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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 --TWENTY-FOURTH DAY--FRIDAY, August 16, 1861.
OPEN SESSION.
Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Bozeman.
Mr. Caruthers announced the presence of Messrs. David M. Currin and W. H. De Witt, Delegates from the State of Tennessee, who appeared, were qualified, and took their seats.
Congress then resolved itself into secret session.
SECRET SESSION.
Congress being in secret session,
Mr. Johnson of Arkansas moved that hereafter the special order of each day be called for consideration at the hour of 12 m.
The motion was agreed to.
Mr. Johnson of Arkansas offered the following resolution; which was read and laid on the table, to wit:
Resolved, That so much of the resolution as fixes the day of adjournment of Congress for the nineteenth instant is repealed, and that Congress will adjourn on the twenty-sixth of August, eighteen hundred and sixty-one.
Mr. Curry offered the following resolution; which was read and agreed to, to wit:
Resolved, That the Committee on Accounts be instructed to inquire into the propriety of increasing the compensation of the Doorkeeper, with leave to report by bill or otherwise.
Mr. Nisbet presented the petition of sundry citizens of Georgia in relation to a mail route; which was referred to the Committee on Postal Affairs, without being read.
Mr. Shorter presented
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A bill to be entitled "An act to aid in the completion of a railroad for war and defensive purposes;"
which was read first and second times and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Campbell presented
A bill to be entitled "An act to amend the law in reference to the selection of adjutants to regiments of infantry in the volunteer service;" which was read first and second times and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Rhett offered the following resolutions; which were read and agreed to, viz:
Resolved, That the President be requested, if in his opinion not incompatible with the public interests, to communicate to this Congress any information he may possess as to the hanging of captives in the late battle of Manassas.
Resolved, That the President be also requested to communicate to this Congress any information he may possess as to cruelties practiced by the authorities of the United States against prisoners taken in our privateers.
Mr. Jones of Tennessee presented the memorial of Steven D. Stout, of Tennessee; which was referred to the Committee on Patents, without being read.
Mr. Oldham presented a memorial of Daniel C. Healy; which was referred to the Committee on Claims, without being read.
Mr. Oldham presented joint resolutions concerning the revenue cutter Dodge and her officers; which were referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, without being read.
Mr. Mason presented the petition of Mrs. Caroline A. Williamson; which was referred to the Committee on Claims, without being read.
Mr. Crawford offered the following resolution; which was read and agreed to, to wit:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to inform the Congress at his earliest convenience whether the salaries of all officers connected with the collection of the customs may not be safely reduced during the continuance of the blockade; and, if so, to what extent:
Mr. Walker, from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, reported back with an amendment
A bill to be entitled "An act to prevent invasion, and to retaliate the treatment inflicted upon persons in the service of the Confederate States taken prisoners by the United States;"
which was read first and second times and, on motion, placed on the Calendar and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Perkins, from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, to whom was referred
A resolution expressing the approval of Congress of the plan of the commission merchants and insurance companies to keep the cotton crop in the interior,
reported the same back, with the recommendation that it pass.
The resolution was agreed to, and, on motion, the injunction of secrecy was removed therefrom.
Mr. Perkins, from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, reported the following resolution; which was read and placed on the Calendar, to wit:
Resolved, That it, is the sense of Congress that our commissioners abroad be authorized to extend for a limited period commercial and tonnage advantages to those nations earliest recognizing our independence by the formation of commercial treaties.
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Mr. Barnwell, from the Committee on Finance, reported
An act to amend the law in relation to the export of tobacco and other commodities,
with the recommendation that it pass.
The bill was read first and second times, engrossed, read a third time, and passed.
Mr. Brockenbrough, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported
A bill to perpetuate testimony in cases of slaves abducted or harbored by the enemy, and of other property seized, wasted, or destroyed by them,
with the recommendation that it pass.
The bill having received its first and second readings, was, on motion, placed on the Calendar and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Brockenbrough, from the same committee, reported
An act to authorize the district courts of the Confederate States to appoint commissioners with power to arrest persons charged with offenses, and for other purposes,
with the recommendation that it pass.
The bill having been read first and second times, was, on motion, placed on the Calendar and ordered to be printed.
The unfinished business of yesterday, which was made the special order for to-day at 12 o'clock m., was then taken up; which was the consideration, of the engrossment for its passage, of the bill to authorize the issue of Treasury notes, and to provide a war tax for their redemption.
Mr. Rhett, at the instance of the State of South Carolina, demanded that the yeas and nays of the whole body be recorded; which are as follows, to wit:
Yea: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
So the bill was engrossed, read third time, and passed.
Mr. Kenner moved that when the President shall sign and approve the said bill that the vote thereon be made public as unanimous.
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Mr. Curry moved to suspend the further consideration for the present of the special order, for the purpose of receiving reports of committees of bills or resolutions which are to be placed on the Calendar, or such as do not elicit discussion.
The motion prevailed.
Mr. Shorter, from the Committee on Engrossment, to whom was referred.
A resolution of instruction requiring the committee to consider and report upon the expediency of allowing the Secretary to appoint a clerk to file and take charge of the papers of Congress under the supervision of the Secretary, and at the same compensation allowed the assistant secretaries,
reported that in the opinion of the committee, though the services of such a clerk are needed, they consider it unnecessary to make such appointment before the commencement of the next session, and asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that the resolution lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Conrad, from the same Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred the petition of Dr. A. Y. P. Garnett, reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that the petition lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Conrad, from the same committee, reported back the petition of Jonas P. Levy, asked to be discharged from the further consideration of the same, and that it lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Conrad, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, reported back
A bill with amendments to be entitled "An act to amend an act [entitled 'An act] recognizing the existence of war between the United [States] and the Confederate States, and concerning letters of marque, prizes, and prize goods,' approved May sixth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and an act entitled 'An act regulating the sale of prizes and the distribution thereof,' approved May sixteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one;"
which was ordered to be placed on the Calendar and printed.
Mr. Conrad, from the same committee, reported
A bill to be entitled "An act to provide for certain revenue officers;" which was read first and second times and placed on the Calendar.
Mr. Conrad, from the same committee, reported
An act to authorize the President to confer temporary rank and command on officers of the Navy doing duty with troops;
which was read first and second times and placed on the Calendar.
Mr. Johnson of Arkansas, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred
A resolution of inquiry as to the propriety of furnishing men and tools for the manufacture, etc., of small arms at Little Rock, Ark., etc.,
reported same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that the resolution lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Johnson of Arkansas, from the same committee, reported
A bill supplementary to an act to put in operation the Government under the permanent Constitution of the Confederate States of America; which was read first and second times and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Johnson of Arkansas, from the same committee, reported
A resolution to provide transportation in certain cases;
which was read first and second times and placed on the Calendar.
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Mr. Miles, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred
A resolution authorizing volunteers to appoint substitutes,
reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that resolution lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A bill to be entitled "An act to authorize the auditing, settlement; and payment of a claim therein named,"
reported the same back, with the recommendation that it be referred to the Committee on Claims; which was agreed to.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A resolution touching the pay of fifth sergeants and corporals of a Georgia regiment,
reported same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that the same be referred to the Committee on Claims; which was agreed to.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, to whom was referred a communication respecting increase of the compensation of chaplains in the Army, reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that the communication lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, to whom was referred the memorial of certain railroads, reported same back, asked to be discharged from the further consideration thereof, and that the memorial lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, reported
A bill making appropriations for military hospitals;
which was read first and second times, placed on the Calendar, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Miles, from the same committee, reported
A bill to establish a uniform rule of naturalization for persons enlisted in the armies of the Confederate States of America;
which was read first and second times, placed on the Calendar, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. McRae offered the following resolution; which was read and agreed to, to wit:
Resolved, That the President be requested to furnish Congress with the official reports of the various battles fought by our armies since the adjournment of Congress.
Mr. Curry, from the Committee on Postal Affairs, reported
A bill to be entitled "An act amendatory of an act prescribing the rates of postage in the Confederate States, approved February twenty-third, eighteen hundred and sixty-one,"
and recommended its passage.
The bill was read first and second times, engrossed, read third time, and passed.
Mr. Chilton, from the Committee on Postal Affairs, reported
A bill to be entitled "An act to establish the rates of postage on newspapers and periodicals sent to dealers therein through the mail or by express over post roads,"
with recommendation that it pass.
The bill was read first, and second times and placed on the Calendar.
Mr. Shorter, from the Committee on Engrossment, offered the following resolution; which was read and agreed to, to wit:
Resolved, That the Secretary of Congress be authorized to employ under the supervision of the Committee on Engrossment, such clerical force as may be found need
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for the engrossment and enrollment of bills during the remainder of the present session, at a personal compensation of not more than six dollars per day.
Mr. Harris, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the petition of Ladislas Wankowicz praying a change of his name, reported that the committee had no power to grant the petition, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that it lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Harris, from the same committee, reported back
An act vesting in the President of the Confederate States the power of retaliation,
with the recommendation that it pass.
On motion, the bill was placed on the Calendar.
Mr. Puryear, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred
An act to further amend an act to provide for the organization of the Navy, approved March 16, 1861,
reported as a substitute for the same
An act further to amend an act to provide for the organization of the Navy, approved March 16, 1861;
which was placed on the Calendar.
Mr. Memminger, from the special committee on the removal of the seat of government, presented a report; which was placed on the Calendar.
Mr. Gregg, from the Committee on Claims, to whom was referred the petition of Oliver Hoover, reported the same back, asked to be discharged from its consideration, and that the petition lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Gregg, from the same committee, reported back the memorial of R. C. Cummings & Co., with recommendation that it be postponed until the end of the war; which was agreed to.
Mr. Gregg, from the same committee, reported back the memorial of Thomas Ellison, with the same recommendation; which was agreed to.
Mr. Gregg, from the same committee, reported back the memorial of H. H. Gurley, with the same recommendation; which was agreed to.
Mr. Gregg, from the same committee, reported back the petition of Samuel Jones, with the same recommendation; which was agreed to.
Mr. Gregg, from the same committee, reported back the petition of John O. Moran, with same recommendation; which was agreed to.
Mr. Gregg, from the same committee, reported back the memorial of Dr. P. M. Enders, with same recommendation; which was agreed to.
Mr. Gregg, from the same committee, to whom was referred the petition of H. Y. Gray, reported that the committee found no sufficient evidence of the justness of the claim, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that the petition lie on the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Gregg, from the same committee, to whom was referred
A bill to be entitled "An act to authorize the Secretary of War to make a certain payment out of the contingent fund of the War Department,"
reported the same back, with the recommendation that it pass.
The bill, on motion, was ordered to be placed on the Calendar.
Congress then took up the special order; which was the consideration of
A bill to authorize the admission of the State of Missouri as a member of the Confederate States of America, and for the other purposes.
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The first section of the same being under consideration; which is as follows, to wit:
Mr. Campbell moved to amend by striking out the words "the properly and legally constituted authorities" and inserting in lieu thereof the following words, to wit: "a convention of the people or a majority of the legal voters."
Mr. Campbell demanded the question; which was seconded; and the question being put, the amendment was not agreed to.
Mr. Shorter, from the Committee on Engrossment, reported as correctly engrossed and enrolled
An act to amend the law in relation to the export of tobacco and other commodities.
A message was received from the President by the hands of his Private Secretary, Mr. Josselyn, informing Congress that the President has this day approved and signed
An act to amend the law in relation to the export of tobacco and other commodities.
Mr. Waul moved to strike out the whole of the first section; pending the consideration of which motion,
Congress, on motion of Mr. Sparrow,
Adjourned until 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Congress being in executive session,
The Chair presented a communication from the President, transmitting, for the advice and consent of Congress, the nomination of P. O. Hébert, of Louisiana, to be brigadier-general in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Miles, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred, on the 13th instant, the communication of the President nominating, for the advice and consent of Congress, a list of officers for the Provisional Army of the Confederate States, reported the same back, with a recommendation that the Congress advise and consent thereto.
The report was agreed to, and Congress advised and consented to the nominations.
On motion of Mr. Chesnut, Congress took up for consideration the nomination of E. Cantey Stockton to be a lieutenant in the Marine Corps of the Confederate States of America.
Mr. Chesnut moved that Congress do advise and consent to said nomination.
The vote thereon having been taken by States, resulted as follows:
Yea: Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, 4.
Nay: Alabama Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee, 5.
Divided: Arkansas and North Carolina, 2.
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At the instance of the State of Texas, the yeas and nays of the entire body were ordered to be recorded thereon, and are as follows:
And the vote having been announced as follows:
Yea: Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, 4.
Nay: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee, 5.
Divided: Arkansas and North Carolina, 2.
Congress refused to advise and consent to the nomination.
By unanimous consent, Mr. Venable withdrew his motion to reconsider the vote advising and consenting to the nomination of George T. Cook to be postmaster at Raleigh, N. C.
Congress resumed legislative session.
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