Congressional.
Washington, Jan. 28.
--Senate.--Mr. Douglas introduced a bill amending the Fugitive Slave laws of 1793 and 1850.
Cmpromise memorials were read and referred.
The Chair announced the withdrawal of Senator Iverson, of Georgia, who stated in his communication that if Georgia was permitted to leave the Union in peace she would make an equitable division of the Federal assets; but if war ensued, she would abolish both public and private debts; if peaceable, there might be a hope of reconstruction; if war, then all hopes of the Union are at an end.
A message was received from the President, enclosing the Virginia resolutions.
The President urges the importance of the subject on Congress, and eulogizes the action of Virginia.
He appeals to Congress to carry out her recommendation.
Mr. Mason urged that they be printed.
He said the object of Virginia was first to secure peace, and, second, to obtain the rights of all the States in the Union; or, failing in this, to obtain a reconstruction, on a new basis.
The resolutions were ordered to be printed.
Mr. Hemphill read a speech, defending the right of secession, particularly referring to Texas, who, he believed, would secede.
After the consideration of private bills, the Senate
Adjourned.
House.--Mr. Rice presented the mammoth peace memorial from Massachusetts.
When it was laid on the Clerk's desk, the National flag which enveloped it was hailed with applause from the floor and galleries, Messrs Ed. Everett and others composing the committee who brought it from Boston.
Several amendments to the Constitution were proposed and referred.
Mr. Hughes offered a resolution, which was adopted, looking to the retrocession of the District of Columbia, except the city of Washington, to Maryland.
The President's message, enclosing the Virginia resolutions, was received.
They were laid over until to-morrow.
The report of the Crisis Committee being up, Mr. Pryor, of Virginia, made an eloquent speech in behalf of the rights of the South.
He assumed that the Union is already dissolved.
Peace or war is now the only issue before the country.
By their refusal to concede and threats to coerce, the Republicans would involve the country in war. In expectation of this catastrophe, the South is sustained by the conviction that posterity will acquit it of the responsibility, and hold the North alone responsible for this calamity to the country.
The North has over thrown the Constitution and established the government of a despotic and tyrannical majority over the South.
The latter is contending for constitutional freedom and the right of self-government.
In this sense the cause of the South is the cause of civil liberty.
The South would accept satisfactory guarantees, but the dominant party reject all overtures, and are preparing to enforce submission to their sway.--In view of the diverse interests of the two sections, he inculcated the policy of a peaceable separation.
In conclusion, he said instead of vainly essaying to counteract the designs of nature, let us heed the voice of reason; instead of lamenting the rupture of an artificial tie as involving the ruin of all our hopes, let us lean on the wisdom of Providence, persuaded that as He has already distinguished the epoch of the revolution as the most glorious in the annals of America.
He intends still farther to advance the cause of freedom and civilization by means of another dissevered nationality.
On motion of Mr. Grow, the rules were suspended, and the House concurred in the Senate's amendments to the Kansas bill.
It now only wants the President's signature to become a law.
The District of Columbia militia bill was passed.
Adjourned. 