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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 --THURSDAY, August 21, 1862.
OPEN SESSION.
Mr. Semmes submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
Resolved, That the Committee on Finance be directed to inquire into the expediency of establishing, during the war, an agency or branch of the Treasury Department west of the Mississippi River, for the purpose of issuing Treasury notes to supply the wants of the Government; and to report by bill or otherwise.
Mr. Barnwell stated to the Senate that his colleague, the Hon. James L. Orr, was detained from his seat by severe and protracted illness.
Mr. Sparrow, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported
A bill (S. 53) to amend an act entitled "An act to further provide for the public defense," approved 16th April, 1862;
which was read the first and second times and ordered to be placed upon the Calendar.
Mr. Sparrow, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported
A bill (S. 54) to amend an act entitled "An act to organize bands of partisan rangers," approved 21st April, 1862;
which was read the first and second times and ordered to be placed upon the Calendar.
The following message was received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States:
I herewith transmit for your information the report of the Secretary of the Treasury and accompanying estimates, to which reference was made in my message of yesterday, and invite your careful attention to the statements and recommendations contained in them.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Richmond, Va., August 19, 1862.
The message was read.
Ordered, That it lie on the table.
On motion by Mr. Barnwell,
Ordered, That the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, together with the accompanying estimates, be referred to the Committee on Finance.
A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. McDonald:
Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed, unanimously, a resolution (H. R. 1) of thanks to Col. John H. Morgan and the officers and men under his command.
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The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution (H. R. 1) communicated this day from the House of Representatives for concurrence; which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Yancey submitted the following resolutions for consideration:
Resolved by the Senate of the Confederate States of America, That the war which is now being waged by the United States for the avowed purpose of subjugating the people of the several States of this Government to the dominion of the Government of the United States is, in the opinion of the Senate, a war as well upon the people as upon the Government of the Confederate States of America; and that the principles upon which this Government and the governments of the several States which compose it are founded, justify each citizen thereof, when the invading enemy enters upon the soil of his State, in taking up arms to defend his homestead and liberties, and in attacking the invader, either by individual action or in organized bands.
Resolved, That when any of our citizens shall exercise this sacred right, and shall by the fortune of war fall into the hands of the enemy, they are entitled to be treated as prisoners of war; and if they shall be treated otherwise, it is the duty of this Government to extend to them all the protection which may be within its power, or to retaliate for injuries done to them.
Resolved, That in the event the enemy shall, in revenge for such patriotic defense of their State by any of its citizens, seize upon and imprison or otherwise injure other of its citizens not implicated in the particular acts for which such revenge may be taken, or shall pillage or destroy the property of any of our citizens, it will be the duty of this Government to take prompt notice of such acts of cowardly barbarity, and as far as may be within its power to punish the perpetrators thereof, or to retaliate in such manner as may be most likely to deter the enemy from the repetition of such deeds.
Resolved, That the Senate have learned, with lively satisfaction, that the President of the Confederate States has already given serious attention and grave consideration to the subject of several gross violations of the laws and usages of civilized war by the military authorities of the Government of the United States, and has already initiated measures tending to prevent their recurrence; and while the Senate responds with sympathy to the regret expressed by the President at the stern necessity which the enemy seems ruthlessly to force upon this Government of protecting its citizens by the bloody law of retaliation, it will give to the President its unfaltering support in the prompt execution of measures devised for the complete protection of our citizens in the exercise of the inalienable rights of self-defense.
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs are instructed to inquire and to report whether any further, and if so what, legislation may be necessary to clothe the Executive with the amplest authority to act upon and carry out the intent and principles enumerated in these resolutions.
The Senate proceeded to consider the said resolutions; and
After debate,
On motion by Mr. Clay,
Ordered, That the further consideration of the resolutions be postponed until Monday next, and that they be printed.
Mr. Brown (by leave) introduced
A bill (S. 55) to increase the staff of brigadier-generals;
which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
On motion by Mr. Sparrow,
The Senate resolved into executive session.
The doors having been opened,
On motion by Mr. Clay,
The Senate adjourned until to-morrow morning at 12 o'clock.
SECRET SESSION.
Mr. Sparrow, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the report of the Secretary of War in relation to the operations of the War Department during the recess of Congress, reported it, with the recommendation that it be printed; and it was
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Ordered, That said report be printed for the use of the Senate.
On motion by Mr. Sparrow, and by unanimous consent,
Ordered, That the forty-fifth rule of the Senate, requiring all motions to print extra copies of any bill, report, or other document to be referred to the Committee on Printing, be suspended.
On motion by Mr. Sparrow,
Ordered, That 500 additional copies of the report of the Secretary of War be printed for the use of the Senate.
On motion by Mr. Clay,
The Senate resolved into open legislative session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
The following message was received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:
Richmond, August 21, 1862.
To the President of 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.
Navy Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, August 19, 1862.
The President.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the following nominations for appointment in the Navy, under act of Congress entitled "An act to amend an act entitled 'An act to provide for the organization of the Navy,' approved March sixteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and for other purposes," approved April 21, 1862.
With much respect, I am, sir, your obedient servant,
S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy.
The message was read; and
On motion by Mr. Brown,
The Senate proceeded to consider the nominations contained therein; and
Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of the persons named in said message, agreeably to their respective nominations.
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The following message was received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:
Richmond, Va., August 21, 1862.
To the President of 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.
Navy Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, August 20, 1862.
The President.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the following nominations for appointment in the Navy, under act of Congress No. 331, approved December 24, 1861:
With much respect, I am, sir, your obedient servant,
S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy.
The message was read; and
On motion by Mr. Brown,
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:
Richmond, August 21, 1862.
To the President of 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.
Navy Department, Confederate States of America,
Richmond, August 21, 1862.
The President.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the following nominations for appointment in the Navy, under acts of Congress No. 70, approved March 16, 1861, and No. 146, approved May 21, 1861:
With much respect, I am, sir, your obedient servant,
S. R. MALLORY,
Secretary of the Navy.
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The message was read; and
On motion by Mr. Davis,
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the nomination of James W. Cooke; and
Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to the said nomination.
On motion by Mr. Brown,
Ordered, That the other nominations of said message he referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
On motion by Mr. Sparrow,
The Senate resolved into secret legislative session.
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