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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-EIGHTH DAY--TUESDAY, June 14, 1864.
OPEN SESSION.
The Chair laid before the House
A bill (H. R. 160) "to amend the laws relating to the commutation value of hospital rations;"
which had been returned from the Senate with the following amendment:
After the word "Army," in line 12, insert the words "in hospitals."
The question being on concurring in the amendment.
It was decided in the affirmative.
On motion of Mr. Hilton, the unfinished business of yesterday, which was the joint resolution "of thanks to General E. Kirby Smith and the officers and soldiers of his command," was postponed.
Mr. Farrow, from the Committee on Claims, reported
A joint resolution "of thanks to and for the relief of Major Gaspar Tochman, formerly of the Polish Army;"
which was postponed, placed on the Calendar, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Farrow, from the same committee, to whom had been referred the memorial of Gen. G. Tochman, asking relief from expenses incurred in raising the Polish Brigade, reported back the same with the recommendation that the committee be discharged from its further consideration, and that it be laid upon the table and printed; which was agreed to.
Mr. Heiskell, from the same committee, to whom had been referred the claim of Flag Officer F. Forrest for eight tons coal purchased for office use, reported back the same with the recommendation that the committee be discharged from its further consideration, and that it do lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Heiskell, from the same committee, also submitted a written report upon the same subject; which was laid upon the table.
Mr. Heiskell, from the same committee, reported
A bill "to provide for the renewal of papers which have been destroyed;"
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which was read a first and second time, postponed, and placed upon the Calendar.
Mr. Heiskell, from the same committee, to whom had been referred the claims of John Y. Flowers, R. Y. Jones, and G. T. G. White, reported back the same with the recommendation that the committee be discharged from their further consideration, and that they do lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Heiskell, from the Committee on Elections, to whom had been referred
A bill "to provide for holding elections in case of vacancy in the representation of any State in the Congress of the Confederate States,"
reported back the same with the recommendation that the committee be discharged from its further consideration, and that it do lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Heiskell, from the Committee on Claims, reported
A bill "to suspend certain laws therein mentioned and to provide for compensating the services of officers;"
which was read a first and second time, postponed, and placed on the Calendar.
Mr. Heiskell, from the same committee, to whom had been referred the memorial of J. F. McClure, quartermaster, Confederate States Army, asking relief from loss incurred by losing chest containing his papers, etc., reported back the same with the recommendation that the committee be discharged from its further consideration, and that it do lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Holliday, from the same committee, reported
A bill "to provide compensation for officers and privates who may have heretofore performed the duties of drillmasters under the orders of their superior officers;"
which was read a first and second time, postponed, and placed upon the Calendar.
Mr. Holliday, from the same committee, to whom had been referred the memorial of Henry Miller, asking compensation for property destroyed by Confederate forces at the battle of White Sulphur, and the memorial of F. W. Bass, asking for the reissue of certain coupon bonds destroyed by fire, reported back the same with the recommendation that the committee be discharged from their further consideration. and that they do lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Smith of North Carolina, from the same committee, to whom had been referred a joint resolution of the Senate (S. 19) "for the relief of Captain Walker Anderson," reported back the same with the recommendation that the committee be discharged from its further consideration, and that it do lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Smith of North Carolina, from the same committee, to whom had been referred a Senate bill (S. 9) "for the relief of Green T. Hill," reported back the same with the recommendation that it be postponed and placed upon the Calendar; which was agreed to.
Mr. Smith of North Carolina. from the same committee, to whom had been referred the claim of Henry Exall for making sundry plans and drawings for flags and seals, reported back the same with the recommendation that the Committee be discharged from its further
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consideration, and that it be referred to the Committee on Accounts; which was agreed to.
Mr. Smith of North Carolina, from the same committee, to whom had been referred a Senate bill (S. 63) "for the relief of Mrs. Margaret A. Rice," reported back the same with the recommendation that it be postponed and placed upon the Calendar; which was agreed to.
The Chair laid before the House a Senate bill (S. 1) "to provide and organize a general staff for armies in the field, to serve during the war;" which was read a first and second time.
Mr. Chambers moved to suspend the rule requiring the bill to be referred to a committee.
The motion prevailed.
Mr. Chambers moved the previous question; which was ordered.
The question being on ordering the bill to a third reading,
It was decided in the affirmative.
The bill having been read a third time, and the question recurring on its passage,
Mr. Foster demanded the yeas and nays;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Anderson, Barksdale, Boyce, Branch, Bridgers, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Chambers, Clark, Clopton, Colyar, Dupré, Elliott, Fuller, Funsten, Gholson, Goode, Hanly, Hartridge, Heiskell, Hilton, Holliday, Kenner, Lamkin, J. T. Leach, Machen, Menees, Miles, Montague, Perkins, Pugh, Read, Russell, Shewmake, Simpson, W. E. Smith, and Villeré.
Nays: Baylor, Blandford, Chilton, Cruikshank, Dickinson, Ewing, Farrow, Foote, Foster, Gaither, Holder, Johnston, McMullin, J. M. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Triplett, Welsh, Witherspoon, and Mr. Speaker.
So the bill was passed, and the title was read and agreed to.
The following message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Nash, their Secretary:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have concurred in the amendment of the House of Representatives to the bill of the Senate (S. 55) to authorize the formation of new commands, to be composed of supernumerary officers who may resign to join such commands, and to limit and restrict the appointment of officers in certain cases.
The Chair laid before the House a Senate bill (S. 36) "to provide for the impressment of the railroad iron, equipments, and rolling stock of railroads when the same shall become necessary for the public defense, and to make further provisions for the efficient transportation of troops and military supplies;" which was read a first and second time.
Mr. Lyon moved a suspension of the rules.
Mr. Fuller demanded the yeas and nays;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Barksdale, Baylor, Boyce, Bradley, Branch, Bridgers, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Chambers, Clark, Colyar, Cruikshank, Dupré, Elliott, Ewing, Foster, Funsten, Gholson, Goode,
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Heiskell, Johnston, Kenner, Lyon, Marshall, McCallum, Menees, Miles, Montague, Perkins, Pugh, Read, Russell, Villeré, Welsh, Wright, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: Anderson, Blandford, Chilton, Clopton, Dickinson, Farrow, Foote, Fuller, Gaither, Hanly, Hilton, Holder, Lamkin, J. T. Leach, Machen, McMullin, Shewmake, Simpson, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Triplett, and Witherspoon.
So the motion was lost, and the bill was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Lyon moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was referred to the committee.
The motion was lost.
Mr. Lyon moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was referred to a committee.
Mr. Fuller demanded the yeas and nays;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Barksdale, Boyce, Bradley, Branch, Bridgers, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chambers, Clark, Clopton, Colyar, Conrad, Cruikshank, Elliott, Ewing, Foster, Gholson, Goode, Hilton, Holliday, Johnston, Keeble, Kenner, Lyon, Machen, McCallum, Menees, Miles, Montague, Perkins, Pugh, Read, Rives, Russell, Simpson, Villeré, and Wright.
Nays: Anderson, Blandford, Burnett, Chilton, Dickinson, Dupré, Farrow, Foote, Fuller, Gaither, Hanly, Hartridge, Holder, Lamkin, J. T. Leach, McMullin, Shewmake, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Triplett, and Witherspoon.
So the motion was lost.
The Chair laid before the House a Senate bill (S. 60) "to amend an act entitled 'An act to prohibit the importation of luxuries, or of articles not necessaries or of common use,' approved February sixth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four:" which was read a first and second time.
Mr. Hartridge moved to suspend the rule requiring the bill to be referred to a committee.
Upon which Mr. Hilton demanded the yeas and nays;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Anderson, Baylor, Bradley, Branch, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Chambers, Chilton, Clopton, Conrad, De Jarnette, Dickinson, Dupré, Ewing, Farrow, Foote, Fuller, Gaither, Gholson, Goode, Hartridge, Heiskell, Hilton, Johnston, Keeble, Kenner, Lamkin, J. T. Leach, Marshall, McCallum, McMullin, Menees, Miles, Montague, Pugh, Read, Rives, Russell, Shewmake, Triplett, Turner, Villeré, Welsh, Witherspoon, Wright, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: Barksdale, Blandford, Clark, Cruikshank, Hanly, Lyon, J. M. Smith, and W. E. Smith.
Two-thirds having voted in the affirmative, the rule was suspended, and the bill was read a third time and passed, and the title was read and agreed to.
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The Chair laid before the House a Senate bill (S. 72) "to amend an act entitled '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 October ninth, eighteen hundred and sixty-two;" which was read a first and second time.
The rule having been suspended requiring the bill to be referred to a committee,
Mr. Hanly submitted the following amendment:
In line 7, after the word "officers," insert the words "and noncommissioned officers and privates."
Mr. Foote demanded the yeas and nays thereon;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Anderson, Barksdale, Baylor, Blandford, Bradley, Branch, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Chilton, Cruikshank, De Jarnette, Dupré, Elliott, Ewing, Farrow, Foote, Foster, Fuller, Gaither, Goode, Hanly, Hartridge, Hilton, Holder, Keeble, Kenner, Lyon, Marshall, McCallum, McMullin, Menees, Miller, Montague, Perkins, Read, Rives, Rogers, Russell, Shewmake, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Triplett, Villeré, Welsh, Witherspoon, Wright, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: Burnett, Chambers, Clark, Clopton, Dickinson, Funsten, Gholson, Heiskell, Johnston, Lamkin, J. T. Leach, Machen, and Miles.
So the amendment was agreed to.
Mr. Hanly moved further to amend the bill by adding at the end the following proviso:
Provided, That in case noncommissioned officers and privates are detailed as above they shall be paid the same compensation as in other cases of detail under existing laws;
Which amendment was lost.
The bill was read a third time and passed, and the title was read and agreed to.
The Chair laid before the House a Senate bill (S. 54) "to organize the light artillery of the Confederate States of America;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Also, a Senate bill (S. 83) "relative to the salaries of the judges of the district courts of the Confederate States;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Also, a Senate joint resolution (S. 15) "in relation to the President's salary;" which was read a first and second time.
Mr. Foote moved to lay the joint resolution on the table, and demanded the yeas and nays thereon;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Barksdale, Baylor, Branch, Eli M. Bruce, Burnett, Chilton, Clark, Clopton, Colyar, Conrad, Dickinson, Dupré, Elliott, Ewing, Farrow, Foote, Fuller, Funsten, Gaither, Goode, Hanly, Heiskell, Holder, Holliday, Johnston, Kenner, Lamkin, J. T. Leach, Lyon, Marshall, McMullin, Menees, Miles, Millers, Montague, Perkins, Pugh,
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Rives, Russell, Shewmake, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Turner, Villeré, Welsh, Wright, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: Anderson, Blandford, Bradley, Horatio W. Bruce, Chambers, De Jarnette, Gholson, Hilton, Read, Triplett, and Witherspoon.
So the motion to lay on the table prevailed.
Mr. Lyon moved that the rules be suspended to enable the Committee on Ways and Means to report.
Mr. Blandford demanded the yeas and nays thereon;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Barksdale, Baylor, Bradley, Branch, Bridgers, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Chambers, Clark, Clopton, Conrad, Cruikshank, Elliott, Funsten, Gaither, Gholson, Goode, Heiskell, Hilton, Holder, Holliday, Johnston, Keeble, Kenner, Lyon, Machen, Marshall, McCallum, Miles, Montague, Perkins, Read, Rives, Russell, Simpson, Triplett, Villeré, Welsh, Witherspoon, Wright, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: Anderson, Blandford, Chilton, Ewing, Farrow, Foote, Fuller, Hanly, Hartridge, Lamkin, J. T. Leach, McMullin, Miller, Rogers, Shewmake, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, and Turner.
Two-thirds having voted in the affirmative, the rules were suspended.
The following message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Nash, their Secretary:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have agreed to the amendment of the House of Representatives to the bill (S. 55) to authorize the formation of new commands, to be composed of supernumerary officers who may resign to join such commands, and to limit and restrict the appointment of officers in certain cases.
And they have rejected the bill of this House (H. R. 152) to amend the first section of an act entitled "An act to organize the clerical force of the Treasury Department" approved February 13. 1862.
The President of the Confederate States has notified the Senate that on the 13th instant he approved and signed an act (S. 59) to authorize the owners of the registered eight per cent ten-year convertible bonds issued under the provisions of the act approved May 16, 1861, to exchange the same for coupon bonds.
Mr. Lyon, from the Committee on Ways and Means, to whom had been referred a Senate bill (S. 36) "to provide for the impressment of the railroad iron, equipments, and rolling stock of railroads when the same shall become necessary for the public defense, and to make further provisions for the efficient transportation of troops and military supplies," reported back the same with the recommendation that it do pass.
The question being on postponing the bill and placing it on the Calendar,
It was decided in the negative.
Mr. Smith of North Carolina submitted the following amendment:
In section 1, line 4, after the word "railroad," insert the words "not owned in whole or in part by a State, and in such case only with the consent of the authorities of such State."
Mr. Miles moved that the hour of adjournment be postponed until 3 o'clock.
Mr. Foote moved that it be postponed until half past 2; which latter motion prevailed.
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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 agreed to the amendments of the House of Representatives to the bill (S. 72) to amend an act entitled "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 October 9, 1862.
Mr. Cruikshank, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported as correctly enrolled
And the Speaker signed the same.
Mr. Cruikshank, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported as correctly enrolled
And the Speaker signed the same.
The question recurring on the amendment of Mr. Smith of North Carolina,
Mr. Foote demanded the, yeas and nays thereon;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Anderson, Blandford, Bradley, Bridgers, Horatio W. Bruce, Chambers, Clopton, De Jarnette, Dickinson, Elliott, Farrow, Foote, Fuller, Gaither, Hanly, Hartridge, Heiskell, Hilton, Holder, Holliday, Lamkin, J. T. Leach, Machen, Marshall, McCallum, McMullin,
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Rogers, Shewmake, Simpson, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Staples, Triplett, Villeré, and Welsh.
Nays: Barksdale, Baylor, Boyce, Branch, Eli M. Bruce, Clark, Colyar, Conrad, Dupré, Funsten, Gholson, Johnston, Keeble, Kenner, Lyon, Menees, Miles, Montague, Pugh, Read, Rives, Russell, and Wright.
So the amendment was agreed to.
Mr. Hanly moved to reconsider the vote by which the amendment of Mr. Smith of North Carolina was agreed to.
The motion to reconsider prevailed.
The following message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Nash, their Secretary:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have agreed to the resolution of the House of Representatives extending the hour for the adjournment of the two Houses to two and a half o'clock to-day.
Mr. Conrad submitted the following amendment to the amendment of Mr. Smith of North Carolina (in the nature of a substitute):
Provided, That the interest held by any State in a railroad shall not be expropriated under or affected by this act.
Mr. Read moved the previous question; which was ordered.
The question being on the amendment of Mr. Conrad to the amendment of Mr. Smith,
It was decided in the negative.
The question recurring on the amendment of Mr. Smith of North Carolina,
Mr. Foote demanded the yeas and nays;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Bradley, Bridgers, Clopton, Cruikshank, Dickinson, Elliott, Farrow, Foote, Fuller, Hilton, Holder, Lamkin, J. T. Leach, Machen, McCallum, Perkins, Rogers, Shewmake, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Triplett, Turner, Witherspoon, and Mr. Speaker.
Nays: Ayer, Barksdale, Branch, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Chambers, Clark, Conrad, Dupré, Ewing, Funsten, Gholson, Goode, Heiskell, Johnston, Kenner, Lyon, Marshall, Menees, Miles, Miller, Montague, Pugh, Read, Rives, Russell, Villeré, and Wright.
So the amendment was lost.
The question recurring on ordering the bill to a third reading,
It was decided in the affirmative.
Mr. Foote moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was ordered to a third reading.
Mr. Fuller demanded the yeas and nays thereon;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Anderson, Blandford, Bradley, Bridgers, Clopton, Colyar, Cruikshank, Dickinson, Farrow, Foote, Foster, Fuller, Gaither, Hartridge, Hilton, Holder, Lamkin, J. T. Leach, McCallum, McMullin, Menees, Perkins, Shewmake, Simpson, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Triplett, Turner, and Witherspoon.
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Nays: Ayer, Barksdale, Branch, Eli M. Bruce, Burnett, Clark, Conrad, Dupré, Elliott, Ewing, Funsten, Gholson, Goods, Johnston, Keeble, Kenner, Lyon, Marshall, Miles, Miller, Montague, Pugh, Rives, Russell, Staples, Villeré, Welsh, and Wright.
So the motion to reconsider prevailed.
Mr. Foote submitted the following amendment:
Add the following proviso at the end of the fifth section: "Provided, That nothing in this section of this act shall be so construed as to operate in any way upon the interest or property of any one of the Confederate States, or as compelling said States or any of them to appear as parties in any case before the judicial tribunals of the Confederate States for the defense of said interests or property."
A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Nash, their Secretary; which is as follows, viz:
Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed a resolution for the appointment of a committee, to join such committee as may be appointed by the House of Representatives, to wait upon the President of the Confederate States and inform him that, unless he may have some further communication to make, the two Houses are now ready to adjourn, and have appointed Mr. Henry, Mr. Barnwell. and Mr. Graham as the committee on their part.
Mr. Marshall moved to amend the amendment of Mr. Foote by striking out the words "upon the interest, or property of any one of the Confederate States."
Mr. McMullin moved to lay the bill and amendments on the table; which latter motion prevailed.
Mr. Conrad, by unanimous consent, offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the President be requested to transmit to this House at the commencement of the next session a tabular statement showing the product in each Slate or the tax in kind for the year eighteen hundred and sixty-three, said statement to exhibit the quantity of each article paid by the several States, the aggregate quantity contributed by all the States, and the value thereof estimated as in cases of impressment.
Mr. Smith of North Carolina moved to amend the resolution by adding thereto the following, viz:
and also a statement of the other taxes collected from the States, respectively, and of the several sources from which they were derived.
The amendment was agreed to, and the resolution as amended was adopted.
Mr. Miles, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom had been referred sundry reports of battles, reported back the same with the recommendation that they do lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Also, a communication from the commanding general relative to the tobacco ration, with the commendation that it be laid upon the table and printed: which was agreed to.
Also. a report, of the surrender of New Orleans, with the recommendation that it be laid upon the table and that the usual number of copies (1,000) be printed; which was agreed to.
A message was received from the President, by Mr. Harrison, his Private Secretary, as follows, viz:
Mr. Speaker: The President has to-day approved and signed the following acts, entitled
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and of the Assistant Attorney-General and the Comptroller of the Treasury and other officers therein named;
Very respectfully,
BURTON N. HARRISON,
Private Secretary.
Richmond, Va., June 14 1864.
Mr. Chambers moved to reconsider the vote by which the Senate bill (S. 36) "to provide for the impressment of the railroad iron, equipments, and rolling stock of railroads when the same shall become necessary for the public defense, and to make further provisions for the efficient transportation of troops and military supplies," was laid upon the table.
No quorum voting,
Mr. Chambers moved a call of the House, and demanded the yeas and nays thereon;
Which were ordered,
Yeas: Ayer, Branch, Eli M. Bruce, Burnett, Chambers, Cruikshank, Dickinson, Elliott, Ewing, Farrow, Gholson, Goods, Holder, Machen, Marshall, McCallum, Montague, Perkins, Triplett, Villeré, Welsh, and Witherspoon.
Nays: Anderson, Barksdale, Bradley, Bridgers, Horatio W. Bruce, Clark, Clopton, Conrad, De Jarnette, Dupré, Foote, Foster, Fuller, Funsten, Gaither, Hartridge, Heiskell, Hilton, Holliday, Johnston, Keeble, Kenner, Lamkin, J. T. Leach, Lyon, McMullin, Menees, Miles, Read, Rives, Rogers, Russell, Shewmake, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, and Staples.
So the motion was lost.
Mr. McMullin moved to lay the motion to reconsider on the table; which motion prevailed.
The Chair announced the appointment of the special committee under Mr. Pugh's resolution touching the printing of the debates in the House as follows, viz:
Messrs. Pugh of Alabama, Perkins of Louisiana, and Gholson of Virginia.
Mr. Welsh, from the Committee on Accounts. submitted a report; which was laid upon the table and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Welsh, from the same committee, under a suspension of the rules, offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the Doorkeeper of this House be directed to pay out of the contingent fund the postage on unpaid letters addressed to the members thereof, and that he prepay the postage on letters and other documents sent from the city of Richmond to members at other places.
The Chair appointed Messrs. Russell of Virginia, Barksdale of Mississippi, and Foster of Alabama a committee on the part of the House to wait upon the President in conjunction with a similar committee which had been appointed by the Senate, and ascertain whether he had any further communication to make.
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The Chair laid before the House a communication from the President; which was read as follows, viz:
To the House of Representatives of the Congress of the Confederate States:
I herewith return to you an act to amend an act entitled "An act to reduce the currency and to authorize a new issue of notes and bonds," approved February 17, 1864, with the objections which induce me to withhold my approval thereof.
Under the provisions of the act of February 17, 1864, all Treasury notes above the denomination of $5, not bearing interest, which shall lint have been funded east of the Mississippi on April 1, 1864, and on the 1st of July west of the Mississippi, are made subject to a tax of 331/3 cents on the dollar, Notes of the denomination of $100 are made subject to a further tax of 10 per cent per month until funded: and all these notes outstanding on January 1, 1865, are then taxed 100 per cent.
The effect of these provisions east of the Mississippi is to reduce the nominal rate of all notes one-third after the 1st of April; to increase this reduction 10 per cent per month on the $100 notes until November 1, 1864, at which date they are extinguished, and on January 1, 1865, to extinguish the other notes. The amendatory act which it is now proposed to pass grants to certain persons the privilege of funding at par all these notes until 1st of January, 1865, and thus in effect gives to them precisely the rights which are taken away from all other citizens by the original act.
The extent of this privilege may be measured by the fact that the $100 notes outstanding on the 1st of April were estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury to amount to 128,000,000. In the hands of persons not embraced by the amendatory act, they have already lost one-third of their nominal value. They continue to lose 10 per cent per month, and finally on November 1 such as remain outstanding will cease to have any value. But in the hands of the persons described in the amendatory act they all stand good against the Government for their entire original value.
The persons to whom this privilege is granted are, by the terms of the amendatory act, disposed into two classes--
The evidence which the act requires to establish the facts upon which the claim rests is the simple affidavit of the claimant, and it is only in case of his inability to make affidavit that suppletory proof is required.
The persons described in this law comprehend the population remaining in several States of the Confederacy and large portions of other States. The only exception is of such as may be unwilling to make oath of loyalty. The law does not even restrict its benefits to loyal citizens, but expressly includes "other persons," and contains no indication of the meaning to be attached to the word "loyal" when applied to persons not citizens of the Confederate States.
It is known that very large amounts of Treasury notes have fallen into the hands of the enemy by the fortunes of war, and one of the results accomplished by your predecessors in affixing short delays for funding was to prevent these notes from becoming available to the plunderers who had robbed our citizens.
It is too plain for doubt that our enemies, who have not hesitated in the attempt to defraud the Treasury and the people by means of counterfeited notes, would have little scruple or difficulty in devising means to bring themselves within the terms of the bill under consideration. It is hut a moderate calculation to say that at the present moment taxes which have accrued to the Treasury, and on which the bill would take effect, amount to $50,000,000, and this sum would probably be doubled at the end of the period fixed for claiming the benefit of its provisions.
The bill contains no adequate safeguard for the protection of the Treasury. No means are provided for testing the truth of the affidavits on which millions of dollars are to be paid out of the public purse. No commissioner, no court, no officer is directed or even authorized to investigate a claim. The oath of any
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man who is willing to swear to the requirements of the law is to be conclusive. The outstanding bills for $100 on the east of the Mississippi must amount to many millions of dollars and can not now be funded for more than 47 per cent of their nominal value, and such as are not funded by the 1st of November next will be extinct. The bill leaves the Treasury at the mercy of dishonest men for this whole amount with less protection than experience has shown to be necessary to guard it against an overcharge in the purchase of ordinary supplies. It is not doubted that there are many exceptional cases in which the law of February last will operate harshly and even unjustly. The desire to relieve prisoners of war, as evinced by the passage of this bill, is not only natural but commendable, and I would cheerfully cooperate with Congress in any measure necessary to attain that object, if so guarded as to protect the Treasury from fraudulent claims. In this bill there is an absence of necessary safeguard, and I am therefore unable to give it my approval.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Richmond, Va., June 14, 1864
On motion of Mr. Marshall, the further consideration of the bill was postponed until the 3d day of the next session.
A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Nash, their Secretary; which is as follows, viz:
Mr. Speaker: The President of the Confederate States has notified the Senate that he did, on this day, approve and sign acts and joint resolutions of the following titles, viz:
Mr. Barksdale, under a suspension of the rules, offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the privilege be granted to Mr. Barksdale of withdrawing from the files of the House a bill and accompanying papers for the relief of Nathaniel Moore, and a petition and accompanying papers relative to the claim of J. and T. Green.
Mr. McCallum, under a suspension of the rules, introduced
A joint resolution "of thanks to Major-General Forrest and the officers and men of his command;"
which was read a first and second time, engrossed, read a third time, and passed.
Mr. Machen, from the Committee on the Commissary and Quartermaster's Departments, reported back.
A bill "to aid in the building of a railroad from Fayetteville, North Carolina, to Florence, South Carolina;"
which was postponed and placed upon the Calendar.
Also, a bill "to provide for the payment of horses killed, captured, lost, or permanently disabled in the Confederate States service."
The question being on postponing the bill and placing it on the Calendar,
It was decided in the affirmative.
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Mr. Machen, from the same committee, to whom had been referred
A bill (H. R. 140) "to enable the citizens of Virginia and others to supply the city of Richmond with food,"
reported back the same with the recommendation that it be postponed and placed upon the Calendar; which was agreed to.
Mr. Lamkin, from the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads, to whom had been referred
A bill (H. R. 85) "to amend an act of the Provisional Congress entitled 'An act relating to the prepayment of postage in certain cases,' approved July twenty-ninth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one," reported back the same with the recommendation that it be postponed and placed upon the Calendar; which was agreed to.
Mr. Lamkin, from the same committee, to whom had been referred a Senate joint resolution (S. 11) "relating to the exchange of the daily newspapers of the Confederate States with those of England and France," reported back the same with the recommendation that it be postponed and placed upon the Calendar; which was agreed to.
Mr. Heiskell, under a suspension of the rules, offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Select Committee to Inquire into the Abuses and Grievances in East Tennessee and Southwestern Virginia have leave to sit during the recess, and that they have power to send for persons and papers.
Mr. Chambers, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom had been referred
A bill (H. R. 112) "to amend an act entitled 'An act to organize forces to serve during the war,' approved February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four,"
reported the same back with the recommendation that the committee be discharged from its further consideration, and that it do lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Chambers, from the same committee, reported
A bill "to amend the act entitled 'An act to organize forces to serve during the war,' approved February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four;"
which was read a first and second time.
Mr. Barksdale moved that the rules be suspended, and demanded the yeas and nays thereon; which were not ordered.
The motion was lost, and the bill was postponed and placed on the Calendar.
Mr. Chambers, from the same committee, to whom had been referred
A bill (H. R. 49) "to amend an act entitled 'An act to increase the efficiency of the Army by the employment of free negroes and slaves in certain capacities,' approved February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, and to repeal an act for the enlistment of cooks in the Army, approved April twenty-first, eighteen hundred and sixty-two,"
reported back the same with the recommendation that it do not pass.
The bill was postponed and placed upon the Calendar.
Mr. Chambers, from the same committee, to whom had been referred
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A bill (H. R. 9) "to organize a corps of scouts and signal guards," reported back the same with the recommendation that it do not pass.
The bill was postponed and placed on the Calendar.
Mr. Triplett, from the Committee on Claims, to whom had been referred the claims of W. E. Persons, S. B. Canaday, and the memorials of Charles W. Wilkinson and sundry others, reported the same back with the recommendation that they do lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Miles, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom had been referred a Senate bill (S. 48) "to amend the act to provide an invalid corps, approved seventeenth February, eighteen hundred and sixty-four," reported back the same with the recommendation that it be postponed and placed upon the Calendar; which was agreed to.
Also, a Senate bill (S. 66) "to amend the act entitled 'An act to provide for the public defense,' approved sixth March, eighteen hundred and sixty-one," with the same recommendation; which was agreed to.
Also, a Senate bill (S. 69) "to retire or drop field and company officers from the Army in certain cases," with the same recommendation; which was agreed to.
On motion of Mr. Turner, leave was granted him to record his vote on the bill "to authorize the manufacture of spirituous liquors for the use of the Army and hospitals" in the negative.
Mr. Foote offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the chairman of the Committee on the Commissary and Quartermaster's Departments, with two other members of the committee to be selected by him, be empowered to scrutinize the frauds alleged to exist in said departments in Richmond and elsewhere after the present session of Congress shall have come to a close and during the period which will elapse between the close of said present session and the beginning of the next one; that said subcommittee have power to visit any part of the Confederacy which they may judge most convenient in their investigations on this subject; that they have full power to send for persons and papers and to keep in their employment a competent secretary, and that the information which may be thus obtained by them shall be reported to the whole of said committee at the next session of Congress, to be afterwards laid before the House in such manner as they shall deem most discreet. The members of said subcommittee and secretary shall be allowed transportation and the actual expenses incurred by them in traveling from place to place.
Mr. Keeble moved to amend the resolution by striking out all after the word "discreet."
The amendment was lost, and the resolution was adopted.
Mr. Clopton, from the Medical Committee, reported
A joint resolution "for the relief of prisoners of war;"
which was read a first and second time, postponed, and placed upon the Calendar.
Mr. Funsten, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom had been referred the memorial in behalf of Commander Maury and others, of the Navy, reported the same back with the recommendation that the committee be discharged from its further consideration, and that it do lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Clopton, from the same committee, to whom had been referred the memorial of the Virginia Volunteer Navy Company, praying for officers and men, reported back the same with the recommendation that the committee be discharged from its further consideration, and that it do lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
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Mr. Heiskell, from the Committee on Claims, to whom had been referred
A bill (H. R. 13) for the relief of James Wilson Dennett, assistant quartermaster of the Confederate States," reported back the same with the recommendation that it do lie upon the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. Dupré from the Joint Committee on Printing, submitted a written report; which was laid upon the table.
Mr. Russell, from the joint committee to wait upon the President, reported that the committee had performed that duty, and that the President had informed them that he had no further communication to make, except to notify the House that he had affixed his signature to certain bills.
A message was received from the President, by Mr. Harrison, his Private Secretary, as follows, viz:
Executive Office, Richmond, Va., June 14, 1864.
To the honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Mr. Speaker: The President has to-day approved and signed the following act:
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BURTON N. HARRISON,
Private Secretary.
A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Nash, the Secretary of that body; which is as follows, viz:
Mr. Speaker: The President of the Confederate States has notified the Senate that he has this day approved and signed acts of the following titles, viz:
The hour having arrived,
The Speaker announced that the House stood adjourned sine die.
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