Skip Skip PETITIONS and MEMORIALS.R. WADE. I hold in my hand a very able and welldrawn memorial of the society of Friends who met lately in Baltimore, in which they have summed up what they believe to be the hardships and evils under which the freedmen are laboring in divers arts of the Union and what they conceive to the remedy, an they pray that Congress may adopt such 10 slation as will remedy those evils. I move that the memorial be referred to the joint special ComReconstruction. The motion was agreed to. Mr. SHERMAN presented apetition of citizens of the U.S., praying that there be grantedto the soldiers and their legal representatives of the last war 160 acres of unappropriated lands belonging to the U.S.; which was referred to the ComMilAffrs . Mr. SUMNER. I offer a petition from citizens of Massachusetts, and, as I have many similarypetitions to offer, I will call the particular attention of the Senate to its prayer. It sets forth very briefly several propositions: 1st, that the people in the rebellious districts having by their own acts vacated their rights as citizens and as State organizations, and having by act of Congress been declared alien ene mies, have us yet no rioht and are persons to be represente in Congress; improperty at the policy of the Executive, in assuming to restore civil authority through military governments without the aid and a vice of Congress is contrary to the spirit of our institutions; that it is the right and duty of Congress, at the earliest possible moment, to assume control over the late rebellious districts, and to provide provisional governments for the same in order that sovereignty may be restored at an early period, and a truly RFG be guarantied to every State; that before recognition of the late rebellious districts as States and their admission to the national councils a due regard must be had for the rights of the loyal people, and for security for the future, which cannot be obtained by oaths; that while we may renounce indemnity for the past, irreversible guarantees for the future must einsisted upon, and should be obtained before readmittin rebels to equal rights with loyal persons; at the States actually cooperating and supporting the national Government, as represented in Congress and in Legislatures, constitute at all times a constitutional uoriim to make laws and to amend the constitution, any number of exStates, having no constitutional representatives and legislauros, not withstanding; that emancipation is not complete as long as the black codes exist; therefore the petitioners pray Congress to take measures to provide provisional civil overuments for the late rebellious districts, an as security for the future, to exact irreversible guarantees among which should be, 1st, the unity and sovereignty of the Republic; 2ndly, enfranchisement and equaity before the laws; 3rdly, sec 1; of the national debt; 4thly, the rejehaon of the rebgl debt; fitthly compulso education; and 6thly, national eace arid trau uillity by impartia suffrage. offer this pe from citizens of Massachusetts, and move its reference to the JtCommee having the subject of the condition of the rebel States under consideration. The motion was agreed to.