| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journal of the Confederate Congress --FRIDAY, September 12, 1862.
OPEN SESSION.
Mr. Brown submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire whether persons holding commissions in the Army of the Confederate States are employed as clerks in the Departments, and especially in the offices of the Quartermaster and Commissary General in this city; what pay and allowances such clerks receive; whether they are paid as clerks or commissioned officers, or both; and whether the duties performed by such commissioned officers, as clerks, may not be as well performed by persons taken from civil life. and at less cost to the Government.
Mr. Oldham submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
Resolved, That the Committee on Finance be instructed to inquire and report what, if any, legislation is necessary to suppress the illicit trade being carried on between persons residing in the Confederate States and persons residing in the United States.
Page 277 | Page image
Mr. Henry, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the joint resolution (H. R. 9) in relation to P. Soulé reported it with amendments.
Mr. Sparrow, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported
A bill (S. 83) to amend an act entitled "An act for the establishment and organization of a general staff for the Army of the Confederate States of America," approved 26th February, 1861;
which was read the first and second times and ordered to be placed upon the Calendar and printed.
On motion by Mr. Sparrow,
Ordered, That the Committee on Military Affairs be discharged from the further consideration of the resolution inquiring whether any soldiers of the Confederate Army have been executed by order of General Bragg without trial, the number thus executed, the crimes or offenses imputed to them, the circumstances under which they were executed, whether the proceedings have been laid before the President, what action has been taken by him, and whether any additional legislation is necessary to secure a fair and impartial trial to every soldier charged with crime.
On motion by Mr. Orr, that the said resolution be referred to a select committee of three, with authority to send for persons and papers,
After debate,
On motion by Mr. Maxwell,
The Senate resolved into executive session.
The doors having been opened,
The following message was received from the House of Representatives, by Mr. McDonald:
Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed a bill (H. R. 6) to provide for raising and organizing in the States of Missouri and Kentucky additional forces for the Provisional Army of the Confederate States; in which they request the concurrence of the Senate.
On motion by Mr. Semmes,
The Senate adjourned until to-morrow morning at 12 o'clock.
SECRET SESSION.
On motion by Mr. Maxwell,
Ordered, That the vote on excusing Mr. Clay from serving on the joint committee to investigate the management of the Naval Department be reconsidered.
The motion being again under consideration,
Mr. Clay (by consent) withdrew the same.
On motion by Mr. Maxwell,
Ordered, That the vote on excusing Mr. Phelan from serving on the joint committee to investigate the management of the Naval Department be reconsidered.
The motion being again under consideration,
Mr. Phelan (by consent) withdrew the same.
Mr. Clark, from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
Resolved, That the President be, and he is hereby, respectfully requested to direct such of our military commanders as may at the time be in command of the respective columns of our forces, as soon as they approach, or enter, the territory of the United States bordering upon the Mississippi River, or the tributaries thereof, to
Page 278 | Page image
publish proclamations assuring the people of those States, as well as all others interested, of the free navigation of the Mississippi River, according to the provisions of an act of the Provisional Congress, entitled "An act to declare and establish the free navigation of the Mississippi River," approved February twenty-five, eighteen hundred and sixty-one; and that said commanders cause to be published copies of said act with such proclamations.
On motion by Mr. Hunter,
The Senate resumed the consideration of the resolution submitted by Mr. Sparrow, on yesterday, calling upon the President to return to the Senate the resolution passed by them, on the 8th instant, calling for the number of troops each State has furnished; and
The resolution was agreed to.
On motion by Mr. Semmes,
Ordered, That the President appoint a member to fill the vacancy existing on the joint committee to investigate the management of the Naval Department; and
Mr. Peyton was appointed.
On motion by Mr. Semmes,
The Senate resolved into open legislative session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
The following message was received from the President of the Confederate States, by Colonel Browne:
Richmond, September 12, 1862.
To the President of the Senate of the Confederate States:
I nominate the person named in the annexed letter of the Secretary of the Navy, agreeably to his recommendation.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Confederate States of America, Navy Department,
Richmond, September 11, 1862.
The President.
Sir: I have the honor to recommend the following nomination for appointment in the Navy:
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 Colonel Browne:
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
Under the first clause of the sixth article of the Constitution, I entertain doubt whether it is intended that the officers either of the Regular or Provisional Army or of the Navy, appointed during the existence of the Provisional Government and confirmed by the Congress, require to be renominated and confirmed by the Senate, and I respectfully request your advice on this point.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Executive Office,Richmond, September 12, 1862.
The message was read.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Orr submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
Resolved, That the President be respectfully requested, if not incompatible with the public interest, to communicate to the Senate the number and names of all persons engaged in the service of the Confederate States in foreign countries, either as
Page 279 | Page image
diplomatic, consular, or commercial agents, or in any other capacity, stating the places to which they have been sent, the date of their appointment, the salaries they receive, and the duties they are expected to perform, and how far they have been officially or otherwise recognized by any foreign government.
On motion by Mr. Hill,
The Senate resumed the consideration of the nomination of John C. Nicoll to be district attorney for the State of Georgia
On the question,
Will the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of John C. Nicoll?
It was determined in the affirmative.
So it was
Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment, agreeably to the nomination of the President.
On motion by Mr. Semmes,
The Senate resolved into secret legislative session.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |