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January, 1862 DOUGLASS' MONTHLY. 585 [[line across page]] [[3 ruled columns]] [[column 1]] civil process in the ordinary mode of judicial proceedings, in consequence of the present rebellion, who, during its existence, shall take up arms against the United States, or in any way aid and abet in rebellion. It forfeits the claims of all rebels, and of those who give them aid and comfort, to the persons they hold in slavery ; declares that slaves thus forfeited shall be free, and makes it the duty of the President to provide for the colonization of such as may be willing to go to some tropical country, where they may have the protection of the Government and be secured in all the rights and privileges of freemen.] Mr. CLARK, of N. H., gave notice that he should offer an amendment to the Fugitive Bill. HOUSE—DEC. 5. Mr. LOVEJOY introduced a bill, proposing to repeal all laws requiring passes to persons of color going northward, to take immediate effect. Referred to the proper Committee. HOUSE—DEC. 9. Mr. HUTCHINS, or Ohio, introduced a bill unconditionally abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia. Mr. GURLEY, of Ohio, introduced his bill to confiscate the slaves of rebels, and colonize them. [Mr. STEVENS has modified his resolution so as to read that there can be no solid and permanent Union so long as slavery exists, and that all slaves be proclaimed free, full compensation to be made to loyal masters] SENATE—DEC. 9. Mr. SUMNER presented a resolution that all Memorials and papers on the files of the Senate, relating to the recognition of Liberia and Hayti, be taken from the files and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Agreed to. Mr. CLARK offered a resolution requesting the Marshal of the District to inform the Senate by what authority he keeps slaves belonging to the District in jail because they were refractory. He said he had visited the jail and found a number of slaves of the District confined for no reason, only because their masters or mistresses sent them there because they were refractory. Mr. HARLAN (Rep., Towa) introduced a bill to authorize the President to acquire territory for the settlement of free persons of African descent. HOUSE—DEC. 11. Mr. LOVEJOY offered a resolution instructing the Committee on Foreign Affairs to report a bill establishing diplomatic relations between the United States and Hayti and Liberia. Tabled. Mr. LANSING'S (Rep., N. Y.) preamble and resolution having come up, the following debate took place : Mr. STEVENS—The allegation of Gen. Halleck, as an excuse for his order that fugitive slaves, whom he proposes to exclude from his lines, give information to the enemy, is too bold a pretext to justify. The return of fugitive slaves was commenced by Gen. McClellan, and has been followed by Generals Dix, Kelly, and others. All these cases are a disgrace to the profession of arms. If such return of fugitives have been made by order of the Commanding Generals, they deserve to have their epaulettes cut off their shoulders ; and if it has been done by higher authority, then 'God forgive them, for they know not what they do.' Mr. LOVEJOY expressed his honest convictions that such orders were issued by the Commanding Generals of the army without [[column 2]] orders from the President. While the President does not remove or cashier them, as he (Lovejoy) would, he did not believe the Commanding Generals had power to inforce such inhuman and disgraceful measures. As far as can be ascertained, the testimony of every General in the field is, that the slaves are true, faithful and loyal, while with Gen. McDowell previous to the battle of Bull Run, that Gen. carefully inquired of every black fugitive in regard to the movements and positions of the enemy, and the topography of the country. The Slaves are the most reliable scouts we have, and he thought it most shameful, mean and contemptible for Major-Generals of the army to slander the race already degraded, Mr. BLAIR (Rep. , ' Mo.) said Mr. Stevens had evidently misunderstood Gen. Halleck's order. Gen. H. had informed him he had no idea of doing anything contrary to the law of the last Congress and the policy of the Government. Mr. STEVENS inquired—' Did I not State the order us it was copied Mr. BLAIR—'I think you did, but not at first ag written. It is a gross injustice to Gen. Halleck to say that he has ordered the return of fugitive slaves to disloyal masters.' Mr. LOVEJOY said that he had letters to show that persons of color, under pretence of their being fugitives, are hunted and actually taken from individuals while under their protection. Mr. BLAIR, not pretending to deny the accuracy of Mr. Lovejoy's remarks, stated to the House, that he (Blair) positively knew that Gen. Halleck gave an order to discharge the House, that he (Blair) positively knew that Gen. Halleck gave an order to discharge said fugitives from St. Louis on his (Blair's) application. Mr. LOVEJOV repeated that slaves had actually been delivered up under the order of Gen. Halleck. Mr. FOUKE (Dem., Ill.) said that the officers of the army regarded Gen. Halleck's order as most wise and salutary, He didn't believe in the loyalty of slaves. His (Fouke's) own regiment had been led into an ambuscade by them. The army will stand by Gen. Halleck Mr. LOVEJOY replied that the concurrent testimony of Gens. Lane and Prentice was in contradiction of Mr. Fouke. He would like to know what was done with the negro who drew them into au ambuscade ? Mr. FOUKE replied that he sent out a scout who brought him in, and his case was reported to Gen. McClellan. He did not know what was done with him. He had no time to look after negroes. It' his colleague (Lovejoy) would pay less attention to the negro and more to the wants of the country, we could get along better. Mr. BLAIR said that Gen. Halleck had informed him that he intended to use all the slaves he could to the advantage of the Government, and if it would weaken the enemy, he would take their slaves from them ; but he did not intend that such persons should come into the lines of his camp. Mr. JULIAN (Rep., Ind.) said the policy of the delivery of fugitive slaves was not practiced last Friday. One of them had found his way into the camp of Col. Brown of an Indiana regiment. The officer refused to surrender him until so ordered by his commander. He presumed that the Administration sanctioned such proceedings. Mr. BLAIR inferred differently from what he had read in the President's Message Mr. KELLOGG (Rep., Ill.) presumed to say that the Administration has had nothing to do, directly or indirectly, with that order, and that it would not indicate such a policy to the army. The resolution which caused this debate was tabled by 78 to 64. The resolutions heretofore introduced looking to the future recognition or Hayti and Liberia, on coming up, Mr. Cox (Dem., O.) offered an amendment that the Committee on Foreign Affairs inquire into the expediency of doing so, instead of the direct instructions to report a bill for that purpose. Adopted. [[column 3]] [This Cox advocated his amendment in one of his usual pro-slavery harangues, saying, that instead of bringing up so frequently the pestiferous negro, the country expected Congress to give a Little time to more important subject8.J HOUSE—DEC. 12. Mr. BLAIR, rising to a question of privilege, caused to be read a letter from Gen. Halleck to him, as further explanation of the remarks which he (Blair) made yesterday on Mr. Lovejoy's resolution having in View the revocation of Gen. Halleck's order relative to fugitive slaves. Mr. LOVEJOY, in explanation, said in introducing his resolution, 'he, of course, did not desire to revoke an order that Gen. Halleck did not mean to make. Ile would say, in regard to himself and others, that as an attempt had been made to convey the impression that he and others design to support the war, not against the rebellion, but against slavery, he believed in taking away all the property of the rebels and emancipating their slaves, as the most efficient means of suppressing the rebellion. Others might differ from him as to the policy, but he was not in favor of carrying on the war for the specific and alternative purpose of liberating the slaves. He was against carrying it on for protecting slavery. He was opposed to the army being employed as slave catchers, and to giving orders to throw back on their masters those Who desire to escape. Consequently he thought, if any orders had been given to drive slaves back into the hands of secessionists, or into the hands of slaveholders, whether loyal or not, to be contrary to sound policy of carrying on the war and suppressing the rebellion. In conclusion, he said, if any soldiers went to fight simply for the purpose of returning fugitive slaves, he had only to remark that the army would be stronger without them. The House then proceeded to the consideration of special orders, viz—the various propositions involving the question of emancipation. Mr. Eliot spoke in favor of his resolutions, and contended that as slavery was at the root of this treason, it should be eradicated, and some definite policy inaugurated on the subject of confiscation. SENATE—DEC. 16. Various petitions were presented asking that the slaves of rebels be emancipated. Mr. HALE (Rep., N. H.) offered a resolution that the Committee on Military Affairs be requested to inquire into the expediency of providing a uniform manner for dealing with the slaves of the rebels. Agreed to. Mr. SUMNER offered a resolution that the Committee on Patents inquire if any additional legislation is necessary to secure persons of African descent the right to take out patents. Agreed to. A communication was received from the Marshal of the District, in reply to the resolution heretofore adopted in regard to slaves confined in the Jail. The Marshal said the slaves have been so confined in consequence of an old and uniform custom, which he supposed according to law, but had not made investigation of the subject. Mr. WIISON introduced a bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, compensating the masters. SENATE—DEC. 17. Mr. SUMNER presented several petitions for the emancipation of the slaves of rebels. He also introduced a resolution that the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by legislation that the army shall not be em-