Mr. VANWINKLE. When this bill was under consideration some 5 weeks since, or very nearly 5 weeks since, I endeavored to explain the object of this amendment to the Senatebutas that length of time has elapsed, I will do so again as briefly as I can. The amendment is printed and has been on the tables of Senators for that length of time. I will 1st read the section which it is intended to amend, and then I can point out easily the difference between the 2 propositions. Section 14 of the act approved July 4, 1864, provides “That the widows and children of coloredsoldiers who have been or who may be hereafter killed or who have died or may hereafter die of wounds re reived in battle, or who have died or may hereafter die of disease contracted in the military sorvico of the U.S and in the line of dut, shall be entitled to receivethe pensionsnow provied by law without other proofof marriage than that the purties had habitually recognizedeachother asmanand wife, and lived together as such for a definite period next preceding the soldiersenlistment not lessthan 2 years, to beshown by the affidavits of credible witnesses: Provided, however.That such widow and children are free persons: Provided further, That if such parties residedin any State in which their uinr riago may have been legally solemnizod the usual evidence shall be required." I stated on a former occasion that this section which I have just read was drawn up by the late Senfrom Vermont (Mr. Foot) at the 3rd conference meeting upon the bill of which it a part, and that it had seemed to prove satisfactory to all parties. Nevertheless, there are some additions, perhaps, that should be made to it, for it was considered at mid night and in a hurry, and there is also something in the change ofcircumstances since then which has induced me to offer the amendment now before the Senate. One difference is that this amendment is made to cover sailors as well as soldiers. Another is that this 14thsection required the fact of marriage to be proved by the affidavits oferedible witnesses. I have substituted for that “ proof satisfactory to the ComrPension.” I have introduced a clause to meet a case where the wife of such a marriage may have died and where the children are the properparties to receive the pension. While children are alluded to in the original section, it does not seem to cover a case such as I have stated, of the death Of the mother where the children will be the only applicants. I have simply introduced the words, “and the children born of any marriage so proved shall be deemed and taken to be the children of the soldier or sailor party thereto.” The preceding part of the amendment provides that the woman shall be deemed to be the wife. I have also in the proviso to my amendment inserted the words “previously to the enlistment of the former in any State” so as to confine the proviso to the 14thsection of the act of 1864, which is as follows: “That if such parties residedin any State in which their marriage may have been legally solomnized. the usual evidenceshall be requireif." In the events of the war, many of these people were driven from their homes, and some of them into the free States, or States in which a marriage might have been legally solemnized between them; but under the circumstances it is hardly to be expected that they could have had an opportunity to avail themselves of the ceremony. I have therefore changed the words, so as to require simpl that if previous to the enlistment of the soldier they lived in a State where their marriage could have been solemnized, the usual evidence of marriage shall he demanded. Since the close of the war, and since the Freedmens Bureau has been in operation, it has been almost compellin, if it was necessary, but inciting at least an advising, these people who had lived in the relation of man and wife, to have a lo:11 ceremony solemnized between them; an I believe it has been pretty extensively done. This amendment, as the Senate will perceive, is certainly in the interest of their Widows and children; and I believe from my knowledge of the subject and the customs that prevailed among them when they were in a state of slavery, of always having something in the nature of a marriage ceremony between them, and knowing that many of them who were well disposed otherwise, lived as faithful to their marriage vows as other people I think it is but justice to them that these pensions should be secured to them, and that somethin, at any rate, of this nature should be adopte in an amendment to the section which I have read.