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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 --THIRTY-SECOND DAY--FRIDAY, February 20, 1863.
OPEN SESSION.
The House met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Wise.
Mr. Dargan, by consent, introduced
A bill to be entitled "An act to authorize the Department of Justice to offer rewards for the apprehension of fugitives from justice;" which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Staples, by consent, introduced
A bill to be entitled "An act to provide payment for private property impressed for public use before the passage of the act authorizing impressments;"
which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
The Chair laid before the House a communication from the President; which is as follows, viz:
Richmond, Va., February 19, 1863.
To the House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, in reference to the claims of deceased soldiers, in response to your resolution of the 12th instant.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
which was read and, with its accompanying documents, was laid upon the table and ordered to be printed.
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The Chair also presented a communication from the President; which is as follows, viz:
Richmond, Va., February 19, 1863.
To the House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit a communication from the Secretary of War, in response to your resolution of the 10th instant, in regard to the number of quartermasters on duty in the city of Richmond.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
which was read and, with its accompanying documents, was laid upon the table and ordered to be printed.
The Chair also presented a communication from the President; which is as follows, viz:
Richmond, February 19, 1863.
To the House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, in response to your resolution of the 10th instant, asking for information "in regard to the quality and abundance of iron and coal to be obtained at the place in Alabama at which it is contemplated to establish a cannon foundry," etc.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
which was read and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
The Chair also laid before the House a bill of the Senate to be entitled "An act to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to employ the best pilots for service in the Confederate Marine;" which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. Graham, by consent, introduced
A bill to be entitled "An act to compensate the officers and men of the cavalry force under Major-General Van Dorn, dismounted in Arkansas, for horses lost after said cavalry force was dismounted;" which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments.
Mr. Goode, by consent, introduced
A bill to be entitled "An act to amend an act to organize military courts to attend the Army of the Confederate States in the field, and to define the powers of said courts," approved 9th October, 1862; which was read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Lyons presented the memorial of John W. Atkinson, praying compensation for a warehouse used by the Government; which was, without being read, referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Lyons also presented the memorial of William R. Ashton for property used by the Government; which was referred to the Committee on Claims, without being read.
The House then proceeded to the consideration of the unfinished business; which was
A bill to provide for the arrest of soldiers absent from their commands without leave, and providing compensation to their captors.
Mr. Miles moved a reconsideration of the vote by which the amendment of Mr. Smith of North Carolina was rejected.
Mr. Ewing called for the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered,
Yeas: Baldwin, Boteler, Boyce, Chambliss, Conrad, Conrow, Crockett, Dargan, Dupré, Harris, Hartridge, Hodge, Holt, Lewis, Lyons, McLean, McQueen, McRae, Miles, Munnerlyn, Ralls, Read, Simpson, and Smith of Alabama.
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Nays: Arrington, Ashe, Atkins, Batson, Breckinridge, Bridgers, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chilton, Chrisman, Clark, Clopton, Collier, Currin, Curry, Davidson, De Jarnette, Elliott, Ewing, Foote, Foster, Freeman, Gaither, Garland, Gartrell, Goode, Graham, Hanly, Hilton, Holcombe, Jones, Kenan of Georgia, Kenan of North Carolina, Lander, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, McDowell, Menees, Moore, Perkins, Preston, Royston, Sexton, Smith of North Carolina, Staples, Strickland, Trippe, Wright of Georgia, Wright of Tennessee, and Wright of Texas.
So the motion was lost.
Mr. Elliott, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported as correctly enrolled
And the Speaker signed the same.
Mr. Collier moved to amend the first section by striking out the words "employ such responsible person or persons as he may think proper" and inserting in lieu thereof the words "notify the enrolling officer of the district or districts wherein such absentees are likely to be found."
The amendment was lost.
Mr. Baldwin moved to amend the bill by striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting the following, viz:
Mr. Smith of North Carolina moved to amend the first section by striking out the words "private or noncommissioned officer" and inserting in lieu thereof the words "officer, noncommissioned officer, or private;" which was agreed to.
Mr. Machen moved that the House reconsider the vote by which the amendment of Mr. Chilton, to insert the word "voluntarily" before the word "absent," was rejected.
Mr. Chilton demanded the yeas and nays;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Arrington, Ashe, Baldwin, Boteler, Boyce, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chambliss, Chilton, Chrisman, Clopton, Collier, Curry, Dargan, Davidson, De Jarnette, Dupré, Elliott, Ewing, Foote, Gaither, Garland, Gartrell, Goode, Graham, Hanly, Hartridge, Hodge, Holt, Jones, Kenan of North Carolina, Kenner, Lander, Lyons, Machen, Marshall, McDowell, Menees, Miles, Moore, Munnerlyn, Perkins, Preston, Read, Royston, Russell, Sexton, Simpson, Singleton, Smith of Alabama, Smith of North Carolina, Staples, Strickland, Trippe, Wright of Georgia, Wright of Tennessee, and Wright of Texas.
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Nays: Batson, Clark, Conrad, Conrow, Crockett, Foster, Freeman, Hilton, Kenan of Georgia, Lewis, McLean, McRae, Ralls, Wilcox, and Mr. Speaker.
So the vote was reconsidered, and the amendment was agreed to.
Mr. Perkins moved that the further consideration of the bill and amendments be indefinitely postponed.
Mr. Read demanded the question; which was ordered.
Mr. Miles demanded the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
Pending which,
Mr. Preston called for the order of the day.
Mr. Garnett moved a suspension of the rules to enable him to offer a resolution.
Mr. McLean demanded the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered,
Yeas: Ashe, Batson, Boteler, Boyce, Breckinridge, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chambliss, Chilton, Chrisman, Clark, Clopton, Collier, Conrow, Currin, Dargan, Davidson, De Jarnette, Dupré, Elliott, Foster, Freeman, Gaither, Garnett, Hanly, Hilton, Holt, Jones, Kenan of Georgia, Kenan of North Carolina, Kenner, Lander, Lewis, Lyon, Machen, McDowell, McLean, McQueen, McRae, Miles, Moore, Preston, Ralls, Royston, Simpson, Singleton, Smith of Alabama, Smith of North Carolina, Strickland, Trippe, Vest, Wilcox, Wright of Georgia, and Wright of Tennessee.
Nays: Arrington, Baldwin, Conrad, Crockett, Curry, Ewing, Foote, Garland, Gartrell, Goode, Graham, Hartridge, Hodge, Holcombe, Lyons, Marshall, Menees, Perkins, Russell, Sexton, Staples, and Wright of Texas.
So the rules were suspended, and
Mr. Garnett offered the following resolution, viz:
Resolved, That hereafter during the present session on one shall be allowed to speak more than once on any question pending or more than thirty minutes at one time.
Mr. Garnett demanded the question; which was ordered.
Mr. Lyons demanded the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered,
Yeas: Ashe, Batson, Boteler, Boyce, Breckinridge, Bridgers, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chambers, Chilton, Chrisman, Clark, Clopton, Collier, Conrow, Currin, Dargan, Davidson, De Jarnette, Dupré, Ewing, Foote, Foster, Freeman, Gaither, Garnett, Gartrell, Hanly, Hilton, Hodge, Holt, Jones, Kenan of Georgia, Kenan of North Carolina, Kenner, Lander, Lewis, Lyon, Machen, McDowell, McLean, McQueen, McRae, Miles, Munnerlyn, Preston, Ralls, Read, Royston, Singleton, Smith of Alabama, Smith of North Carolina, Strickland, Trippe, Vest, Wilcox, Wright of Georgia, and Wright of Tennessee.
Nays: Arrington, Baldwin, Chambliss, Conrad, Crockett, Curry, Garland, Goode, Graham, Hartridge, Holcombe, Lyons, Marshall, Menees, Moore, Perkins, Russell, Sexton, Staples, Wright of Texas, and Mr. Speaker.
So the resolution was agreed to.
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Mr. Foote moved a reconsideration of the vote by which the resolution was adopted.
Mr. Garnett demanded the question; which was ordered, and the motion was lost.
Mr. Hanly, by consent, presented the memorial of E. C. Boudinot in relation to Indian affairs; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs, without being read.
Mr. Russell, by consent, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to which was referred
A bill to prevent the employment of negroes in war against the Confederate States of America,
reported the same back, with the recommendation that it pass.
On motion of Mr. Russell, the same was ordered to be printed.
On motion of Mr. Royston,
The House resolved itself into secret session; and having spent some time therein, again resolved itself into open session.
A message was received from the Senate, by their Secretary, Mr. Nash; which is as follows, viz:
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, the bill was taken up and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Preston moved that when the House adjourn to-day it adjourn to meet on Monday at 12 o'clock m.
Mr. Royston demanded the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered,
Yeas: Barksdale, Boteler, Chambliss, Currin, Dupré, Garland, Goode, Graham, Hanly, Hartridge, Holcombe, Lyons, McQueen, McRae, Miles, Moore, Preston, Simpson, Vest, Wilcox, Wright of Tennessee, and Wright of Texas.
Nays: Arrington, Ashe, Atkins, Baldwin, Batson, Bridgers, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chambers, Chilton, Clark, Clopton, Collier, Curry, Davidson, Ewing, Foster, Gaither, Garnett, Gray, Hilton, Holt, Jones, Kenan of Georgia, Kenan of North Carolina, Kenner, Lander, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, McDowell, McLean, Munnerlyn, Perkins, Ralls, Royston, Russell, Sexton, Singleton, Smith of North Carolina, Smith of Virginia, Strickland, and Wright of Georgia.
So the motion was lost.
The Chair laid before the House a communication from the President; which is as follows:
Richmond, Va., February 20, 1863.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit a communication from the Secretary of War, submitting an estimate for the contingent expenses of the Adjutant and Inspector General's Office for the period ending June 30, 1863.
I recommend an appropriation of the amount for the purpose specified.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
which was read, ordered to be printed, and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, with instructions to report a remedy for estimates
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being sent by departments to the House before going through the Treasury Department.
The Chair also presented a communication from the President; which is as follows:
Richmond, Va., February 20, 1863.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit a communication from the Postmaster-General, submitting an estimate of the sum required for the compensation of certain officers and employees of the Post-Office Department from July 1 to October 12, 1863.
I recommend an appropriation of the amount for the purpose specified.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
which was read and, with its accompanying documents, was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed.
The Chair also presented a communication from the President; which is as follows, viz:
Richmond, Va., February 20, 1863.
To the House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit for your information a communication from the Secretary of War, covering a report from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in response to your resolution of the 6th instant, in regard to sums invested or funded for the Cherokee Indians under the treaty of New Echota.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
which, with its accompanying documents, was read, referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs, and ordered to be printed.
The Chair also presented a communication from the President; which is as follows, viz:
Richmond, Va., February 19, 1863.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit a communication from the Secretary of the Navy in regard to the destruction the enemy's sloop Hatteras by the Confederate States steam sloop Alabama, to which I invite your attention.
The conduct of the commander, officers, and crew is commended to your favorable notice.
JEFFERFSON DAVIS.
which was read and, with its accompanying documents, was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
The Chair also presented a communication from the President; which is as follows:
Richmond, Va., February 20, 1863.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit a communication from the Secretary of War, submitting an estimate for an additional appropriation required by the Engineer Bureau for the period ending June 30, 1863.
I recommend an appropriation of the amount for the purpose specified.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
which was read and, with its accompanying documents, was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed.
On motion of Mr. Garnett, an amendment offered by him in Committee of the Whole was ordered to be printed.
Mr. Hilton, by consent, presented the memorial of Brig. Gen. W. G. M. Davis in relation to horses lost; which was referred to the Committee on Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments, without being read.
Mr. Lyons presented the memorial of sundry citizens of Richmond, Va., in relation to the exemption of railroad employees
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Mr. Lyons moved that the same be printed and laid upon the table.
Pending which,
On motion of Mr. Garland,
The House adjourned until 12 o'clock to-morrow.
SECRET SESSION.
The House being in secret session,
Mr. Kenner, from the Committee on Ways and Means, moved to lay on the table the amendment proposed by the committee to a bill to fund the currency and all amendments thereto.
The motion was agreed to.
Mr. Curry moved that the House go into Committee of the Whole on
A bill to provide for the further issue of Treasury notes, and for other purposes.
Upon which Mr. Jones of Tennessee demanded the yeas and nays;
Which being ordered,
Yeas: Ashe, Atkins, Baldwin, Bridgers, Chambers, Clark, Clopton, Conrad, Currin, Curry, Davidson, De Jarnette, Foote, Foster, Garland, Garnett, Gray, Hanly, Hartridge, Holt, Jones, Kenan of Georgia, Kenan of North Carolina, Kenner, Lander, Lyon, Machen, McLean, McQueen, McRae, Munnerlyn, Royston, Simpson, Singleton, Smith of Alabama, Smith of Virginia, Wright of Tennessee, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: Arrington, Batson, Boteler, Boyce, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chambliss, Chilton, Chrisman, Collier, Conrow, Dargan, Dupré, Ewing, Freeman, Gaither, Gartrell, Goode, Graham, Harris, Hilton, Holcombe, Lewis, Lyons, Marshall, McDowell, Menees, Moore, Perkins, Ralls, Read, Russell, Sexton, Smith of North Carolina, Staples, Strickland, Trippe, Vest, Wilcox, Wright of Georgia, and Wright of Texas.
So the motion did not prevail.
And the House proceeded to the consideration of the unfinished business of secret session; which was the consideration of the motion of Mr. Baldwin to indefinitely postpone the further consideration of the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on joint resolutions concerning the present war and matters appertaining thereto.
On motion of Mr. Kenner,
The House went into Committee of the Whole, on a bill to fund the currency, Mr. Russell being in the chair; and having spent some time therein, the committee rose and reported, through their Chairman, that they had had under consideration the subject referred to them, and recommended that a bill to fund the currency and amendments thereto be laid on the table; which was agreed to.
The House then went into Committee of the Whole, on a bill to provide for the further issue of Treasury notes, and for other purposes, Mr. Russell being in the chair; and having spent some time therein, the committee rose and, through their Chairman, reported that they had had under consideration the subject referred to them and had come to no conclusion thereon.
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Mr. Foster moved that the rule limiting debate be suspended to allow Mr. Foote to continue his remarks in Committee of the Whole.
The motion did not prevail.
And the House,
On motion of Mr. Garland,
Resolved itself into open session.
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