ied
representatives from any of the States. [Great laughter.] Neither is
it to be considered as committing me to all the statements made in the
preamble, [renewed laughter,] some of which are, in my opinion,
without foundation in fact, especially the assertion that the State of
Tennessee has ratified the amendment to the Constitution of the United
States proposed by the Thirty-ninth Congress." [Laughter.]

After the reading of the President's Message, Mr. Stevens said:
"Inasmuch as the joint resolution has become a law by the entire and
cordial approval of the President, [laughter,] I am joint committee on
reconstruction to ask that that committee be discharged from the
further consideration of the credentials of the members elect from the
State of Tennessee, and to move that the same be referred to the
Committee of Elections of this House."

This motion was passed. At a later hour of the same day's session, Mr.
Dawes, of the Committee on Elections, having permission to report,
said that the credentials of the eight Representatives elect from
Tennessee had been examined, and were found in conformity with law. He
moved, therefore, that the gentlemen be sworn in as members of the
House from the State of Tennessee.

Horace Maynard and other gentlemen from Tennessee then went forward
amid applause, and took the oath of office.

On the day following, Joseph S. Fowler was sworn in, and took his seat
as a Senator from Tennessee.

The next day Mr. Fowler presented the credentials of David T.
Patterson as a Senator elect from Tennessee. A motion was made that
these credentials be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, with
instructions to inquire into the qualifications of Mr. Patterson.

The circumstances in this case were peculiar. Mr. Patterson had been
elected circuit judge by the people of East Tennessee in 1854. His
term of office expired in 1862, after Tennessee had passed the
ordinance of secession and became a member of the Southern
Confederacy. He was a firm, avowed, and influential Union man, and in
the exercise of the duties of his office did much to protect the
interests of loyal men. Persons who were opposed to secession, which
with lawless violence was sweeping over the State, felt the importance
of having the offices filled by Union men. Mr. Patterson was urged to
again become a candidate for judge. He reluctantly consented, and was
elected by a large majority over a rebel candidate. Governor Harris