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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 --SIXTH DAY--MONDAY, November 14, 1864.
OPEN SESSION.
The Chair laid before the House a communication from the President; which was read as follows, viz:
Richmond, Va., November 11, 1864.
To the House of Representatives:
In response to your resolution of the 14th June last, I herewith transmit communications from the Secretaries of the Treasury and of War, conveying the information desired relative to the tax in kind and other taxes collected from the several States for the year 1803.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
The communication and accompanying documents were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed.
The Chair also laid before the House another communication from the President; which was read as follows, viz:
Richmond, Va., November 11, 1864.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit for your information a communication from the Secretary of War, covering copies of the reports of Maj. Gen. N. B. Forrest, relative to the battle of Tishomingo Creek, and of Capt. B. L. Farinholt, relative to the engagement of the enemy with the reserve forces at Staunton River Bridge.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
On motion of Mr. Miles, the communication and accompanying documents were referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
The Chair announced the appointment of Mr. Kenner of Louisiana to the Committee on Ways and Means, Mr. Clark of Missouri to the Committee on Military Affairs and Elections, Mr. Vest of Missouri to the Committee on the Judiciary, Mr. Snead of Missouri to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Mr. Conrow of Missouri to the Committee on the Commissary and Quartermaster's Departments, Mr. Cluskey of Tennessee to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr. Garland of Arkansas to the Committee on Ways and Means. Mr. Hatcher of Missouri to the Committee on Ordnance and Ordnance Stores, Mr. Wilkes of Missouri to the Committee on Indian Affairs and to the Committee on Post Offices and Post-Roads.
Mr. Baldwin presented the memorial of Alexander F. Kinney, depositary of the Confederate States Treasury, at Staunton. Va., asking relief for papers, vouchers, and money destroyed by fire while in transit on the Danville Railroad; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Also, the petition of Susan Parsons and others for renewal of Confederate States Treasury bonds; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Also, the memorial of Maj. S. L. Lewis, asking remuneration for the loss of a valuable negro boy hired to the Government, and who
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died from removal and exposure whilst suffering from disease contracted in the service; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Staples presented the memorial of William C. Hagan, captain and assistant commissary of subsistence, asking relief from liability for funds captured by the enemy; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Dickinson introduced
A bill "to amend an act entitled 'An act providing for the establishment and payment of claims for a certain description of property taken or informally impressed for the use of the Army;'"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Clopton introduced
A bill "for the relief of Robert, H. Wynne;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. Chilton presented the memorial of officers of the Forty-third Regiment of Alabama Volunteers, asking relief from an order of the War Department, conscribing officers who resign their commissions;
which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Chilton introduced
A bill "to abolish distributing post-offices; and to require mail matter to be sent direct to its destination;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads.
Also, a bill "to increase the pay of route agents engaged in the postal service;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads.
Also, a bill "to admit the importation of hand cards for carding cotton or wool, duty free;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Mr. Garland introduced
A bill "to provide for the payment of claims against the Government for property illegally impressed and irregularly taken for its use in the Trans-Mississippi Department;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. W. E. Smith presented the memorial of sundry citizens of Mitchell County, Ga., asking a change of mail route 1649; which was referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads.
Mr. W. E. Smith also introduced
A bill "to change and establish mail route one thousand six hundred and forty-nine in the State of Georgia;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads.
Mr. Shewmake offered the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That the Military Committee inquire into the propriety and justice of increasing the pay of commissioned officers of the Army below the grade of brigadier-general, and report by bill or otherwise.
Mr. Bell introduced
A bill "to continue in force an act entitled 'An act providing for the establishment and payment of claims for a certain description of
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property taken or informally impressed for the use of the Army,' approved June fourteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Also, a bill "providing for the discharge of soldiers in certain cases and their future exemption from military service;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Bell also offered the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of adopting or enacting a tax bill, based upon the ad valorem principle, and one that will avoid the inequalities and complexity of the present legislation upon that subject, and by its simplicity, equality, and fairness, commend itself to the approval of the enlightened popular judgment of the country; and that said committee report to this House by bill or otherwise as early as practicable the result of such inquiry.
Mr. Anderson offered the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire and report what relief ought to be granted bonded agriculturists who have been placed by Confederate or State authority in the military service.
That said committee also inquire into the propriety of allowing transportation to officers of the Army when traveling on furlough.
Mr. Echols offered the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:
Whereas it is the highest duty of all Christian nations to recognize the authority of God and acknowledge their obligations to His Divine Providence; and
Whereas it is peculiarly appropriate that the people of this Confederacy, who have had during this unequal contest such signal manifestations of His beneficent approval, should confess the same; and
Whereas we have seen with pleasure the efforts of some of our wise and distinguished military leaders to keep sacred the Sabbath day, and desiring that its observance should be universal among both the Army and Navy: Therefore, we, the Representatives of the people, do resolve,
Mr. Read offered the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That the Committee on Medical Affairs be instructed to inquire into the management and condition of the military prisoners of this Government, and that they report what additional legislation is necessary for the better regulation of the same, and that they be empowered to send for persons and papers.
Mr. Perkins introduced
A bill "to facilitate the settlement of claims of deceased officers and soldiers;"
which was read a first and second time.
The rule having been suspended requiring the bill to be referred to a committee,
On motion of Mr. Perkins, it was postponed until Monday next and made the special order after the morning hour and from day to day until disposed of.
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On motion of Mr. Simpson, the bill was ordered to be printed.
Mr. Welsh offered the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the propriety of making the certificates given by purchasing officers of the Government and the ascertained indebtedness of other public agents to citizens of the Confederacy receivable in payment of taxes, and that they report by bill or otherwise.
Mr. Conrow offered the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That the papers appertaining to the claim of Albert Danner be taken from the files of the last session of the First Congress and be referred to the Committee on Claims for the present Congress.
Mr. Farrow offered the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That the joint resolution "of thanks to and for the relief of Major Gaspar Tochman, formerly of the Polish army," which was reported from the Committee on Claims at the last session of Congress and ordered to be placed on the Calendar. be made the special order for Thursday next after the expiration of the morning hour, and that it be continued as the special order from day to day until disposed of.
Mr. Simpson offered the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means to inquire and report whether or not the construction which has been given by the Treasury Department to the first paragraph of the first section of an act to amend the tax laws, approved fourteenth June, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, by which the credit of the tax in kind has been restricted to the ad valorem tax derived from certain property actually employed in agriculture, is in accordance with the true intent and meaning of said act; and if not, whether any additional legislation is necessary for a proper construction thereof; and that they report by bill or otherwise.
Mr. Miles offered the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That in view of the effect upon discipline produced by officers being properly uniformed, decently clad, and readily distinguished by the insignia of their rank, the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of supplying all commissioned officers of the Army, at the expense of the Government, with uniforms, arms, and accouterments appropriate to their rank.
Mr. Miles introduced
A bill "to provide for the appraisement of and compensation for horses lost in the Army by the casualties of war;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Miles offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on Printing be instructed to inquire into the expediency of allowing by law one hundred and fifty copies of the acts of each session of Congress for the use of the War Department.
Mr. Foote introduced
A joint resolution "of thanks to General N. B. Forrest and the officers and men of his command;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
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Mr. Foote offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That it is by no means expedient that a general maximum of prices should be laid on agricultural products, but that it is desirable that the families of soldiers now in the military service of the Confederate States and the surviving families of all who have died or may hereafter die in said service should be supplied by the Government with a reasonable amount of the necessaries of life at the prices which said Government may have paid for the same.
On motion of Mr. Foote, the resolution was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Foote offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That it is eminently desirable that at as early a period as practicable the Committee on Ways and Means in this House should agree upon and report for consideration a financial bill, and that in consideration of the admirably digested financial views embodied in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury just laid before this House, the importance of harmony of action between the said Secretary and Congress in regard to the fiscal concerns of the Government and the desirableness of fixing the responsibility as to the successful management of the affairs of the Treasury upon the incumbent of that Department, any financial bill reported to the House should be so drawn as in all its essential features to correspond with the recommendation of said Secretary of the Treasury.
On motion of Mr. Foote, the resolution was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Cluskey introduced
A bill "to amend an act entitled 'An act to provide tobacco for the Army,' approved February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on the Commissary and Quartermaster's Departments.
Mr. Cluskey offered the following resolution; which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on the Medical Department be instructed to report as early as practicable a bill for the better organization of hospitals, so as to secure a proper preparation of the food for the patients therein.
On motion of Mr. Russell, the House resolved itself into secret session; and having spent some time therein, resolved itself into open session.
On motion of Mr. Hanly,
The House adjourned.
SECRET SESSION.
The House being in secret session,
The Chair laid before the House a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, touching the Produce Loan Bureau and the Treasury Note Bureau.
On motion of Mr. Lyon, the reading of the report was suspended. and the report and the accompanying documents were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The House resumed the consideration of the bill "to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in certain cases for a limited period."
Pending which,
The House, on motion of Mr. Hanly,
Resolved itself into open session.
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