If it should seem that one subject -- the negro question -- occupied too much of the time and attention of Congress, it must be borne in mind that this subject was thrust upon Congress and the country by the issue of the Rebellion, and must be definitely and finally settled before the nation can be at rest. "Unsettled questions have no pity on the repose of mankind." No attempt has been made to present a journal of Congressional proceedings, giving a detail of what was said and done from day to day in the Senate and the House. There was always some great national question under consideration in one or the other House, forming an uninterrupted series of discussions and transactions. To present these in review is to give a history of the Thirty-Ninth Congress, since they distinguish it from all its predecessors, and make it historical. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I.--Opening Scenes. (Page 13-21.) Momentous Events of the Vacation -- Opening of the Senate -- Mr. Wade -- Mr. Sumner -- Mr. Wilson -- Mr. Harris -- Edward McPherson -- As Clerk of the preceding Congress, he calls the House to order -- Interruption of Roll-call by Mr. Maynard -- Remarks by Mr. Brooks -- His Colloquy with Mr. Stevens -- Mr. Colfax elected Speaker -- His Inaugural Address -- The Test Oath. CHAPTER II.--Locations of the Members and Cast of the Committees. (Page 22-32.) Importance of surroundings -- Members sometimes referred to by their seats -- Senator Andrew Johnson -- Seating of the Senators -- Drawing in the House -- The Senate Chamber as seen from the Gallery -- Distinguished Senators -- The House of Representatives -- Some prominent characters -- Importance of Committees -- Difficulty in their appointment -- Important Senate Committees -- Committees of the House. CHAPTER III.--Formation of the Joint Committee on Reconstruction. (Page 33-49.) Lack of Excitement -- Cause -- The Resolution -- Dilatory Motions -- Yeas and Nays -- Proposed Amendments in the Senate -- Debate in the Senate -- Mr. Howard -- Mr. Anthony -- Mr. Doolittle -- Mr. Fessenden -- Mr. Saulsbury -- Mr. Hendricks -- Mr. Trumbull -- Mr. Guthrie -- Passage of the Resolution in the Senate -- Yeas and Nays -- Remarks of Mr. Stevens on the Amendment of the Senate -- Concurrence of the House -- The Committee appointed. CHAPTER IV.--Suffrage in the District of Columbia. (Page 50-94.) Duty of Congress to Legislate for the District of Columbia -- Suffrage Bill introduced into the House -- Speech by Mr. Wilson -- Mr. Boyer -- Mr. Schofield -- Mr. Kelly -- Mr. Rogers -- Mr. Farnsworth -- Mr. Davis -- Mr. Chanler -- Mr. Bingham -- Mr. Grinnell -- Mr. Kasson -- Mr. Julian -- Mr. Thomas -- Mr. Darling -- Mr. Hale's Amendment -- Mr. Thayer -- Mr. Van Horn -- Mr. Clarke -- Mr. Johnson -- Mr. Boutwell. CHAPTER V.--The Freedmen.