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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, December 17, 1863.
OPEN SESSION.
Mr. Clay presented resolutions of the general assembly of the State of Alabama in relation to the steamer Florida.
Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee on Finance and printed.
The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the bill (S. 150) to limit and define the term of office of the Secretary or principal officer of each of the Executive Departments, established by the several acts entitled "An act to organize the Department, of State," "An act to establish the Treasury Department," "An act to establish the War Department," "An act to establish the
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Navy Department," "An act to establish the Post-Office Department," "An act to organize and establish an executive department, to be known as the Department of Justice," all of which acts were approved February 21, 1861; and
On motion by Mr. Johnson of Arkansas,
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Baker presented a resolution of the general assembly of the State of Florida relative to the pay of the soldiers of the Confederate States; which was read.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs and printed.
Mr. Baker presented a resolution of the general assembly of the State of Florida relative to the tax in kind; which was read.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Finance and printed.
Mr. Brown submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
Resolved, That the Committee on Finance he instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing the chief collectors in the States to appoint deputy collectors, who shall give bond for the faithful performance of their duties, and who shall, when the principal is sick, absent, or from any other cause unable to discharge the duties of his office, take the place of such principal and discharge the duties of the office.
Mr. Orr presented the petition of sundry citizens of Abbeville district, South Carolina, praying that the tax imposed on widows and soldiers whose families are supported, in whole or in part, by boards of relief may be remitted; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. Wigfall (by leave) introduced
A bill (S. 162) to provide additional remuneration for noncommissioned officers and privates serving in the Army of the Confederate States;
which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Caperton submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
Resolved, That the Committee on Finance be instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing a sale, by the collectors of the tax in kind, to the agents appointed by the county courts in their several districts, to provide relief for the families of soldiers, of such portions of the tithes collected, or to be collected, as can be conveniently spared, or as can not be conveniently collected by the Government agents.
A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Dalton:
Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed a joint resolution (H. R. 19) of thanks to Captain Odium, Lieutenant Dowling, and the men raider their command; in which they ask the concurrence of the Senate.
The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill (S. 144) to change the time for the assembling of Congress for its next regular session.
The question being on agreeing to the amendment proposed to the bill by Mr. Haynes, viz:
Strike out the words "fourth Monday of February" and insert "first Monday in May,"
On motion by Mr. Barnwell, to amend the amendment proposed by Mr. Haynes by striking out "first Monday in May" and inserting "first Monday in September,"
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On motion by Mr. Davis, that the bill lie upon the table,
It was determined in the negative.
On the question to agree to the amendment proposed by Mr. Barnwell to the amendment proposed by Mr. Haynes,
It was determined in the negative.
On motion by Mr. Clark, to amend the amendment proposed by Mr. Haynes by striking out "first Monday in May" and inserting "first Monday in April,"
It was determined in the negative.
On motion by Mr. Phelan, to amend the amendment proposed by Mr. Haynes by striking out "first Monday in May" and inserting "first Monday in July,"
It was determined in the negative.
On motion by Mr. Dortch, to amend the amendment proposed by Mr. Haynes by striking out "first Monday in May" and inserting "first Monday in June,"
It was determined in the negative.
On the question to agree to the amendment proposed by Mr. Haynes,
It was determined in the affirmative.
So the amendment was agreed to.
On motion by Mr. Semmes, that the vote on agreeing to the said amendment be reconsidered,
On motion by Mr. Johnson of Arkansas,
Ordered, That the bill lie upon the table.
The following message was received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:
Richmond, Va., December 16, 1863.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit for your consideration a communication from the Attorney-General ad interim, submitting additional estimates for the expenditures of the Department of Justice.
I recommend an appropriation of the amount specified for the purpose designated.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
The message was read.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Barnwell submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
Resolved, That the Committee on Finance be instructed to inquire if any amendments are required to the tax and assessment acts to secure more uniformity and efficiency in their operation.
On motion by Mr. Sparrow,
The Senate resolved into secret legislative session.
The doors having been opened,
The joint resolution (H. R. 19) of thanks to Captain Odlum, Lieutenant Dowling, and the men under their command, received this day from the House of Representatives for concurrence, was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the bill (S. 158) to organize forces to serve during the war; and
On motion by Mr. Sparrow,
Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until to-morrow.
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On motion by Mr. Orr, and by unanimous consent,
Ordered, That the President pro tempore appoint a member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. Yancey; and
Mr. Johnson of Georgia was appointed.
On motion by Mr. Clay, and by unanimous consent,
Ordered, That the President pro tempore appoint a member on the Committee on Commerce, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. Peyton; and
Mr. Orr was appointed.
The Senate proceeded, as in Committee of the Whole, to the consideration of the bill (S. 159) to authorize the appointment of an Assistant Postmaster-General, and such clerks as may be necessary, to carry on the postal service in the States west of the Mississippi River.
After debate,
On motion by Mr. Burnett,
Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until Thursday next.
On motion by Mr. Burnett,
The Senate adjourned.
SECRET SESSION.
The following message was received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:
Richmond, Va., December 15, 1863.
To the Senate of the Confederate States:
In response to your resolution of the 10th instant, asking to be furnished with "copies of the several reports of Major-General Whiting in relation to running the blockade at Wilmington, N. C.," I herewith transmit a communication from the Secretary of War, covering copies of the reports referred to.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
The message was read.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Commerce.
The following message was received from the President of the Confederate States, by Mr. B. N. Harrison, his Secretary:
Richmond, Va., December 16, 1863.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit for your consideration, in secret, session, a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, covering a report in relation to foreign cotton loans.
I recommend the ratification by Congress of the accompanying contract for a second foreign loan, and of the issue of the cotton certificates made for the use of the Navy Department.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
The message was read.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. Orr (by leave) introduced
A joint resolution (S. 18) explanatory of a joint resolution on the subject of retaliation, approved May 1, 1863;
which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
On motion by Mr. Orr,
The Senate resolved into open legislative session.
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