Latest Northern news.
the Mason-Slidell affair
interesting news items.
&c., &c., &c.
From late Northern papers — some as recent as the 18th and 19th instant--We call the following interesting items:
Congressional proceedings — the negro question.
From the New York
Herald, of the 18th inst., we obtain the following synopsis of the proceedings of the
Yankee Congress on Tuesday, the 17th:
In the United States Senate yesterday the
House bill for raising a volunteer force for the defence of
Kentucky, was referred to the Military Committee.
Several petitions were presented for emancipating the slaves of rebels.
A resolution requesting the
Commissioner of Public Buildings to inform the Senate by what authority a portion of the
Capitol had been converted into a bakery, was agreed to. A resolution that the Army shall not be employed in the surrender of fugitive slaves was laid over.
Resolutions asking why passengers from New York to
San Francisco were required to take out passports, and that a copy of the correspondence between
Generals Scott and
Patterson be furnished to the Senate, were agreed to.
Mr. Lane called up the resolution respecting the
Secretary of War furnishing the Senate with copies of the orders for building barracks for the
Kansas troops, and in a speech criticised the action of the
Government in the conduct of the war, animadverting severely on the inactivity of our troops, and saying that it was a military necessity our army should occupy the rebel States.--
Mr. Lane contended that the
Government should take possession of the slaves, in order to force their masters into submission.
He was replied to by
Mr. Carlile, who said he was convinced that the
Government had made a great mistake in not appointing
Mr. Lane commander of the army.
He (
Mr. Carlisle) contended that the war was a constitutional one, and the army could not be turned into negro-catchers.
After a few remarks from
Mr. McDougall in opposition, on motion of
Mr. Grimes, the resolution was laid on the table.
The Chair appointed
Messrs Wade, or
Ohio,
Chandler, of
Michigan, and
Johnson, of
Tennessee, as the committee to investigate the general conduct of the war.
In the
House Mr. Bingham, from the Judiciary Committee, reported back the joint resolutions requiring the
Provost Court at
Alexandria, Va., to hold the property of rebels until Congress take further action on the subject.
The resolution then passed.--The resolutions of
Mr. Eliot, for the emancipation of slaves, being the special order, were then resumed
Mr. Harding offered some points in opposition to them — that Congress had no constitutional power to pass any bills on the subject, that the Administration stands pledged against all interference with slavery, that legislation is forbidden on the subject by every principle of sound policy, and that they would inaugurate a disgraceful war, involving loyal and disloyal in its horrors.
On motion of
Mr. Kellogg, the resolutions, and all others relating to the subject in the same special order, were referred to the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 77 against 57.
Mr. Van Wyck, chairman of the investigating Committee, submitted resolutions against making any further payments on account of the charter of the steamboat
Cataline, to adjust the claim against the
Government for five thousand
Hall carbines purchased by
Gen. Fremont, and stating that the practice of employing irresponsible parties for the performance of public duties.
and the purchase of supplies by private contracts, are injurious to the public service, and meet the unqualified disapprobation of the
House.
The consideration of the report was postponed.
A bill was reported from the
Foreign Affairs Committee appropriating one thousand dollars to pay the owners of the British ship
Perthshire for losses incurred in consequence of detention by our blockading fleet off
Mobile in June last, our naval officers at the time acting on a misunderstanding of the circumstances.
The bill was finally passed, but not until after it had given rise to a somewhat lengthy and discursive debate.
A bill was reported from the Naval Committee to authorize the
Secretary of the Navy to construct twenty iron-clad steam gunboats, at a cost of from five hundred thousand to six hundred thousand dollars each, which, after a brief debate, was laid over for further consideration, and the
House adjourned.
Skirmish between Gen. Blenker's division and the Confederates--capture of Threes Yankee soldiers — Shooting of Lieutenant Janeville.
The
Washington correspondent of the New York
Herald, dated 17th December, communicates the following items:
‘
This afternoon the pickets of
Gen. Blenker's division were driven in by the enemy.
Blenker's gallant boys were soon on the march, and the rebel hirelings were driven back in dismay, many of the enemy being killed.--The news reached the city too late to-night to enter into details.
Early this morning
Captain Johnson, 8th Pennsylvania reserve, came to
Gen. McCall's headquarters, having been on a scouting expedition all night with a cavalry company.
They went as far as
Difficult creek, nearly three miles outside our picket lines.
A squad of mounted rebels lay in ambush for them, waited until they advanced within shooting distance, then fired, plunged their spurs into their horses, and shortly disappeared.
Our men returned the fire and pursued them a short distance, and then wheeled about, deeming it prudent to return.
None of our men were wounded, and, as far as known, the firing on our side was likewise ineffectual.
Yesterday morning eight men, three from the 2d and five from the 4th New Jersey regiments in
Gen. Kearney's brigade,
General Franklin's division, left their respective companies, which were on picket duty at Edsell's Hill, and went to a house between Burkes station and
Anandale.
While there, apparently in obediences to a signal by the occupant, a body of about 150 rebel cavalry suddenly came upon them, and three who were in the house were taken prisoners.
The other five escaped.
A reconnaissance was made to-day by a squadron of the First New Jersey cavalry, belonging to
Gen. Heintzleman's division, under command of
Captain Shellnish.
A portion of the squadron, commanded by
Lieut. Janeville, of company D, of
Jersey City, was ordered to proceed to the
Bone Mills, to the left of
Springfield Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, about seven miles from the headquarters of
Gen. Heintzleman.
The company there halted, when the
Lieutenant, with an orderly, proceeded two miles beyond.
On attempting to return they found themselves surrounded by rebel infantry.
The
Lieutenant was shot in six places and the horse of the orderly killed.
The orderly made his escape.
The company in reserve, hearing the firing, proceeded to render assistance, and on its approach the enemy fled, leaving the
Lieutenant behind, after robbing him of his small arms and nearly all his clothing.
He was brought into camp, and was still alive at eight o'clock to-night.
’
