Congressional.
Washington, Feb. 21.
--Senate--Mr. Bragg presented his credentials, as successor of Senator Clingman, from the State of North Carolina for the next term.
Mr. Hale's resolution for the discontinuance of the postal service in the seceded States was taken up.
Mr. Hunter said if these States were within the Union the Government had no power to deprive them of the right, under the Constitution, of mail facilities.
He disliked the word insurrection — it looked to coercion, and was the first step to war and all its horrors.
If a reconstruction could not be made, the best step was to have a peaceable separation.
If that was understood to-day, commerce and trade would resume its regular channels, and the country would again be prosperous.
Mr. Doolittle said this was not a coercive measure, but was one of peace.
Mr. Hunter was glad to learn that the Senator from Wisconsin did not vote for this bill as a coercive measure.
He hoped no party would commit itself to coercion; but, if such was not the intention, he saw no need of the bill.
Mr. Fegenden defended the policy of the bill.
Mr. Douglas thought the measure one of peace, and believed the offensive terms should be stricken out. He thought there were as many disunionists on the Northern side as on the Southern side of the Chamber.
He believed there was a plot to break up the Union under the pretence of preserving it.
Mr. Wade advocated the bill.
He hoped its friends would not kill it by talking about it.
Mr. Green opposed the bill.
At the hour of one o'clock the Senate went into secret session.
The Senate in Executive session confirmed a large number of minor appointments in the army and navy, postmasters, &c.
House.--The expenditures of the War Department for last year were laid before the House.
A motion was made and agreed to that when the House adjourns it will adjourn till Saturday.
Mr. Davis, from the Select Committee, reported a resolution involving the censure of the Secretary of the Navy, for accepting the resignations of the officers from the seceded States.
Mr. Branch made a minority report.
John Cochrane dissented from the majority report.
Mr. Stanton's Force bill was then taken up.
Mr. Bocock concluded his speech, commenced yesterday.
He predicted that if the bill passed, the border slave States would, within sixty days, join the South.
He denounced and execrated the bill.
Mr. Howard responded in favor of the bill.
Further consideration of the bill was postponed till Monday.
The report of the Committee of Thirty-Three was taken up.
Mr. Barnett made a speech against the Republicans, but protested against secession.
The Washington and Oregon Territorial war debt bill was discussed.
During the debate on the Oregon and Washington Territorial war debt bill, Mr. Haskin proposed to leave the settlement of accounts to Gens. Scott and Wool.
Mr. Pryor objected, saying that Gen. Wool proposed to carry the fire and sword into the South, and Gen. Scott had inaugurated a military despotism in Washington, and in-tended to invade even his native State; but he could not be like Cariolanus, having the mothers and daughters of the Common wealth to meet him with tears entreating him to stay his hand — they would meet him as true Virginians should. 