Mr. Kasson, on leave, also introduced a bill (H. R. 36) to equalize the salary of certain officers therein named; which was read a first time. Objection being made to the bill, the question was put, Shall the bill be rejected?

And it was decided in the affirmative.

Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to.

Mr. Kasson submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire. into and report the facts respecting the alleged inhumanity of the enemy in their treatment of our dead and wounded soldiers on the battle-field, and of the prisoners of war in their hands; and that they report as early as possible, with such recommendations for the action of the House as they may think necessary;

Mr. Kasson also submitted the following resolution, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee of Claims be instructed to inquire into the causes of the delay at the offices of the Paymaster General and of the Second Auditor, in the adjustment of and payment of the accounts and claims of deceased and disabled soldiers; and report what legislation, if any, is necessary to facilitate such adjustment and payment.

The same having been read,

Mr. Lovejoy moved to amend the same by striking out the word "Claims," and inserting in lieu thereof the words "Military Affairs;" which motion was disagreed to.

The resolution was then agreed to.

Mr. Kasson also submitted the following resolution; which was read and referred to the select committee on the rules, viz:

Resolved, That an additional standing committee shall be appointed at the commencement of the first session of each Congress, whose duties shall continue until the first session of the ensuing Congress, to consist of five members, to be entitled a committee on national and international coinage, weights, and measures; and to this committee shall be referred bills, resolutions, and communications to this house upon the subjects named in the title of the committee.

Mr. Grinnell submitted the following preamble and resolution; which were read, considered, and agreed to, viz:

Whereas, since the breaking out of the rebellion, prisoners held by the United States have been treated under the rules of war with the most humane consideration; and whereas, on learning that our soldiers held at Richmond were suffering unto death for food and clothing, by the confession of their captors-in the language of Mr. Foote, of the rebel Congress, "the commissary general having starved the enemy's prisoners"-the friends of the prisoners and the soldiers' aid societies continued to forward food and clothing until forbidden by the rebel authorities: Therefore, Resolved, That this is a wanton act of cruelty unprecendented in modern warfare, at war with the humane sentiments of the age, and meets the protest and execration of this house, and can but consign the authors of such infamous deeds to the reprobation of the Almighty.

Mr. Wilson submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and, under the operation of the previous question, agreed to, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Roads and Canals be instructed to inquire into the expediency of constructing a canal around the rapids in the Mississippi river, commencing at Keokuk, Iowa, and the committee have leave to report by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Cobb submitted the following resolution, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing for increasing the rank of the Provost Marshal General of the United States.

Pending which,

Mr. Cobb moved the previous question; which was seconded, and the main question ordered to be put.

When,

On motion of Mr. James C. Allen,

Ordered, That the resolution be laid on the table.

Mr. Sloan submitted the following resolution, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Roads and Canals be instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing, by act of Congress, the construction of a through line of railway between the cities of Washington and New York, and to report by bill or otherwise, at their earliest convenience.

The same having been read,

Mr. Sloan moved the previous question.

Pending which,

On motion of Mr. Holman,

Ordered, That the resolution be laid on the table.

Mr. Cornelius Cole, by unanimous consent, presented joint resolutions of the legislature of the State of California, as follows, to wit:

I. In relation to the boundary line of said State; which was referred to the Committee on the Territories.

II. In regard to a weekly mail in Tehanna county; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

III. In regard to Indian supplies and reservations; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

IV. In regard to the tax on native wines; which was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

V. In regard to a weekly mail in Tulare county; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Ordered, That the said resolutions be printed.

Mr. McBride submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads be directed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a post route from Fort Bridger, Utah Territory, by way of Bannock city, Idaho Territory, to Auburn, and thence to Dalles city, in the State of Oregon, and of providing for the conveyance of the mails along the same by a daily service in four-horse coaches, and report to this house thereon.

Mr. Kinney submitted the following preamble and resolution, viz: Whereas the government is involved in a terrible struggle for its existence, forced upon our great and hitherto unprecedentedly prosperous nation, without cause or justification, by men in armed rebellion against the most enlightened and liberal government of the world; and whereas the gov ernment is in need of the services of all the soldiers who have been raised since the breaking out of the rebellion; and whereas a number of companies of the California volunteers are now stationed at Camp Douglas, within the city limits of Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, far removed from usefulness and the active scenes of war: Therefore,

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the causes which have led to the stationing of a large standing army among a peaceful and loyal people.

The same having been read,

The question was put, Will the House agree thereto ?

And it was decided in the negative.

Mr. Holman moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered; which motion was disagreed to.

Mr. George E. Cole, on leave, introduced a bill (H. R. 37) to endow a military professorship in the University of Washington Territory; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. George E. Cole also, on leave, introduced a bill (H. R. 38) to amend an act entitled An act donating public lands to the several States and Territories which may provide colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts," approved July 2, 1862; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. Bennet submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Territories be instructed to consider the justice, necessity, and propriety of equalizing the salaries of the United States judges in the Territories of Colorado, New Mexico, and Idaho, and to report by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Spalding, on leave, introduced a bill (H. R. 39) explanatory of an act entitled "An act for enrolling and calling out the national forces, and for other purposes," approved March 3, 1863; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

The States and Territories having all been called for resolutions,

The Speaker announced as the business next in order resolutions which were laid over on account of debate arising thereon.

When

Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne moved that the House resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

Pending which,

On motion of Mr. Cox, at 1 o'clock and 55 minutes p. m., the House adjourned.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1863.

The following memorials, petitions, and other papers were laid upon the Clerk's table, under the one hundred and thirty-first rule of the House:

By Mr. William G. Brown: The certificate of John B. Ailworth, clerk of the county court of Accomack county, State of Virginia, certifying to the election of Joseph Segar as a representative in Congress according to the laws of Virginia; which was referred to the Committee of Elections.

By Mr. Hotchkiss: The memorial of Garrett Hullfish, praying compensation for property destroyed by United States troops at Haymarket, in the State of Virginia.

By Mr. Pomeroy: The petition of Darius S. Cole, praying for the payment of a judgment rendered in his favor by the Court of Claims.

By Mr. Holman: The petition of J. O. Armes, praying compensation for property destroyed by the United States troops at Anandale, Virginia.

Ordered, That the said memorial and petitions be referred to the Committee of Claims.

By Mr. Gooch: The memorial of Margaret L. Stevens, widow of General Isaac I. Stevens-heretofore presented January 12, 1863; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

By Mr. John H. Rice: The petition of Julia A. Jemison, widow of Brigadier General Charles D. Jemison-heretofore referred February 7, 1863; which was referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions.

By Mr. Edward H. Rollins: The remonstrance of the Norwalk Lock Com

pany of Norwalk, Connecticut, against the extension of the patent of John P. Sherwood on door locks; which was referred to the Committee on Patents. By Mr. Williams: The petition of citizens of Armstrong county, State of Pennsylvania, praying for the increase of the pay of non-commissioned officers and privates of the army.

By Mr. Pomeroy: The petition of certain soldiers of the third regiment of artillery of the State of New York, praying for the allowance of bounty. By Mr. Hooper: The petition of certain soldiers of the fiftieth regiment of Massachusetts volunteers, praying for the allowance of bounty.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

By Mr. Hall: The petition of Commodore William D. Porter, in behalf of himself, officers, and men of the iron-clad gunboat Essex, praying for bounty. By Mr. William G. Brown: The memorial of Constance Read, widow of Commander Abner Read, of the United States navy, praying for the payment of certain prize money due her husband.

Ordered, That the said memorial and petition be referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

By Mr. Deming: The memorial of Charles Lanman, praying for the printing of his Dictionary of Congress by the government; which was referred to the Committee on Printing.

By Mr. Upson: The petition of clergymen of Niles district on the Michigan Conference, praying that ministers of the gospel may be exempted from liability to do military duty; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

The Speaker laid before the House the memorial of John W. Crisfield, in relation to the election of John A. J. Creswell, as a representative from the State of Maryland; which was referred to the Committee of Elections.

The Speaker also, by unanimous consent, laid before the House the annual report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey; which was laid on the table and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne submitted the following resolution; which was read and referred to the Committee on Printing, viz:

Resolved, That there be printed five thousand extra copies of the report. of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey for 1863, three thousand of which shall be for distribution by the Superintendent, and two thousand for the use of the House.

The Speaker having proceeded, as the regular order of business, to call the committees for reports,

Mr. Stevens, from the Committee of Ways and Means, reported a bill (H. R. 40) making appropriations for the consular and diplomatic expenses of the government for the year ending June 30, 1865; which was read a first and second time, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Alexander H. Rice, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, reported a joint resolution (H. Res. 12) tendering the thanks of Congress to Captain John Rodgers, of the United States navy, for eminent skill and zeal in the discharge of his duties; which was read a first and second time.

Pending the question on its engrossment,

Mr. Alexander H. Rice moved the previous question; which was seconded and the main question ordered, and, under the operation thereof, the resolu tion was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

Being engrossed, it was accordingly read the third time and passed. Ordered, That the Clerk request the concurrence of the Senate therein. Mr. H. Winter Davis, from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, reported the

following resolution; which was read and referred to the Committee on Printing, viz:

Resolved, That ten thousand additional copies of the papers on the subject of foreign affairs, which accompanied the President's annual message, be printed for the use of this house.

Mr. William G. Steele, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported that the committee had examined and found truly enrolled a joint resolution of the following title, viz:

H. Res. 1. Joint resolution of thanks to Major General Ulysses S. Grant, and the officers and soldiers who have fought under his command during this rebellion; and providing that the President of the United States shall cause a medal to be struck, to be presented to Major General Grant, in the name of the people of the United States of America.

When

The Speaker signed the same.

On motion of Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne,

Ordered, That when the House adjourns, it adjourn until Monday next. All the committees having been called,

The Speaker next proceeded to call the States and Territories for resolutions.

When

Mr. William G. Brown submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary inquire into the expediency of constituting West Virginia into a judicial district; and that they report by bill or otherwise.

Mr. McBride submitted the following preamble and resolution, viz:

Whereas no appropriation was made at the last session of Congress to pay the expenses of the territorial government of Idaho Territory: Therefore, Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means be requested to report a bill at an early day providing for the same.

The same having been read,

On motion of Mr. Morrill,

Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. Mr. Wilson submitted the following resolutions; which were severally read, considered, and agreed to, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Invalid Pensions be instructed to inquire what legislation is necessary to secure to widows and legal representatives of persons who have died, or may hereafter die, after discharge from the military service of the United States, of wounds received or disease contracted in said service, and in the line of duty, the same pension and bounty allowed in other cases, and report by bill or otherwise.

Resolved, That the Committee on Public Lands be instructed to inquire what legislation is necessary to enable persons in the military or naval service of the United States to avail themselves, while engaged in such service, of the benefits of the homestead act, and report by bill or otherwise. Mr. Price submitted the following preamble and resolution, viz: Whereas, by treaty stipulations now existing, this government is prohibited from establishing or maintaining an armament of any kind on our northern lakes; and whereas a vast extent of fertile country and an im mense and constantly increasing commerce is thus, exposed, in the event of a war with Europe, to invasion and destruction; and whereas the rapidly increasing surplus agricultural products of the northwest require an outlet by water to the Atlantic seaboard; and whereas it is believed that the increased stimulus which would be given to commerce and agriculture by opening a water communication between the Mississippi river and