and this bill simply proposes to provide the means for the payment of that debt. I cannot well understand why a committee which thus simply discharges its duties should be arraigned for some imagined neglect of the great cause of human rights to which I believe all its members are as sensitive as the Senator from California himself. Certainly I will not yield to that Senator on that subject in any form in which it can be presented. My opinions of the rights of American citizens, whether at home or abroad, have been too often declared. I desire that those right shall be asserted and maintained. Possibly I may differ from the Senator as to the way in which those rights should be asserted and maintained; but I cannot allow that Senator to consider himself more devoted to that cause than I am.

Now, I hope, if the Senate please, unless the Senator wishes to remark further, they will act on the bill.

Mr. CONNESS. I do wish to make some further remarks. This is a very curious answer, and full of instruction, to the question that I had the honor to propound to the honorable chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations. What is most noticeable in it-and I call the attention of Senators and the country to the honorable Senator's answer-is that he does not step with firm tread, but he steps forward in dealing with this subject as though his feet were clothed with moccasins. He says, in the first place, that he is not the committee. Does he imagine that we do not know that? He tells us not what the committee has done, but intimates that it has with unanimity de termined to postpone this great question. Well, Mr. President, I did not arraign the committee; but it is my right to inquire into this subject here. Nor did I claim any superior inter est in this subject to any other Senator. I wish it distinctly understood that upon this question I am peculiarly and only American.

But, Mr. President, I intend to pursue the notice that I have given, and I shall invite the

attention of the few representatives of the opposite party on the other side of this Chamber, and hope, when the question comes up, to get their votes; and that the party I belong to here, peculiarly representing, as I believe, human rights, shall be, if not voluntarily spring into this contest, shamed into it. I do not intend that it shall be left unacted upon.

If this subject were near the heart of my honorable friend from Massachusetts as other subjects that he takes hold of, think you that he would not press it upon the attention of the committee of which he is chairman, and then upon the attention of the Senate? Why, sir, with what eagerness he rises in his place when he has a petition to present here involving an alleged outrage upon a single individual, and that within the reach of our right hands or right arms! But upon this subject month after month may pass, season after season-nay, year after year-and American citizens may rot and die in foreign prisons!

I now, Mr. President, conclude by giving notice that at an early day of the coming week I shall propose a resolution to discharge the Committee on Foreign Relations from the further consideration of the subject, that the Senate of the United States may vote upon it.

Mr. SUMNER. I ask now action on the bill before the Senate.

Mr. STEWART. I hope there will be no action taken immediately on this bill. We should at least understand something more about it.

Mr. SUMNER. If the Senator will be good enough to look at the printed letter which accompanies it, and the decree of the district court, I think he will find that there is no occasion for delay. The bill simply carries out the decree.

Mr. STEWART. There is no written report of the committee.

Mr. SUMNER. I beg the Senator's pardon; it is all in print.

Mr. STEWART. I should like to have the bill lie over that I may look into it.

Mr. SUMNER. If the Senator raises the question that the United States is not to carry into execution a decree of the district court adjudging that the United States shall pay a certain sum of money, then there may be occasion for it to lie over.

Mr. STEWART. I must certainly raise that very question. If any of our courts have awarded damages to British subjects for illegal captures, or anything of the kind, I am opposed to making any appropriation for paying them until the Alabama claims are settled, and particularly the claims of those whalers in the Pacific ocean who were destroyed by Waddell, who was afterward harbored in England. Six weeks after the fall of the rebellion, this man, Waddell, destroyed an entire whaling fleet, destroying the whole property, the substance of their lives, of the poor men who owned those vessels. They were burned by him when he had before him papers announcing the end of the rebellion, but he said he did not care for that; and he afterward went to Great Britain and was harbored there. I understand he has been here at Annapolis since, and is now harbored by our Government. No steps have been taken to relieve those sufferers; and until there can be mutual justice done, until there can be some arrangement made in regard to the damages done by the privateers that Great Britain sent out to destroy our commerce, I think we should refuse all appropriations to pay just or unjust claims to British subjects for damages sustained during our war. I do not complain of the decision of the court in the case, because I know nothing of the facts; but I would not pay any such claim until there shall be a settlement of the claims of our citizens. They have been treated a great deal worse than British subjects have been, have been subjected to much greater losses, and under more cruel and aggravating circumstances. I do not think it is a very good time to make appropriations to pay claims

of British subjects at this session, and I hope the bill will be postponed.

Mr. HENDRICKS. I should like to ask a question.

Mr. TRUMBULL. It is one o'clock, I believe.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. To-day was set apart for the consideration of pension bills at this hour.

Mr. SUMNER. I understand that the Senator from Indiana proposed to ask a question in regard to the bill which has been under discussion.

Mr. CONNESS. I think that had better go over to-day.

Mr. HENDRICKS. I was going to ask the Senator from Massachusetts if the court has decided the question?

Mr. SUMNER. The court has decided, and the bill is to carry into effect the decree of the court.

Mr. HENDRICKS. Is this a question of restitution?

Mr. SUMNER. It is.

Mr. HENDRICKS. Was the vessel sold? Mr. SUMNER. The vessel was sold. Mr. HENDRICKS. What became of the money? Was it paid into the Treasury? Is this to pay the amount that the vessel sold for?

Mr. SUMNER. It is to pay that amount. It is a case of restitution where there was an illegal capture.

Mr. HENDRICKS. If the money has not been paid into the Treasury, the court can pay it on a restitution.

Mr. SUMNER. The money has been paid into the Treasury, and the decree of the court now adjudges the United States responsible to this amount, and distributes the same according to the proportions mentioned in the bill among the owners of the vessel and of the cargo.

Mr. HENDRICKS. What is the aggregate? Mr. SUMNER. It is mentioned in the bill, but I have forgotten the precise amount. There is a report accompanying it. I went over the facts of the case in drawing the bill some time ago, and I cannot remember the precise figures. The bill was founded precisely on the decree.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. Mr. President, I ask the Senate to proceed with the pension bills. Mr. SUMNER. Before the Senator calls his bills, I wish to understand whether the pending bill will lead to debate? If so, I shall not press it now.

up

Mr. STEWART. I should like to examine

the papers; and if there is a report there I hope it will be printed.

Mr. SUMNER. It is printed and on your table; it has been printed for some time.

Mr. CONNESS. I wish to say that I desire to be heard on this subject again. I have some information now touching the action of the Committee on Foreign Relations, and will state what that is on another occasion.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from West Virginia moves that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the order of the day, being the bills reported from the Committee on Pensions.

The motion was agreed to.

MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE.

A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. MCPHERSON, its Clerk, announced that the House had concurred in the amendments of the Senate to the following bills:

A bill (H. R. No. 176) to amend an act entitled "An act to provide for carrying the mails from the United States to foreign ports, and for other purposes," approved March 25, 1864;

A bill (H. R. No. 598) to continue the Bureau for the Relief of Freedmen and Refugees, and for other purposes;

A bill (H. R. No. 538) to extend the boundaries of the collection district of Philadelphia so as to include the whole consolidated city of Philadelphia;

A bill (H. R. No. 861) relating to the Supreme Court of the United States;

A bill (H. R. No. 198) to reestablish the

| boundaries of the collection districts of Michigan and Michilimackinae, and to change the names of the collection districts of Michilimackinac and Port Huron; and

A bill (H. R. No. 764) for the relief of certain exporters of distilled spirits.

The message further announced that the House had concurred in the concurrent resolution of the Senate tendering the thanks of Congress to Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, late Secretary of War.

The message also announced that the House had agreed to the committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the bill (S. No. 184) granting a pension to Mrs. Ann Corcoran.

The message further announced that the House had passed the bill (S. No. 426) for the relief of Thomas Crossley; and the joint resolution (S. R. No. 134) authorizing a change of mail service between Fort Abercrombie and Helena, severally without amendment.

BILL INTRODUCED.

Mr. MORGAN asked, and by unanimous consent obtained, leave to introduce a bill (S. No. 563) for the preservation of the harbors of the United States against encroachments; which was read twice by its title, referred to the Committee on Commerce, and ordered to be printed.

HENRY E. MORSE.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to consider House bill No. 152.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 152) for the relief of the widow and children of Henry E. Morse was considered as in Committee of the Whole. It proposes to direct the Secretary of the Interior to place on the pension-roll the names of the widow and minor children under sixteen years of age of Henry E. Morse, late a private in company G, ninth regiment Vermont volunteers, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws.

The bill was reported to the Senate without amendment, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

MILTON ANDERSON.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 246.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 246) granting a pension to Milton Anderson was considered as in Committee of the Whole. The bill is a direction to the Secretary of the Interior to place the name of Milton Anderson, late a private in company K, of the one hundred and fifteenth regiment Illinois infantry volunteers, on the pension-roll, at the rate of fifteen dollars per month, to commence from the 1st day of May, 1863, and to continue during his natural life.

Mr. CONKLING. I wish to inquire of the honorable Senator from West Virginia whether all these bills which are being passed have received his personal examination?

Mr. VAN WINKLE. They have not only received my personal examination, but are House bills, and have been examined and approved by the committee there and then have passed the House of Representatives.

Mr. CONKLING. That of course we know. As they are House bills, they have passed the House, or they would not be here. But I would like to know whether, independent of that, the Senator has himself examined them?

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I can assure the Sen ator that I have examined and I believe read every paper in all the cases, and they have also been canvassed before the Pension Committee of the Senate.

The bill was reported to the Senate without the third time, and passed. amendment, ordered to a third reading, read

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 257) for the relief of James L. Dickerson was considered as in Committee of the Whole. By its terms the Secretary of the Interior is to place on the pension-roll the name of James L. Dickerson, late a private in company D, first West Virginia artillery, in the war of 1861, and to pay him the same pension allowed privates, subject to the provisions and limitations of the general pension laws, to commence on the 27th day of June, 1865.

The bill was reported to the Senate without amendment, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

MARY B. CRAIG.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 258.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H.R. No. 258) for the relief of Mary B. Craig was considered as in Committee of the Whole. It provides for placing the name of Mary B. Craig, of Marshall county, West Virginia, widow of Samuel F. Craig, on the pension-roll, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the 1st day of July, 1865, subject to the limitations and provisions of the pension laws. The bill was reported to the Senate, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

MARGARET HUSTON.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 280.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 280) to grant a pension to Margaret Huston was considered as in Committee of the Whole. It is a direction to the Secretary of the Interior to place the name of Margaret Huston on the roll of pensions as a widow, at the rate of seventeen dollars per month, from January 1, 1865, subject to the limitations and provisions of the pension laws.

The bill was reported to the Senate, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

DAVID VAN NORDSTRAND.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 455.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 455) granting a pension to David Van Nordstrand was considered as in Committee of the Whole. It provides for placing the name of David Van Nordstrand, late of company H, of the one hundred and twenty-seventh regiment of Indiana volunteer infantry, on the pension roll, at the rate of fifteen dollars per month, from and after the passage of the act.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move to amend the bill by striking out the words "the passage of this act," and inserting "9th day of October, 1864."

The amendment was agreed to. The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the amendment was concurred in.

Mr. SHERMAN. I should like to ask the Senator what is the reason for going back?

Mr. VAN WINKLE. The law expressly puts it at the date of the injury or discharge. This bill was founded principally on the evidence of Mr. Speaker COLFAX. He drew the bill himself, and made a mistake in drawing it, which he did not perceive until it had passed the House of Representatives. He then came to me and asked me to offer the amendment. It is strictly in accordance with law.

Mr. CONKLING. Does the amendment make the pension date from the time of the disability, or from the discharge?

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I cannot say which. The disability was the loss of a leg.

Mr. SHERMAN. If the disability was so marked as the loss of a leg, why could not the person get his pension in the regular way?

Mr. VAN WINKLE. This man lost his leg when he was sent off on particular duty. He was on a railroad car and fell from the top of the car, and his leg was crushed. At the time

this occurred the Pension Office was not in the habit of allowing pensions in such cases; but I am entirely satisfied on examination that it is a correct case, and that the man should have his pension according to the amendment.

The amendment was ordered to be engrossed, and the bill to be read a third time. The bill was read the third time, and passed. CORNELIA K. SCHMIDT.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 517.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill H. R. No. 517) granting a pension to Cornelia K. Schmidt, widow of Adam Schmidt, deceased, late a private in company A, thirty-seventh Ohio volunteers, was considered as in Committee of the Whole. By its terms the Secretary of the Interior is to place on the pension-roll the name of Cornelia K. Schmidt, widow of Adam Schmidt, deceased, a private in company A, thirty-seventh regiment Ohio volunteers, and to pay her the pension allowed a private during her widowhood, subject to the provisións and limitations of the pension laws, to commence on the 10th day of April, 1864; and in case of her death or marriage the pension is to be paid to the minor children of Adam Schmidt, deceased, who may be under sixteen years of age, subject to the provisions of the general pension laws.

The bill was reported to the Senate, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

ELIZA J. RENNARD.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 517.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 517) granting a pension to Eliza J. Rennard, widow of William K. Rennard, deceased, late a private in tenth Ohio volunteers, of war of 1861, was considered as in Committee of the Whole. It proposes to direct the Secretary of the Interior to place on the pensionroll the name of Eliza J. Renpard, widow of William K. Rennard, deceased, a private in tenth Ohio battery of volunteers of the war of 1861, and to pay her the pension allowed. a private during her widowhood, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws, to commence on the 1st day of March, 1865; and in case of her death or marriage the pension is to be paid to the minor children of William K. Rennard, deceased, who may be under sixteen years of age, subject to the provisions and limitations of the general pension laws.

The bill was reported to the Senate, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

JOSEPHINE K. BUGIER.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 520.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 520) to place the name of Josephine K. Bugher on the pension-roll was considered as in Committee of the Whole. By its terms the Secretary of the Interior is to place the name of Josephine K. Bugher, of Missouri, on the pension-roll, at the rate of twenty dollars per month, commencing on the 1st day of August, 1861, as widow of Captain William J. Bugher, subject to the limitations and provis ions of the pension laws.

The bill was reported to the Senate, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

SUSAN A. MITCHELL.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 526.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 526) increasing the pension of Susan A. Mitchell was considered as in Committee of the Whole. It proposes to direct the Secretary of the Interior to place on the pensionroll, subject to the provisions and limitations

of the pension laws, the name of Susan A. Mitchell, mother of Lieutenant Leander F. Alley, late of company I, twentieth Massachusetts regiment volunteer infantry, as the mother of a second lieutenant, in lieu of the pension she is now receiving.

The bill was reported to the Senate, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

JOHN Q. A. KECK.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 236.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 236) granting a pension to John Q. A. Keck, late a private in the third Missouri cavalry, was considered as in Committee of the Whole. It provides for placing the name of John Q A. Keck, late a private in the third Missouri cavalry, on the pension-roll, to commence on the 19th day of December, 1862, and to be subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws.

The Committee on Pensions proposed to amend the bill by inserting after the word "roll," in line four, the words "and to pay him a pension of fifteen dollars per month. The amendment was agreed to.

The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the amendment was concurred in. The amendment was ordered to be engrossed, and the bill to be read a third time. The bill was read the third time, and passed.

ALMIRA WYETH.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 411.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 411) for the relief of Almira Wyeth was considered as in Committee of the Whole.

The Committee on Pensions proposed to strike out all of the bill after the enacting clause, in these words:

That the name of Almira Wyeth, widow of James M. Wyeth, late a private in company I, seventyfifth regiment Illinois volunteers, be placed on the pension-roll in pursuance of existing law in such cases, commencing on the 5th day of March, 1863. And in lieu thereof to insert:

That the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized and directed to place the name of Almira Wyeth, widow of James M. Wyeth, late a private in company I, seventy-fifth regiment Illinois volunteers, on the pension-roll, and allow and pay her a pension at the rate of eight dollars per month, from the 5th day of March, 1863, to continue during her widowhood.

The amend ment was agreed to.

The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the amendment concurred in. The amendment was ordered to be engrossed, The and the bill to be read the third time. bill was read the third time, and passed.

GEORGE F. GORHAM.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 518.

No. 518) granting a pension to George F. The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. Gorham, late a private in company B, twentyninth regiment Massachusetts volunteer infantry, was considered as in Committee of the Whole.

The first section is a direction to the Secretary of the Interior to place on the pensionprivate in company B, twenty-ninth regiment roll the name of George F. Gorham, late a Massachusetts volunteer infantry, in the war of 1861, and provides that he be paid the same amount of pension allowed in similar cases, subject to the provisions and limitations of the general pension laws, to be computed from the 16th day of January, 1865.

The second section provides that inasmuch as George F. Gorham is now insane, and his father, John J. Gorham, appointed guardian, it is ordered and directed that the pension money be paid over to said guardian to be applied to the support of George F. Gorham during his insanity.

The Committee on Pensions reported an

amendment, to strike out in lines seven, eight, and nine the words "paid the same amount of pension allowed in similar cases, subject to the provisions and limitations of the general pension laws," and to insert "allowed and paid a pension at the rate of twenty-five dollars per month."

The amendment was agreed to.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move, in the second line of the second section, to strike out the words "and his father, John J. Gorham, appointed guardian;" and also to strike out the word "said" and insert "his," in the fourth line. The bill provides that the pension shall be absolutely paid to his father. His father may die and another guardian be appointed. The amendment is that the pension shall be paid to his guardian, whoever it may be.

The amendment was agreed to.

The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the amendments were concurred in. The amendments were ordered to be engrossed, and the bill to be read the third time; the bill was read the third time, and passed.

PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL OF BILLS.

A message from the President of the United States, by Mr. W. G. MOORE, his Secretary, announced that the President had on the 19th instant approved and signed the following bills: An act (S. No. 322) granting a pension to Sherman H. Cowles;

An act (S. No. 323) granting a pension to Michael Kelley;

An act (S. No. 344) granting a pension to Caroline and Margaret Swartwout;

An act (S. No. 420) granting a pension to James A. Guthrie;

An act (S. No. 421) granting a pension to Caroline E. Thomas; and

An act (S. No. 424) granting a pension to Bartlett and Carrie Edwards, children of David W. Edwards, deceased.

W. W. CUNNINGHAM.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 522.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 522) granting a pension to W. W. Cunningham was considered as in Committee of the Whole. It is a direction to the Secretary of the Interior to place the name of W. W. Cunningham, late a sergeant of company C, thirteenth New York cavalry, on the pensionroll, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws, to commence from the 25th day of October, 1865.

The Committee on Pensions proposed to amend the bill by inserting after the word "roll," in line six, "and to allow and pay him a pension at the rate of fifteen dollars per month."

The amendment was agreed to.

The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the amendment was concurred in. The amendment was ordered to be engrossed, and the bill to be read the third time. The bill was read the third time, and passed.

JAMES S. TODD.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. Imove that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 523.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 523) granting a pension to James S. Todd was considered as in Committee of the Whole. It provides for placing on the pension-roll, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws, the name of James S. Todd, of North Carolina, father of two sons who died in the first regiment North Carolina volunteers.

The Committee on Pensions proposed to amend the bill by adding to it "and to allow and pay him a pension at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence from the passage of this act, and to continue during his natural life."

The amendment was agreed to. The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the amendment concurred in.

The amendment was ordered to be engrossed, and the bill to be read the third time. The bill was read the third time, and passed.

AUSTIN M. PARTRIDGE.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 524.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 524) granting a pension to Austin M. Partridge was considered as in Committee of the Whole. It provides for placing on the pension-roll, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws, the name of Austin M. Partridge, late a wagoner in company F, twenty-sixth regiment of Iowa infantry, commencing March 26, 1864.

The Committee on Pensions reported an amendment, to insert in line seven, after the word "infantry," the words "and allow and pay him a pension at the rate of eight dollars per month."

Mr. VAN WINKLE. The committee withdraw the amendment.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The amendment will be considered as withdrawn if there be no objection.

The bill was reported to the Senate without amendment, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

MAHALA M. STRAIGHT.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 454.

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, proceeded to consider the bill (H. R. No. 454) granting a pension to John Kelley. It proposes to direct the Secretary of the Interior to place on the pension-roll the name of John Kelley, late a private in company H, sixty-seventh regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, to date from the 16th of January, 1865, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws.

The Committee on Pensions reported the bill with an amendment, to insert after the word "volunteers" the words "and to allow and pay him a pension at the rate of eight dollars per month."

Mr. VAN WINKLE. The committee withdraw that amendment.

The bill was reported to the Senate without amendment, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

PLEASANT STOOPS. Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senproceed to the consideration of House bill No. 456.

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The Committee on Pensions proposed to amend the bill by striking out the letter A," in the fourth line, and inserting " M ;" and also by inserting after the word "deceased," in the fifth line, the words "late a private in company E, one hundred and twenty-ninth regiment Illinois volunteers."

The amendment was agreed to.

The next amendment was to insert after

the words "United States," in line seven, the words and to pay her a pension at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the 5th day of September, in the year 1862, and to continue during her widowhood."

The amendment was agreed to.

The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the amendments concurred in. The amendments were ordered to be engrossed, and the bill to be read the third time.

The bill was read the third time and passed; and its title was amended so as to read, "a bill to place the name of Mahala M. Straight upon the pension-roll of the United States.'

NANCY WEEKS.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 453.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 453) increasing the pension of Nancy Weeks, widow of Francis Weeks, a soldier of the war of 1812, was considered as in Committee of the Whole. The Secretary of the Interior is directed by the bill to increase the pension of Mrs. Nancy Weeks, widow of Francis Weeks, late of the State of Georgia, and a soldier of the war of 1812, to ten dollars per month, from and after the passage of this act, and to continue during her natural life.

The Committee on Pensions reported the bill with an amendment in line six, to strike out the words "a soldier of the war of 1812" and to insert an ensign in the revolutionary war;" and in line nine to strike out the words "natural life" and insert the word "widow

hood."

The amendment was agreed to.

The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the amendment was concurred in. It was ordered that the amendment be engrossed and the bill read a third time. The bill was read the third time, and passed; and

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, proceeded to consider the bill (H. R. No. 456) granting a pension to the minor children of Pleasant Stoops. The bill instructs the Secretary of the Interior to place upon the pension-roll the names of the minor children of Pleasant Stoops, late a member of company F, eighteenth regiment of United States infantry, to date from the day of his death, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws.

The Committee on Pensions reported the bill with amendments. The amendments were, in line five to insert the names of "David Henry Stoops, Pleasant Stoops, and Sturges Stoops;" in line six to strike out the word "minor" before "children," and after the word "children to insert "under sixteen years of age ;" and in line eight, after the word "infantry," to insert "and to pay to them or their legally-authorized guardian or guardians a pension of eight dollars per month;" so that the bill will read:

That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby, authorized and instructed to place upon the pension-roll the names of David Henry Stoops, Pleasant Stoops, and Sturges Stoops, the children, under sixteen years of age, of Pleasant Stoops, late a member of company F, eighteenth regiment of United States infantry, and to pay to them or their legally-authorized guardian or guardians a pension of eight dollars per month, to date from the day of his death, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws.

The amendments were agreed to.

The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the amendments were concurred in.

The amendments were ordered to be engrossed, and the bill to be read a third time. The bill was read the third time, and passed; and its title was amended so as to read, "A bill granting a pension to the children of Pleas ant Stoops.'

BENJAMIN B. NAYLOR.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 516.

The motion was, agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, proceeded to consider the bill (H. R. No. 516) for the relief of the widow and minor children of Benjamin B. Naylor, late a pilot on the gunboat Patapsco. By the bill the Secretary of the Inte rior is directed to place the names of the widow and minor children under sixteen years of age of Benjamin B. Naylor, late a pilot on the gun. boat Patapsco, on the pension-roll, at the rate allowed by law to pilots in the Navy, to commence on the 15th day of January, 1865, the

same to be subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws, and paid out of the naval pension fund.

The Committee on Pensions reported the bill with amendments, in line four to strike out the word "minor" before "children," and in line seven to strike out the words "allowed by law to pilots in the Navy," and to insert the words of fifteen dollars per month."

Mr. VAN WINKLE. The committee withdraw those amendments.

The bill was reported to the Senate without amendment, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

SOLOMON ZACHMAN.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 521.

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, proceeded to consider the bill (H. R. No. 521) to place the name of Solomon Zachman on the pensionroll.

The Committee on Pensions reported the bill with amendments. The amendments were in line six after the word "roll" to insert the words "and to pay him;" in line seven to strike out the words "commencing on" and to insert the word "from;” in lines eight and nine to strike out the words "subject to the limitations and requirements of the pension laws," and to insert "to the 6th day of June, 1866, and thereafter at the rate of fifteen dollars per month during his natural life;" so that the bill will read:

That the Secretary of the Interior be authorized and directed to place the name of Solomon Zachman, of Marion county, Ohio, formerly a member of company D, eighty-second Ohio volunteers, on the pension-roll, and to pay him at the rate of eight dollars per month, from the 30th day of May, 1864, to the 6th day of June, 1866, and thereafter at the rate of fifteen dollars per month during his natural life.

The amendments were agreed to.

The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the amendments were concurred in. The amendments were ordered to be engrossed, and the bill to be read a third time. The bill was read the third time, and passed; and its title was amended so as to read, "A bill granting a pension to Solomon Zachman."

JEREMIAH T. HALLETT.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 525.

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, proceeded to consider the bill (H. R. No. 525) granting a pension to Jeremiah T. Hallett. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to place on the pension-roll, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws, the name of Jeremiah T. Hallett, late a member of company I, first United States infantry, commencing March 10, 1864..

The Committee on Pensions reported the bill with an amendment, to insert after the word "infantry," in line seven, the words "and to allow and pay him a pension at the rate of twenty-five dollars per month."

The amendment was agreed to.

The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the amendment was concurred in. The amendment was ordered to be engrossed, and the bill to be read a third time. The bill was read the third time, and passed.

SARAII E, PICKELL.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 659.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 659) granting a pension to Sarah E. Pickell was considered as in Committee of the Whole. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to place on the pension-roll, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws, the name of Sarah E. Pickell, widow of John Pickell, late of the thirteenth regiment New York volunteers, at the rate of seventeen dollars per month, commencing April 6, 1866.

The Committee on Pensions reported an amendment to the bill, to insert after the word || "volunteers" the words "and to pay her a pension."

Mr. VAN WINKLE. The committee withdraw that amendment.

The bill was reported to the Senate without amendment, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

WILLIAM CRAFT.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 661.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 661) granting a pension to the widow and minor children of William Craft was considered as in Committee of the Whole. The bill, as passed by the House of Representatives, directed the Secretary of the Interior to place on the pension-roll the names of the widow and minor children of the late William Craft, late of company H, eighty-second Pennsylvania regiment, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws, to commence April 6, 1865.

The Committee on Pensions reported the bill with amendments. The amendments were in line five to strike out the word "the" and to insert "Susan F. Craft;" and also to strike out the words "and minor children" and to insert "and the child under sixteen years of age;" in line six to strike out the words "the late;" in line seven to strike out the letter "H" and to insert "D;" and in line eight, after the word "regiment," to insert "and to pay her a pension at the rate of ten dollars per month;" so that the bill will read:

That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to place on the pension-roll the names of Susan F. Craft, widow, and the child under sixteen years of age of William Craft, late of company D, eighty-second Pennsylvania regiment, and to pay her a pension at the rate of ten dollars per month, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws, to commence April 6, 1865.

The amendments were agreed to.

The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the ainendments were concurred in. The amendments were ordered to be engrossed, and the bill to be read a third time. The bill was read the third time, and passed; and its title was amended, so as to read, A bill granting a pension to the widow and child of William Craft."

GEORGE R. WATERS.

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Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 662.

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, proceeded to consider the bill (H. R. No. 662) granting a pension to the widow and minor children of George R. Waters. The bill, as it passed the House of Representatives, directed the Secretary of the Interior to place on the pensionroll, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws, the names of the widow and minor children of George R. Waters, late a member of the fiftieth regiment New York engineers, commencing November 17, 1864.

The Committee on Pensions reported the bill

with amendments. The amendments were in line six to insert the name of "Mary Waters,' and also to insert the words "the three," and to strike out the word "minor" before "children," and after the word "children" to insert the words "under sixteen years of age;" in line eight to strike out the word "fiftieth " and insert "fifteenth," and also to strike out the word "engineers" and to insert the words "volunteers, and to pay her a pension at the rate of fourteen dollars per month;" so that the bill will read:

The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the amendments were concurred in.

The amendments were ordered to be engrossed, and the bill to be read a third time. The bill was read the third time, and passed; and its title was amended so as to read, "A bill granting a pension to the widow and children of George R. Waters."

CYRUS D. WOOD.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 663.

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, proceeded to consider the bill (H. R. No. 663) granting a pension to Cyrus K. Wood, the legal representative of Cyrus D. Wood. The bill, as it passed the House of Representatives, proposed to direct the Secretary of the Interior to pay to Cyrus K. Wood, of Auburn, Maine, father and legal representative of Cyrus D. Wood, late of company H, tenth regiment of Maine volunteer infantry, eight dollars per month from the 8th of May, 1863, to the 6th of June, 1866, and twenty-five dollars per month from the 6th. of June, 1866, to the 8th of April, 1867.

The Committee on Pensions reported the bill with amendments. The amendments were, in line four to strike out the words "pay to Cyrus K. Wood, of Auburn, Maine, father and legal representative of," and to insert the words "place on the pension-roll the name of;" and in line seven, after the word "infantry," to insert the words "and to pay to him a pension at the rate of;" so that the bill will read:

That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to place on the pension-roll the name of Cyrus D. Wood, late of company H, tenth regiment of Maine volunteer infantry, and to pay to him a pension at the rate of eight dollars per month from the 8th day of May, 1863, to the 6th day of June, 1866; and twenty-five dollars per month from said 6th day of June, 1866, to the 8th day of April, 1867.

The amendments were agreed to.

The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the amendments were concurred in. It was ordered that the amendments be engrossed, and the bill be read a third time. The bill was read the third time, and passed; and its title was amended so as to read, "A bill granting a pension to Cyrus D. Wood."

CHARLES GOULER.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 664.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 664) granting a pension to the minor children of Charles Gouler was considered as in Committee of the Whole. The Secretary of the Interior is directed by the bill to place on the pension-roll, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws, the names of the minor children of Charles Gouler, late a private in company F, ninth New Hampshire volunteers, commencing April 18, 1866. The bill also repeals an act approved April 18, 1866, entitled "An act granting a pension to Mrs. Emerance Gouler," and an act approved July 13, 1866, entitled "An act amendatory of an act entitled 'An act granting a pension to Mrs. Emerance Gouler."""

The Committee on Pensions reported the bill with amendments. The amendments were in section one, line six, to strike out the words "the minor" before "children" and to insert "Willie, Ellen, and Tellis Gouler," and after the word "children" to insert "under sixteen years of age;" in line eight, after the word volunteers," to insert "and to pay them a pension at the rate of eight dollars per month;" and in line ten to insert "to continue until they severally attain the age of sixteen

That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to place on the pen-years;" so that the first section will read: sion-roll, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws, the names of Mary Waters, the widow, and the three children under sixteen years of age, of George R. Waters, late a member of the fifteenth regiment New York volunteers, and to pay her a pension at the rate of fourteen dollars per month, commencing November 17, 1864.

The amendments were agreed to.

That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to place on the pension-roll, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws, the names of Willie, Ellen, and Tellis Gouler, children under sixteen years of age of Charles Gouler, late a private in company F, ninth New Hampshire volunteers, and to pay them a pension at the rate of eight dollars per month, commenc