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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 --SIXTY-THIRD DAY--MONDAY, January 23, 1865.
OPEN SESSION.
The House met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Burrows.
The Chair laid before the House a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, asking an appropriation to defray the expense of transmitting the election returns of the Army of Tennessee to the
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State of Arkansas; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The Chair also laid before the House a message from the President; which was read as follows, viz:
Richmond, Va., January 20, 1865.
To the House of Representatives:
In response to your resolution of the 30th ultimo. I herewith transmit communications from the Secretaries of the Treasury and of War and from the Postmaster-General, which convey the information called for relative to the means employed to communicate with the Trans-Mississippi Department.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
The message and accompanying documents were laid upon the table and ordered to be printed.
The Chair also laid before the House a bill (H. R. 336) "to authorize the establishment of an office of deposit in connection with the Treasury," which had been returned from the Senate with the following amendments:
Mr. Gray moved that the rules be suspended requiring the amendments to be referred to a committee; which motion prevailed.
On motion of Mr. Lyon, the first amendment of the Senate was concurred in.
On motion of Mr. Lyon, the second amendment of the Senate was disagreed to.
The House resumed the consideration of the unfinished business of Saturday, viz:
The joint resolution "for the relief of Nathaniel Moore."
Mr. McMullin moved that the joint resolution be referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Bell called the question; which was ordered, and the motion to refer prevailed.
Mr. Fuller presented joint resolution of the legislature of North Carolina relative to brigading certain North Carolina regiments; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Also, joint resolution of the legislature of North Carolina of instructions to our Senators and Representatives in Congress in regard to disabled soldiers; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Also, joint resolution of the Legislature of North Carolina in relation to the expenses of the State incurred in the execution of the conscription laws; which was referred to the Special Committee on the Claims of the States.
Mr. Gilmer presented duplicate copies of the joint resolutions of the legislature of North Carolina just-presented by his colleague, Mr. Fuller; which were similarly referred.
Mr. Gaither offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary inquire into the expediency of so amending the law entitled "An-act to prohibit dealing in the paper currency of the enemy," approved February sixth; eighteen hundred and sixty-four, as
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to provide that it shall not apply to purchases made and sent to our prisoners in the enemy's lines.
Mr. J. T. Leach submitted the following series of resolutions:
Whereas the protracted struggle on the part of the Confederate States for their constitutional rights against the Federal Government, who claims the exercise of rights over the States and the property of the citizens not guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States nor the laws of Congress, is just cause of alarm to the friends of civil liberty; and
Whereas the cruel manner in which the war has been conducted on the part of the Federal authorities in the destruction of the private property of noncombatants and other acts of wantonness not tolerated by the usages of civilized nations justifies the painful apprehension that the Federal authorities are blind to their constitutional obligations, deaf to the demands of justice, the appeals of suffering humanity, the groans of the dying, the cries and tears of hapless mothers and weeping orphans:
Resolved, Therefore, for the purpose of averting, if possible, the further horrors of this bloody fratricidal strife, revolting alike to the feelings of statesmen, patriots, and Christians, and to add moral to our physical strength, that we, the members of the House of Representatives of the Confederate Congress, in behalf of justice and suffering humanity, appeal most earnestly to the President and Senators of the Confederate Congress to appoint such number of commissioners as in their judgment the importance of the occasion demands to offer an armistice to the Federal authorities preparatory to negotiations for peace.
Resolved, That should the Federal authorities agree to an armistice and consent to negotiate for peace, that the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, be requested to appoint commissioners for the purpose of conferring with the Federal authorities, and that such terms of peace as may be agreed to by them and ratified by the President and Senate, two-thirds of the Senators concurring, shall constitute the bond of peace between the belligerents.
Resolved, That should the Federal authorities refuse to entertain terms of peace by negotiation, and thereby deny us our constitutional rights, that for the purpose of more effectually maintaining those rights, at the same time to avert, if possible, the fearful and humiliating fate of subjugation, alike revolting to the feelings of freemen and repugnant to the demands of justice, that we, the Representatives of this House, do unanimously pledge the undivided resources of the Confederate States in the defense of our inalienable rights as freemen.
On motion of Mr. Atkins, the resolutions were referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Atkins introduced
A bill "to prohibit speculation in gold and silver, and to protect the currency;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Mr. Smith of North Carolina moved that the rules be suspended to enable him to report from the Special Committee on the Claims of the States; which motion prevailed.
Mr. Smith of North Carolina, from the Special Committee on the Claims of the States, reported
A bill "to provide for certain claims due the State of Louisiana;" which was read a first and second time.
The question being on postponing the bill and placing it on the Calendar,
It was decided in the negative.
On motion of Mr. Smith of North Carolina, the rule was suspended requiring the bill to be considered in Committee of the Whole.
The bill was engrossed and read a third time.
The question recurring and being put,
Shall the bill pass?
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The yeas and nays required by the Constitution were recorded,
Yeas: Akin, Anderson, Atkins, Baylor, Bell, Blandford, Boyce, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Carroll, Chambers, Chilton, Chrisman, Clopton, Cluskey, Colyar, Conrow, Darden, De Jarnette, Dupré, Ewing, Farrow, Foote, Fuller, Gaither, Garland, Gholson, Gilmer, Goode, Gray, Hanly, Hatcher, Herbert, Johnston, Keeble, Lamkin, J. M. Leach, J. T. Leach, Logan, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, McMullin, Menees, Miles, Moore, Norton, Perkins, Pugh, Read, Russell, Sexton, Shewmake, Simpson, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Snead, Triplett, Turner, Villeré, Wickham, Witherspoon, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: None.
Two-thirds having voted in the affirmative, the bill was passed, and the title was read and agreed to.
Mr. Smith of North Carolina, from the same committee, reported bill "to provide for certain claims due the State of North Carolina;"
which was read a first and second time.
The question being on postponing the bill,
It was decided in the negative.
On motion of Mr. Smith of North Carolina, the rule was suspended requiring the bill to be considered in Committee of the Whole.
The bill was engrossed and read a third time.
The question recurring and being put,
Shall the bill pass?
The yeas and nays required by the Constitution were recorded,
Yeas: Anderson, Atkins, Batson, Baylor, Bell, Blandford, Boyce, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Carroll, Chambers, Chilton, Chrisman, Clark, Clopton, Cluskey, Colyar, Conrow, Darden, De Jarnette, Dupré, Ewing, Farrow, Foster, Fuller, Gaither, Garland, Gholson, Gilmer, Goode, Hanly, Hatcher, Holder, Johnston, Keeble, Lamkin, J. M. Leach, J. T. Leach, Logan, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, McMullin, Menees, Miles, Moore, Norton, Perkins, Pugh, Read, Russell, Sexton, Shewmake, Simpson, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Snead, Staples, Triplett, Turner, Villeré, Wickham, Witherspoon, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: None.
Two-thirds having voted in the affirmative, the bill was passed, and the title was read and agreed to.
The Chair announced the appointment of the special joint committee on the part of the House to prepare an address to the people of the Confederate States as follows, viz:
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Mr. Farrow presented a communication from W. S. Dogan, on compensation of couriers of the Medical Department; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Miles presented a communication from J. J. Browning, assessor of taxes in South Carolina, on the subject of forage for assessors; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Miles presented the petition of Ann H. and Helena M. Roux, praying duplicates for bonds destroyed by fire; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Branch introduced
A joint resolution "in regard to the Cotton Bureau in the Trans-Mississippi Department;"
which was read a first and second time.
On motion of Mr. Branch, the rule was suspended requiring the joint resolution to be referred to a committee.
Pending the further consideration of the joint resolution,
The morning hour having [expired],
On motion of Mr. Blandford, the special order was postponed.
Mr. Blandford moved that the joint resolution "in regard to the Cotton Bureau in the Trans-Mississippi Department" be postponed to enable him to introduce a bill; which motion prevailed.
Mr. Blandford introduced
A bill "to amend an act to organize forces to serve during the war;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
The House resumed the consideration of the special order, viz:
The bill "to diminish the number of exemptions and details."
The question was ordered, and the amendment of Mr. McMullin was reconsidered.
The question recurring on the adoption of the amendment,
Mr. McMullin demanded the yeas and nays;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Baldwin, Bell, Fuller, Garland, Gilmer, Hatcher, Herbert, Holder, Lamkin, J. M. Leach, J. T. Leach, Lester, Logan, McMullin, Miller, Ramsay, J. M. Smith, Triplett, Turner, Wickham, and Witherspoon.
Nays: Akin, Anderson, Atkins, Batson, Baylor, Blandford, Boyce, Branch, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Carroll, Chambers, Chilton, Chrisman, Clark, Clopton, Cluskey, Conrow, Darden, De Jarnette, Dupré, Elliott, Ewing, Farrow, Foster, Gaither, Gholson, Goode, Hanly, Johnston, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, Miles, Moore, Norton, Orr, Pugh, Read, Russell, Sexton, Shewmake, Simpson, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Villeré, and Wilkes.
So the amendment was rejected.
Mr. Ewing demanded the previous question; which was not ordered.
Mr. Chambers moved to refer the bill and amendments to a special committee of five members.
Pending which,
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A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Nash, their Secretary; which is as follows, viz:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have appointed Mr. Watson, Mr. Simms, and Mr. Caperton as the committee on their part under the resolution providing for the appointment of a joint committee to investigate the condition and treatment of prisoners of war held by the Confederate and United States Governments.
Mr. Machen called the question; which was ordered, and the motion to refer was lost.
Mr. Chambers, by consent, submitted the following amendment:
In section 2, strike out the word "forty" and insert in lieu thereof the word "forty-five."
Mr. Miller called the question.
Mr. Snead moved the previous question; which was ordered.
The question being on the amendment of Mr. Chambers,
Mr. J. T. Leach demanded the yeas and nays;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Akin, Bell, Boyce, Eli M. Bruce, Chambers, Clark, Clopton, Colyar, Darden, Ewing, Farrow, Gaither, Hatcher, Johnston, Lamkin, J. T. Leach, Lyon, Miles, Miller, Moore, Murray, Norton, Orr, Read, Simpson, J. M. Smith, Triplett, Villeré, and Witherspoon.
Nays: Anderson, Baldwin, Barksdale, Batson, Branch, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Carroll, Chilton, Chrisman, Conrow, Cruikshank, De Jarnette, Dupré, Foster, Fuller, Garland, Gholson, Gilmer, Goode, Hanly, Holder, Keeble, J. M. Leach, Lester, Logan, Machen, Marshall, McMullin, Menees, Pugh, Ramsay, Russell, Sexton, Shewmake, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Snead, Staples, Turner, Wickham, and Wilkes.
So the amendment was rejected.
The question recurring on the amendment of Mr. Sexton,
Mr. Sexton demanded the yeas and nays thereon;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Bell, Boyce, Chilton, Clopton, Cruikshank, Darden, De Jarnette, Fuller, Gaither, Gilmer, Hatcher, Herbert, Hilton, J. M. Leach, J. T. Leach, Lester, Logan, McMullin, Miles, Moore, Perkins, Ramsay, Sexton, Shewmake, Simpson, Smith of North Carolina, Snead, Triplett, Turner, Villeré, and Wickham.
Nays: Akin, Anderson, Baldwin, Batson, Bradley, Branch, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Carroll, Chambers, Chrisman, Clark, Colyar, Conrow, Dupré, Elliott, Ewing, Farrow, Foster, Garland, Gholson, Goode, Hanly, Helder, Johnston, Keeble, Lamkin, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, Menees, Miller, Norton, Orr, Pugh, Read, Russell, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, and Witherspoon.
So the amendment was rejected.
The question recurring on ordering the bill to be engrossed and read a third time,
It was decided in the affirmative.
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Mr. Chilton moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was ordered to its engrossment.
Mr. Russell called the question; which was ordered.
Mr. Clark demanded the yeas and nays thereon;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Baylor, Chilton, Darden, Fuller, Gilmer, Herbert, Hilton, Lamkin, J. M. Leach, J. T. Leach Lester, Logan, McMullin, Perkins, Ramsay, Sexton, Shewmake, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Snead, Turner, Wickham, and Witherspoon.
Nays: Atkins, Baldwin, Barksdale, Batson, Bell, Boyce, Bradley, Branch, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Carroll, Chambers, Chrisman, Clark, Colyar, Conrow, Cruikshank, De Jarnette, Dupré, Elliott, Ewing, Farrow, Foster, Gaither, Garland, Gholson, Goode, Gray, Hatcher, Holder, Johnston, Keeble, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, Menees, Miles, Miller, Moore, Murray, Norton, Orr, Pugh, Read, Russell, Simpson, Staples, Triplett, Villeré, Wilkes, and Mr. Speaker.
So the motion to reconsider was lost.
The bill having been engrossed and read a third time,
Mr. Russell called the question; which was ordered.
The question being put,
Shall the bill pass?
Mr. McMullin demanded the yeas and nays;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Atkins, Barksdale, Batson, Baylor, Bell, Blandford, Bradley, Branch, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Carroll, Chambers, Chrisman, Clark, Colyar, Conrow, Darden, De Jarnette, Dupré, Elliott, Ewing, Farrow, Foster, Gaither, Garland, Gholson, Goode, Gray, Hatcher, Johnston, Keeble, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, Menees, Miller, Moore, Norton, Orr, Pugh, Read, Russell, Simpson, W. E. Smith, Triplett, Villeré, and Wilkes.
Nays: Akin, Anderson, Baldwin, Boyce, Chilton, Clopton, Cruikshank, Fuller, Gilmer, Hilton, Lamkin, J. T. Leach, Lester, Logan, McMullin, Miles, Perkins, Ramsay, Sexton, Shewmake, J. M. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Snead, Turner, Wickham, and Witherspoon.
So the bill was passed, and the title was read and agreed to.
Mr. Russell moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed, and called the question; which was ordered.
The motion to reconsider was lost.
On motion of Mr. Lyon, the House resolved itself into secret session; and having spent some time therein, resolved itself into open session.
On motion of Mr. Hilton,
The House adjourned until 11 o'clock to-morrow.
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SECRET SESSION.
The House being in secret session,
The Chair laid before the House a message from the President; which is as follows, viz:
Richmond, Va., January 20, 1865.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit for your consideration a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, covering an estimate for an additional appropriation required for the public service.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
The communication and accompanying documents were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
On motion of Mr. Russell, the injunction of secrecy was removed from the act "supplemental to an act to organize forces to serve during the war."
A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Nash, their Secretary; which is as follows, viz:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed a joint resolution of the following title, viz:
In which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this House.
The Chair laid before the House a Senate joint resolution "directing the transfer of certain funds from the Navy Department to the Treasury;" which was read a first and second time.
On motion of Mr. Lyon, the rule was suspended requiring the joint resolution to be referred to a committee.
On motion of Mr. Lyon, the unfinished business was postponed, and the joint resolution was read a third time and passed, and the title was read and agreed to.
On motion of Mr. Lyon, all preceding special orders were postponed, and the special order, viz:
The bill "to levy additional taxes for the year eighteen hundred and sixty-five for the support of the Government,"
was taken up for consideration.
Mr. J. M. Leach moved that all further consideration of the bill be had in open session.
Pending which,
On motion of Mr. Machen,
The House resolved itself into open session.
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