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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 --FORTY-FIRST DAY--SATURDAY, April 5, 1862.
OPEN SESSION.
The House met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Hoge.
On motion of Mr. Chilton, the House took up for consideration a bill to regulate the compensation of deputy postmasters.
And the bill having been read as follows, to wit:
The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That from and after the first day of July next, the deputy postmasters of the Confederate States be allowed the following commissions, and none other, for their compensation, respectively, viz: On any sum not exceeding one hundred dollars, fifty per cent, except such deputy postmasters
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as receive the mail regularly at their offices between the hours of nine o'clock at night and five o'clock in the morning, who shall be entitled to sixty per cent on the amount received as postage under one hundred dollars. On all sums over one hundred dollars received as postage and not exceeding four hundred dollars, forty per cent. On all sums so received over four hundred dollars and not exceeding twenty-four hundred dollars, thirty per cent, and on all sums over twenty-four hundred dollars, ten per cent. Deputy postmasters at distributing offices shall receive eight per cent commission on the amount of postage on letters and packages received at such distributing offices, respectively, for distribution; which said several commissions shall be allowed quarterly and in due proportion for any period less than a quarter, but these commissions shall in no case exceed the maximum compensation now allowed by law.
Mr. Jones moved to amend by striking out the word "fifty" and inserting in lieu thereof the word "sixty."
And, on a division of the House, a quorum not being present,
Mr. Royston demanded a call of the House, and the call being sustained, was as follows, to wit:
The following-named members were present, viz (those not marked):
The following-named members were absent, viz (marked with a*):
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Mr. Davis moved that all proceedings under the call be suspended.
Mr. Jones demanded the yeas and nays thereon;
Which being ordered,
Yeas: Ashe, Atkins, Boteler, Boyce, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Chambliss, Chilton, Clapp, Clopton, Conrow, Cooke, Curry, Dargan, Davidson, Davis, De Jarnette, Dupré, Ewing, Foote, Gardenhire, Garland, Garnett, Gartrell, Goode, Hanly, Hartridge, Heiskell, Herbert, Hilton, Holt, Johnston, Jones, Kenan of Georgia, Kenan of North Carolina, Kenner, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, McDowell, McLean, Menees, Moore, Perkins, Pugh, Royston, Russell, Sexton, Smith of Alabama, Smith of North Carolina, Trippe, Villeré, Wright of Texas, and Wright of Tennessee.
Nays: Clark, Foster, McRae, Ralls, Smith of Virginia, Wilcox, and Mr. Speaker.
So the proceedings under the call were suspended.
The question being upon agreeing to the amendment offered by Mr. Jones to the bill under consideration.
Mr. Jones demanded the yeas and nays; which were ordered.
Mr. Trippe moved that the House adjourn.
The motion was lost.
And the vote on the amendment offered by Mr. Jones was recorded as follows, to wit:
Yeas: Ashe, Atkins, Clapp, Cooke, Davis, Ewing, Gardenhire, Garnett, Jones, Kenan of North Carolina, McDowell, McLean, Menees, Ralls, Smith of Alabama, Wright of Tennessee, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: Bell, Boteler, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Chambliss, Chilton, Clark, Clopton, Conrad, Conrow, Curry, Davidson, De Jarnette, Dupré, Foster, Garland, Gartrell, Goode, Hanly, Hartridge, Heiskell, Herbert, Hilton, Holcombe, Holt, Johnston, Kenan of Georgia, Kenner, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, McRae, Moore, Perkins, Pugh, Royston, Russell, Sexton, Smith of Virginia, Trippe, Villeré, Wilcox, and Wright of Texas.
So the amendment was lost.
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Mr. Foster demanded the question, which was upon the engrossment of the bill.
The question was ordered, and the bill was engrossed, read a third time, and passed.
Mr. Curry offered a resolution that the President be requested to communicate to the House what steps have been taken to carry out the provisions of the act for connecting the Richmond and Danville and the North Carolina railroads, and for the connection of the railroad from Selma, in Alabama, to Meridian, in Mississippi;
which was read and agreed to.
Mr. Foster presented a design for a flag; which was referred to the Committee on the Flag and Seal.
Mr. Clopton offered
A resolution that the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire what legislation, if any, is expedient and necessary to punish any citizen of or person residing in the Confederate States, who may sell, barter, or exchange any cotton, tobacco, or other commodity to and with alien enemies, and those persons giving them aid and comfort; and report by bill or otherwise;
which was read and agreed to.
Mr. Foster offered a resolution
That the President be requested, if not incompatible with the public interest, to inform this House what is the present status of General Robert E. Lee and what are his duties.
(2) Resolved, That the President be requested, if not incompatible with the public interest, to furnish this House a court etiquette for the use of members having business with the department over which General Lee presides.
Mr. Moore moved that the resolutions be laid upon the table, and called the question thereon; which was seconded, and the motion prevailed.
Mr. Foster introduced
A bill to promote the efficiency of the Army;
which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Ralls presented the petition of sundry citizens of Jackson and Marshall counties, Ala., for a mail route; which was referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads, without being read.
Mr. Hartridge presented two memorials from sundry citizens of Tatnall and Bullock counties, and of Waynesboro, Ga., in relation to mail routes; which were referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads, without being read.
Mr. Clark presented the memorial of sundry citizens of Greene County, Ga., in relation to cotton; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, without being read.
Also, the memorial of J. H. Chritly, of Athens, Ga., in relation to post routes; which was referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads, without being read.
Mr. Gartrell presented the memorial of Barnet Phillips for citizenship; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, without being read.
Also, a resolution that the principal officer in each of the Executive Departments report to this House on the first of the next session the number, names, and place of residence of all the clerks and employees in their respective Departments, and the amount of pay received by each; which was read and agreed to.
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Mr. Kenner offered
A joint resolution to cause the journals and proceedings of the Convention and Provisional Congress to be printed;
which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Printing.
Mr. Davis offered
A resolution that the House will after this day meet at 12 o'clock m.; which was read and agreed to.
Mr. Clapp offered the memorial of sundry citizens of Lafayette County, Miss., in relation to Sunday mails; which was referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads, without being read.
Mr. Clapp introduced
A bill for the relief of taxpayers in certain cases;
which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Ashe presented the petition of John Manning in relation to a reserved navy list; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, without being read.
Mr. Miles introduced
A bill to organize a signal corps;
which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Also, a bill to increase the Corps of Engineers of the Provisional Army; which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Also, a bill to authorize the appointment of officers of artillery in the Provisional Army; which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Also, a bill to amend an act to provide for the public defense, and to regulate the appointment of generals; which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Farrow presented the memorial of William H. Stribling, asking pay for taking the census; which was referred to the Committee on Claims, without being read.
Mr. Menees presented the memorial and communication from sundry citizens of Sumner County, Tenn., in relation to Confederate money; which were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, without being read.
Mr. Atkins offered
A resolution that no member of this House shall speak more than once or longer than twenty-five minutes upon the same subject without the consent of the House during the present session,
and moved that the rule requiring it to lie over for two days be suspended.
The motion was lost, and the resolution laid over under the rule.
Mr. Foote offered
A joint resolution in relation to the extension of the time of the enlistments of twelve months' volunteers;
When,
On motion of Mr. Holt, the House resolved itself into secret session; and having spent some time therein, again resolved itself into open session.
Mr. Graham offered
A resolution that the Committee on Ways and Means be instructed
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to inquire into the expediency of a law exempting from sale, under the act to authorize the issue of Treasury notes, and to provide a war tax for their redemption, the property, both real and personal, of all the officers and soldiers of our Army during the time they may be so engaged in the service; and that said committee report as early as practicable by bill or otherwise;
which was read and agreed to.
Mr. Boteler offered
A resolution that the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the act of February 15, 1862, in reference to the pay of deceased soldiers, as to obviate the difficulties and delays which claimants under said act are now subjected to;
which was read and agreed to.
Mr. Boteler presented a letter from John Kern, jr., of Richmond, Va., in reference to pay of deceased soldiers; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, without being read.
Mr. Boteler introduced joint resolutions of thanks to Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson and the officers and men under his command for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Kernstown; which were read the first and second times.
The rules were suspended;
The resolutions were taken up, engrossed, read a third time, and passed.
Mr. Staples offered
A resolution that the Committee on Claims inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill making compensation to Sydney S. Baxter for services rendered the Government in investigating charges against certain disloyal citizens imprisoned in the city of Richmond;
which was read and agreed to.
Mr. Garnett moved that he be excused from serving on the Committee on Ways and Means.
The motion was agreed to.
Mr. Lyons moved that the House take up for consideration certainbills relating to the fees of clerks, marshals, etc.
Mr. Vest introduced
A bill to amend an act for the relief of the State of Missouri, approved January 25, 1861;
which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The Chair laid before the House a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury in relation to the war tax; which was read and, with its accompanying documents, referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Also, a letter from Roger A. Pryor, of Virginia; which is as follows:
To the honorable the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Sir: I herewith resign my seat as a member of Congress.
Respectfully,
ROGER A. PRYOR.
which was read and laid on the table.
On motion of Mr. Jones, the Speaker was directed to inform the governor of Virginia of the resignation of Roger A. Pryor as a member of the House of Representatives.
Mr. Conrad, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was
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referred a bill from the Senate to encourage enlistments in the of Marines, reported the same back, with the recommendation that pass with the following amendment, to wit: Strike out the word "four," wherever occurring, and insert in lieu thereof the word "three."
And the bill having been read as follows:
The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That from and alter the passage of this act enlistments in the Marine Corps shall be for the term of the existing war, or for the period of four years, as the recruit may elect at the time of enlistment.
The amendment was agreed to, and the bill as amended was read the third time and passed.
Mr. Conrad, from same committee, reported
A bill to authorize the establishment of a naval school;
which was read the first and second times and placed upon the Calendar.
Also, a bill to amend an act to provide for the organization of the Navy, approved March 16, 1861, and for other purposes; which was read the first and second times, placed upon the Calendar, and ordered to be printed.
Also, a bill to encourage the manufacture of saltpeter and of small arms; which was read the first and second times, placed upon the Calendar, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Conrad, from same committee, to which was referred
A bill to authorize the President to confer temporary rank and command for service with volunteer troops on officers of the Marine Corps of the Confederate States,
reported the same back, and moved that the same be placed upon the Calendar.
The motion was agreed to.
A message was received from the Senate, by their Secretary, Mr. Nash; which is as follows, to wit:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed a bill of the following title, viz:
A bill (S. 25) to be entitled "An act relative to the pay and allowances of deceased soldiers;"
In which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this House.
On motion of Mr. Foote, which was seconded, the House resolved itself into secret session; and having spent some time therein, resolved itself into open session;
When,
A message was received from the Senate, by their Secretary, Mr. Nash; which is as follows, to wit:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed the following resolution, viz:
"Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the President of the Senate to meet such committee as may be appointed on the part of the House for the purpose of framing a joint rule indicating what questions shall be discussed in both bodies in secret session."
In which resolution i am directed to ask the concurrence of this House.
The Senate have appointed as said committee on their part Mr. Yancey, Mr. Orr, and Mr. Davis.
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On motion of Mr. Curry, the House took up for consideration the resolution from the Senate to appoint a joint committee to decide what questions shall be discussed in secret session.
Mr. Curry moved that the resolution be adopted, and the Speaker be authorized to appoint the committee on the part of the House.
The motion prevailed.
A message was received from the Senate, by their Secretary, Mr. Nash, as follows, to wit:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed, unanimously, a resolution of this House of the following title, viz:
Resolution of thanks to Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson and the officers and men under his command for gallant and meritorious services in the battle of Kernstown.
The Senate have agreed to the amendment of the House to the Senate bill (S. 17) to encourage enlistments in the Corps of Marines.
On motion of Mr. Gartrell,
The House then adjourned until 12 o'clock Monday.
SECRET SESSION.
The House being in secret session,
Proceeded to the consideration of joint resolutions offered by Mr. Foote in relation to the extension of the time of the enlistments of twelve months' volunteers.
Mr. Miles moved to lay the resolutions on the table.
The motion prevailed.
A message was received from the Senate, by the hands of Mr. Nash, the Secretary of that body; which is as follows, to wit:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed a bill of the following title, viz:
In which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this House.
On motion of Mr. Sexton, the House resolved itself into open session; and having spent some time therein, again resolved itself into secret session;
When,
The Speaker signed
A bill relative to the estimates of the heads of the several Departments,
reported by Mr. Chambers, from the Committee on Enrollment, as correctly engrossed and enrolled.
Mr. Davis moved that the House do now adjourn.
The motion was lost.
And the House went into Committee of the Whole, Mr. McRae in the chair, on
A bill to prevent the exportation of either cotton or tobacco of the present crop, in certain cases;
and having spent some time therein, the committee rose, and Mr. McRae, their Chairman, reported that according to order they have had the bill under consideration and have come to conclusion thereon, and reported the bill back with an amendment, and recommend that the amendment be printed.
On motion of Mr. Curry,
The House resolved itself into open session.
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