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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 --FOURTH DAY WEDNESDAY, July 24, 1861.
OPEN SESSION.
Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Woodbridge.
Mr. Bocock of Virginia announced the presence of Mr. James M. Mason, a Delegate from the State of Virginia, who appeared, was qualified, and took his seat.
Mr. Russell of Virginia announced the presence of Mr. Roger A. Pryor, a Delegate from the State of Virginia, who appeared, was qualified, and took his seat.
Mr. Macfarland of Virginia, chairman of the select committee appointed to confer with the citizens of Richmond in relation to the wounded at Manassas, reported as follows, to wit:
The committee to whom was referred the resolutions approving the prompt and patriotic efforts of the mayor of the city of Richmond in behalf of the wounded in the glorious victory at Manassas, and tendering the cooperation of Congress in his beneficent plan, respectfully report:
That in a public meeting of the citizens of Richmond, convened by the mayor on Monday, the 22d instant, the following proceedings were had:
The intelligence from the army of a brilliant victory, achieved by the Confederate forces at Manassas, over the ruthless enemies of public liberty and constitutional law, is an occasion of devout thanksgiving to Almighty God; and the citizens of Richmond here assembled reverently acknowledge His goodness and mercy. They acknowledge, moreover, that it is a sacred and patriotic duty to manifest their grief for the loss of the noble men who fell in the arduous struggle and were disabled, and to condole with and relieve the sufferers and their families.
Resolved, That a committee ofcitizens be appointed to proceed to Manassas and confer with the commanding generals of the posts in reference to the removal and transportation to this city of such wounded soldiers as can be safely removed; also
Resolved, That a committee of citizens be appointed to confer with the citizens of the city of Richmond and vicinity, to ascertain how many wounded soldiers can be nursed and comfortably provided for by the several families in the city and vicinity, and in aid of that committee the citizens report to the mayor the number of the wounded that they can respectively provide with comfortable accommodations.
Resolved, That said committee do also provide and fit up, at the expense of the city, such additional rooms as may be necessary for the comfortable accommodation of the wounded; and that said committee do provide all necessary means of conveyance of the wounded to the places designated.
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to solicit subscriptions of money for the above purpose.
These proceedings met the exigency in a spirit of broad and considerate sympathy. There is no duty to which our fellow-citizens nor their representatives and agents are prepared to respond to more spontaneously and liberally than that which summons to the consolation and relief of their intrepid defenders. It would not become the Congress of the Confederate States to permit the city of Richmond to take to herself the whole charge of providing for the wounded and sick of the army, which, under the blessing of Providence, triumphed gloriously at Manassas. It behooves Congress to provide the funds necessary to meet the outlay which may attend the execution of their honorable design: Therefore,
Resolved, That the sum of five thousand dollars be placed at the disposal of the Secretary of the Treasury, to be expended in securing the comfort of the officers and men of the Army who were in the battle at Manassas and may be removed to the city of Richmond under the resolutions of the common council.
The report was received and unanimously agreed to.
Mr. T. R. R. Cobb of Georgia offered the following resolutions announcing the death of Mr. Francis S. Bartow, a Delegate from the State of Georgia, and moved their adoption:
Resolved, That Congress has heard, with unfeigned sorrow, of the death of Honorable Francis S. Bartow, one of the Delegates from the State of Georgia; that the
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natural exultation for a glorious victory, achieved by our arms, is checked by the heavy loss sustained by the Confederacy in the death of one of her most efficient counsellors; and that, as his colleagues, we feel a peculiar loss to ourselves in one who had won our esteem and gained much of our affection.
Resolved, That with pleasure we record our admiration of his heroic defense on the field of battle; of the action of this Congress in which he participated so largely; and find some consolation for his death in the conviction that his noble self-sacrifice will serve to establish the work which he so boldly aided to begin.
Resolved, That we appreciate the loss which Georgia, his native State, has sustained in the death of one of her noblest sons, and that we tender to the bereaved family the sympathy of hearts to some extent stricken by the same blow which has crushed their own.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be communicated to the family of the deceased.
Resolved, That in testimony of our respect for his memory the Congress do now adjourn.
Messrs. Hill of Georgia, Mason of Virginia, and Chesnut of South Carolina having seconded the motion of Mr. Cobb, the Chair, upon a taking of the vote, declared the resolutions unanimously adopted; and the Congress adjourned until 12 o'clock to-morrow.
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