Mr. HENDERSON. Knowing the difficulty on this subject, at an earl period of the session I offered a resolution instructing the ComMilAffr to inquire into it. should like to amend this provision so as to include claims for bounty and back pay, because the some proof that is good in the one case ought to be good in the other. Mr. President, I will state that not as much difficulty can arise in this matter, according to my knowledge of the subject, as Senators seem to think. I know that it is sometimes the case that negroes have a lurality of wives, or that they cohabit with a p urality, but I believe they regard, as white people do, some particular one as the wife. Hdo not see the ifliculties to spring from this provision that Senators seem to fear. I have heard of no difficulty in all the adjudications of this question. I have heard of no contradictory claims. I have heard of no 2 women claiming to be the wife of the same negro, although we had a large number of negro soldiers from my State. I believe the claims are ver satisfactorily adjusted here; and it is as well nown in communities where the negroes live which is the wife, and who has been regarded as the wife for the last 6. 8, orten years, as it is perhaps in the case of white people. It was at 1st required by the 2nd Audi tor that record evience of the marria. O should be filed; that is, that a certificate should be filed. It is well known that in the slave States no such certificate was ever authorized in regard to colored persons. It was only authorized in the case of white persons.The distinctive word “white” ran through all our laws. That evidence of the marriage could not be furnished, but my impression is that there is no incon venience from the rule now provided. I desire towindicate the negroes from the charge of practical Mormonism brought against them for I do not believe the evil exists to 1/2 of the extent imlied by the argument of the Senfrom Kentucky and other Senators. I think no difficulty will arisefrom the adoptionof the amendment as it is.