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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journal of the Confederate Congress --SATURDAY, February 23, 1861.
OPEN SESSION.
The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.
Prayer by Right Rev. Bishop Andrew.
The Journal of yesterday was read and approved.
Mr. Anderson presented the following communication, which on his motion was ordered to be entered in full upon the Journal; which is done, viz:
Montgomery, Ala., February 23, 1861.
To the Hons. Jackson Morton, James B. Owens, and J. Patton Anderson,
Deputies in Congress from the State of Florida.
Gentlemen: I have the pleasure herewith to furnish you with a copy of the joint resolutions recently adopted by the general assembly expressive of their hearty approval of the election of the Hons. Jefferson Davis and Alexander H. Stephens as President and Vice-President of the Confederate States of America.
Owing to the irregularity of the mails, I have deemed it advisable to furnish you with the same in advance of the regular certified copy which you will doubtless receive.
Very respectfully,D. P. HOLLAND.
Joint resolutions.
Resolved, That the general assembly of Florida have heard with pleasure of the selection by the convention at Montgomery, of the Hons. Jefferson Davis and Alexander H. Stephens as President and Vice-President of the Southern Confederation; and that in the selection of these two distinguished statesmen, they recognize that burial of former political differences which is so much to be desired by all true lovers of their country.
Resolved further, That this general assembly recognizes the Hon. Jefferson Davis as Chief Magistrate of the Southern Confederation, and as such, as being entitled to exercise the same powers and privileges at all points, and in all respects within the limits of the State of Florida, as the President of the late United States could have exercised while Florida was a member of that Confederation.
Adopted at Tallahassee, Fla., February 14, 1861.
Mr. Wright presented a design for a flag for the Confederate States; which was referred to the Committee on the Flag and Seal.
Mr. Cobb, from the Committee on Printing, reported
A bill in relation to public printing;
which was read twice, placed on the Public Calendar, and ordered to be printed.
And then,
On motion of Mr. Hale, the Congress went into secret session.
SECRET SESSION.
Congress having resolved itself into secret session,
The first general order being
A bill to raise money for the support of the Government.
On motion of Mr. Barnwell, the same was recommitted.
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The next regular order being
A bill to be entitled "An act supplemental to an act to exempt certain commodities therein named, and for other purposes, passed February 18, 1861;"
On motion of Mr. Barnwell, the same was referred to the Committee on Finance.
Congress resumed the consideration of
A bill in relation to the slave trade, and to punish persons offending therein.
The third section thereof being reported as follows:
Mr. Barry moved to strike out the word "felony," where it first occurs, and insert in lieu thereof the words "high misdemeanor."
Mr. Bartow demanded the question; which was seconded and the amendment was lost, the States voting as follows:
Yea: Florida and South Carolina, 2.
Nay: Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, 3.
Georgia being divided.
At the instance of the State of South Carolina, the yeas and nays of the entire body were called for and recorded as follows:
Yea: Florida and South Carolina, 2.
Nay: Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, 3.
Divided: Georgia, 1.
Mr. Barry moved further to amend the section by striking out the following words as they occur, to wit:
shall be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary or common jail of the State where the conviction may be had, where by the laws of the State such penitentiary or jail may be used for that purpose, and if not, in such other place as may be provided by law, for a term not less than ten nor longer than twenty years; and
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Also to strike out the word "moreover," where it next occurs, and to insert after the word "dollars," at the end of the sentence where it first occurs, the following:
In the event the person or persons convicted under this section shall fail, refuse, or be unable to pay the fine imposed upon conviction, he or they shall be liable to imprisonment in the common jail of the State where the conviction may be had, where by the laws of the State such jail may be used for the purpose, and if not, in such other place as may be provided by law, for a term not less than two nor more than five years;
which motion to strike out and add to was lost.
Mr. Chilton moved to strike out where they first occur the words "shall be guilty of a felony;" which was agreed to, the States voting as follows:
Yea: Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and South Carolina, 4.
Nay: Louisiana, 1.
Georgia being divided.
On motion of Mr. Brooke, the words "if there be no penitentiary" were inserted immediately after the word "jail," where it first occurs.
Mr. Withers moved to strike out the last sentence of said section, the same being in the following words, to wit:
For all offenses under this act each negro, mulatto, or person of color illegally imported, or [knowingly] sold, purchased, received, concealed, or removed as aforesaid shall be held and considered as a separate offense.
Pending which motion, on motion of Mr. Brooke, the further consideration of the bill was postponed till Wednesday next.
During the discussion of the bill, the following message was received from the President:
Executive Department,
Montgomery, Ala., February 23, 1861.
Mr. President: The President has on this day approved and signed
An act to prescribe the rates of postage in the Confederate States of America, and for other purposes.
ROBERT JOSSELYN,
Private Secretary.
Mr. Waul offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That we suggest that all officers who have resigned or may resign their places in the Army and Navy of the United States on account of their attachment to the Confederate States, or either of them, to file their applications where they desire service in the Army and Navy of the Confederate States as early as convenient with the Secretaries of War and Navy, and that we recommend all such applications to the favorable consideration of the Secretaries of War and Navy and of the President;
which was adopted, and on motion of Mr. Waul the injunction of secrecy thereon was removed.
On motion of Mr. Kenner, the injunction of secrecy was removed from the act to declare and establish the free navigation of the Mississippi River.
Mr. Shorter, from the Committee on Engrossment, reported as correctly engrossed and enrolled
An act for the relief of William P. Barker; and
A resolution to provide an executive mansion.
And then,
On motion of Mr. Kenner,
Congress adjourned until Monday at 12 o'clock.
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