By Johnson's Independent agency.
Congressional.
Washington, December 21.
--Senate.--Mr. Howard, of Michigan, (Republican,) offered a resolution calling upon the President to inform the Senate on what charges Jefferson Davis is confined, and why he is not brought to trial.
The resolution was adopted.
The following Committee on Reconstruction on the part of the Senate was announced: --Messrs. Fessenden, of Maine; Grimes, of Iowa; Howard, of Michigan; Johnson, of Maryland, and Williams, of Oregon.
Mr. Sumner presented the petition of colored citizens of Tennessee, protesting against the reception of the Tennessee delegation until the recognition of the rights of the colored persons by that State.
He also presented a petition of the white citizens of the District of Columbia, asking the extension of the right of suffrage to the colored people of the District.
Mr. Sumner stated that the white people of this district had for years been squatting upon the civil and political rights of the colored people, and he was glad this state of things was about to end. The petition was referred.
Mr. Wilson introduced a bill to guarantee freedom to the inhabitants of the United States by repealing all laws based upon distinction of race or color.
Referred to the Special Committee on Reconstruction.
Mr. Wilson denied that there was any quarrel between the President and the majority party in the Senate.
He did not believe that Mr. Johnson would desert the party that placed him where he is, nor that he would prove untrue to the great principles which had triumphed.
He did not believe there was any possibility of the Democratic party coming into power through the agency of President Johnson.
House.--Delos R. Ashley, representative from Nevada, appeared and qualified.
Mr. Hubbard, of Connecticut, (Republican,) offered a resolution, which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, asserting that the United States should never recognize any Government imposed on any nation on this continent by the arms of any European Power.
It was resolved that the committee for the District of Columbia inquire into the expediency of providing for the election and admission into this House of a delegate from this District, with the powers and privileges similar to those of delegates from the organized territories.
Mr. Finck, of Ohio, (Democrat,) made a speech against the radicals and denying the theory of Stevens, that the Southern States were conquered territories, and therefore must submit to the requirements of the conqueror.
He contended that the object being attained for which the war was prosecuted, namely, to secure obedience to the laws in the Southern States, and especially after the evidences of their loyalty, they were entitled to representation.
Mr. Raymond, of New York, (Republican,) took issue with Mr. Stevens, denying that the South was to be considered as having been a belligerent Power, and that the States had placed themselves beyond the pale of the Union.
It is true that the ordinance of secession contemplated a severance from the other States, but the Southern arms having been defeated in the field, these ordinances, were ineffective.
He declared himself opposed to the confiscation acts, which were not only oppressive, but unchristian.
He was disposed to do everything that a patriot should to restore peace and harmony between the sections, and would gladly welcome back representatives from the Southern States; but, as a preliminary, would require new guarantees, including the abolition of slavery and the repudiation of the rebel debt.
Both Houses adjourned until the 5th of January. 