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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 --WEDNESDAY, April 16, 1862.

Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1865 [Volume 2]
WEDNESDAY, April 16, 1862.

OPEN SESSION.

Mr. Baker (by leave) introduced

A bill (S. 44) in relation to auditing accounts for the War Department; which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. Hill presented the petition of Jonas P. Levy, praying for a modification of the sequestration law; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. Maxwell submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire and report whether the treaties of the United States with foreign nations made prior to the separation of the Confederate States from that country are still in force, by virtue of international law or any law of Congress, as between the Confederate States and said foreign nations.

Mr. Sparrow, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the resolution requiring the Quartermaster-General to furnish to the superintendent or president of any railroad company who will apply therefor, a statement of what goods, wares, merchandise, and commodities have been shipped or transported over their roads on account of the Government, reported it without amendment.

The Senate proceeded to consider the said resolution; and it was agreed to.

Mr. Sparrow, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (S. 42) for the relief of the legal representatives of Samuel M. Wilkes, late adjutant of the Fourth Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, reported it without amendment.

The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the bill (S. 42) last mentioned; and no amendment being made, it was reported to the Senate.

Ordered, That it be engrossed and read a third time.

The said bill was read the third time.

Resolved, That it pass, and that the title thereof remain as aforesaid.

Ordered, That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of Representatives therein.

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On motion by Mr. Sparrow,

Ordered, That the Committee on Military Affairs be discharged from the further consideration of the following subjects:

Petition of John B. Read, praying compensation for the use by the Government of the Confederate States of his improved projectile from rifled cannon known as "the Read shell."

Memorial of the committee of public safety of the city of New Orleans in relation to the appointment in Congress of a committee on the conduct of the war.

Resolution inquiring into the expediency of enlisting cooks for the Army and of obtaining the services of slaves for that purpose.

Mr. Sparrow, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom the following bills were referred:

• H. R. --. A bill to authorize the appointment of officers of artillery in the Provisional Army;
• H. R. --. A bill to increase the Corps of Engineers of the Provisional Army; and
• H. R. --. A bill to organize a signal corps,

Mr. Mitchel, from the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads, reported

A bill (S. 45) to amend an act entitled "An act to prescribe the rates of postage in the Confederate States of America, and for other purposes;"
which was read the first and second times and considered as in Committee of the Whole.

On motion by Mr. Mitchel,

Ordered, That the further consideration of the bill be postponed until to-morrow.

Mr. Oldham (by leave) introduced

A bill (S. 46) to amend an act entitled "An act to amend 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 21, 1861;
which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

The President pro tempore signed the following enrolled bills and enrolled joint resolutions heretofore reported to be truly enrolled, which were delivered to the Secretary of the Senate, and by him forthwith presented to the President of the Confederate States for his approbation:

• S. 6. Joint resolution directing how prize money shall be paid in certain cases;
• H. R. --. A bill to amend an act entitled "An act to regulate the compensation of members of Congress;"
• H. R. --. Joint resolution of thanks to the officers and crews of the Patrick Henry, Jamestown, Teazer, and other vessels, for gallant conduct; and
• H. R. --. Joint resolution of thanks to Gen. H. H. Sibley and his command.

On motion by Mr. Sparrow,

The Senate resolved into executive session.

The doors being opened,

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The following message was received from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Lamar:

Mr. President: The Speaker of the House of Representatives having signed sundry enrolled bills, I am directed to bring them to the Senate for the signature of their President.

Mr. Barnwell (by leave) introduced

A joint resolution (S. 10) to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to pay the mileage and per diem of members of the Provisional Congress out of the contingent fund of that Congress;
which was read the first and second times and considered as in Committee of the Whole; and no amendment being made, it was reported to the Senate.

Ordered, That it be engrossed and read a third time.

The said resolution was read the third time.

Resolved, That it pass, and that the title thereof be as aforesaid.

Ordered, That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of Representatives therein.

Mr. Phelan, from the committee, reported that they had examined and found truly enrolled the following, bills:

• H. R. --. A bill to authorize the Secretary of War to divide the appropriation for the contingent expenses of the War Department and the Army;
• H. R. --. A bill for the relief of Caroline Miller and her children; and
• H. R. --. A bill to authorize the employment of clerks at the offices of the Treasurer and assistant treasurers.

The President pro tempore having signed the enrolled bills last reported to have been examined, they were delivered to the Secretary, and by him forthwith presented to the President of the Confederate States for his approbation.

The following message was received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:

Executive Department, April 16, 1862.

To the Senate of the Confederate States:

In compliance with your request for information, expressed in a resolution of the 14th instant, I herewith transmit a communication from the Secretary of War, covering a copy of the report of General Branch, of the battle of Newbern, N. C.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

The message was read.

On motion by Mr. Barnwell,

Ordered, That it lie on the table.

On motion by Mr. Barnwell,

The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the bill (H. R. --) making Augusta, Ga., a port of delivery for goods imported into Charleston, S. C.; and no amendment being made, it, was reported to the Senate.

Ordered, That it pass to a third reading.

The said bill was read the third time.

Resolved, That it pass.

Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives thereof.

Mr. Yancey submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested to prepare and furnish to the Senate, at its next session, for its use, a list of all the commissioned officers in the

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Army, Regular and Provisional, of the Confederate States, stating their rank, the dates of their commissions, and the States of which they were citizens when commissioned.

On motion by Mr. Clay,

The Senate adjourned until to-morrow morning at 12 o'clock.

SECRET SESSION.

A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. McDonald:

Mr. President: The Speaker of the House of Representatives having signed an enrolled bill, I am directed to bring it to the Senate for the signature of their President.

Mr. Mitchel, from the committee, reported that they had examined and found truly enrolled the bill (S. 32) to further provide for the public defense.

The President pro tempore having signed the enrolled bill (S. 32) last reported to have been examined, it was delivered to the Secretary of the Senate, and by him forthwith presented to the President of the Confederate States for his approbation.

On motion,

The Senate resolved into executive session.

EXECUTIVE SESSION.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the nomination of R. A. Pryor; and

After debate,

On the question,

Will the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of R. A. Pryor?

• It was determined in the affirmative,
• Yeas ... 15
• Nays ... 10

On motion by Mr. Yancey,

The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present,

Those who voted in the affirmative are,

Messrs. Barnwell, Baker, Brown, Davis, Haynes, Henry, Hunter, Johnson, Maxwell, Mitchel, Orr, Peyton, Preston, Simms, and Wigfall.

Those who voted in the negative are,

Messrs. Burnett, Clay, Clark, Dortch, Hill, Lewis, Oldham, Phelan, Semmes, and Yancey.

So it was

Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of R. A. Pryor as a brigadier-general in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States, agreeably to the nomination.

The following message was received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:

Executive Department, April 16, 1862.

To the Senate of the Confederate States:

I nominate the persons named upon the annexed list to the offices designated, agreeably to the recommendation of the Attorney-General.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

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Confederate States of America, Department of Justice,
Richmond, April 15, 1862.

To the President.

Sir: I have the honor to submit the following nominations for appointment in this Department:

• William Pinkney Hill, of Marshall, Tex., to be judge of the eastern district of Texas.
• George Mason, of Galveston, Tex., to be attorney for the eastern district of Texas.
• James W. Mosely, of Lamar, Tex., to be marshal of the eastern district of Texas.
• Thomas J. Devine, of San Antonio, Tex., to be judge of the western district of Texas.
• John C. West, of Waco, Tex., to be attorney for the western district of Texas.
• John R. Jefferson, of Seguin, Tex., to be marshal of the western district of Texas.

Your obedient servant,

T. H. WATTS,
Attorney-General.

The message was read; and

On motion by Mr. Oldham,

The Senate proceeded to consider the nominations contained therein; and

Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of William Pinkney Hill, George Mason, James W. Mosely, Thomas J. Devine, John C. West, and John R. Jefferson, agreeably to their respective nominations.

The following message was received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:

Executive Department, April 16, 1862.

To the Senate of the Confederate States:

I nominate the persons named in the annexed letter of the Secretary of the Navy, agreeably to his recommendation.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

Confederate States of America, Navy Department,
Richmond, April 15, 1862.

To the President.

Sir: I have the honor to recommend the following nominations for appointment in the Navy:

Lieutenant for the war.
• William W. Wilkinson, of Florida.

Naval storekeeper at the navy-yard, Norfolk, Va.
• William H. Peters, of Virginia, vice R. M. Boykin, deceased.

I am, with much respect, your obedient servant,

S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy.

The message was read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

The following message was received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:

Executive Department,
Richmond, April 16, 1862.

To the Senate of the Confederate States:

I nominate the officers on the accompanying list to the rank affixed to their names, respectively, agreeably to the recommendation of the Secretary of War.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

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Confederate States of America, War Department,
Richmond, April 15, 1862.

Sir: I have the honor to recommend the following nominations for appointment in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States:

Major-generals.
• T. C. Hindman, to take rank April 14, 1862, Arkansas.
• John C. Breckinridge, to take rank April 14, 1862, Kentucky.

Brigadier-generals.
• Thomas Jordan, to take rank April 14, 1862.
• William Preston, to take rank April 14, 1862, Kentucky.
• Julius A. de Lagnel, to take rank April 15, 1862, Virginia.
• John Echols, to take rank April 16, 1862, Virginia.
• George Maney, to take rank April 16, 1862, Tennessee.
• Alfred Mouton, to take rank April 16, 1862, Louisiana.
• John S. Williams, to take rank April 16, 1862, Kentucky.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. W. RANDOLPH,
Secretary of War.

To His Excellency Jefferson Davis,
President, etc.

The message was read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. Sparrow, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred (on the 11th of March) the nomination of D. R. Jones, to be a major-general, reported, with the recommendation that said nomination be confirmed.

The Senate proceeded to consider the nomination of D. R. Jones; and

After debate,

On motion by Mr. Clark,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until to-morrow.

Mr. Sparrow, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom were referred (on the 5th instant) the nominations of Henry Little, to be a brigadier-general; William Brazelton, Elijah Gates, John Q. Burbridge, B. A. Rives, to be colonels; Richard B. Chiles, Edward B. Hull, William H. Hunt, J. A. Pritchard, to be lieutenant-colonels; Robert R. Lawther, Robert D. A. Dwyer, William C. Reeder, F. L. Hubbell, S. F. Pierson, and G. N. Reynolds, to be majors; G. W. Cunningham, J. G. Field, John N. Norris, A. P. Aldrich, to be brigade quartermasters, with the rank of major; George F. Maynard, G. A. Taylor, James M. Jones, P. O. Lemmons, William T. Faircloth, A. Pettyjohn, Hilliard W. Carter, S. H. Stewart, Charles L. Le Baron, Michael Gormly, Ferdinand Gregorie, Stephen C. Burch, David C. Walker, to be assistant quartermasters, with the rank of captain; James L. Carr, N. S. Hill, Abraham Haber, B. S. Sanchez, L. W. Spratt, to be brigade commissaries, with the rank of major; William Clark, William C. Hillhouse, Andrew B. Wardlaw, J. H. Montgomery, S. P. Ravenel, John F. Davis, Lyman Griswold, Samuel J. Humphries, to be assistant commissaries, with the rank of captain; A. A. James, M. O'Keefe, W. J. Mahon, W. S. Penick, David G. Daniel, to be chaplains; T. B. Crooker, W. H. Wallace, Thomas J. Oates, Joseph M. Flanagan, to be adjutants, with the rank of first lieutenant; Willis L. Robards, R. C. Morgan, J. J. Reeve, Thomas M. Scott, W. Carvel

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Hall, Graham Daves, to be assistant adjutants-general, with the rank of captain; Philip A. Taliaferro, Henry Howard, F. T. Hill, Robert Andrews, W. D. McKim, A. M. Jackson, to be aids-de-camp, with the rank of first lieutenant, reported with the recommendation that all of said nominations be confirmed.

The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the said report; and in concurrence therewith, it was

Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to their appointment, agreeably to their respective nominations.

On motion by Mr. Barnwell,

The Senate resolved into open legislative session.

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