<a href="/ammem/amlaw/lwcc.html">Journal of the Confederate Congress</a> --SECOND DAY--TUESDAY, May 3, 1864.

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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 --SECOND DAY--TUESDAY, May 3, 1864.

Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1865 [Volume 7] PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR

Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1865 [Volume 7]
SECOND DAY--TUESDAY, May 3, 1864.

OPEN SESSION.

The House met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Duncan.

Several other members appeared, were sworn to support the Constitution of the Confederate States, and took their seats in the House, viz:

From the State of--

Tennessee ... James McCallum.
Florida ... Samuel St. George Rogers.

Virginia

David Funsten.
Samuel A. Miller.

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Mr. Chilton submitted the following resolution:

Whereas reports are in circulation and have found their way into the public prints inpugning the loyalty of the Honorable Williamson R. W. Cobb. member-elect to this House from the Third Congressional district of the State of Alabama, and tending to show that he is in complicity with and giving aid and comfort to the enemies of the Confederate States, and is therefore unfit to be the representative of a loyal constituency: Therefore,

Resolved, That a committee of five members be appointed by the Speaker to inquire into such reports and to collect and report the testimony bearing upon the loyalty or disloyalty of said member, and to report the same to this House with such recommendation as to its further action in the premises as to said committee shall seem proper, and that Mr. Cobb be notified by the committee, if practicable, of the sitting of the committee, and that said committee have power to send for persons and papers.

The question being on the adoption of the resolution,

Mr. Chilton demanded the yeas and nays;

Which were ordered,

And recorded as follows, viz:

Yeas ... 69
Nays ... 6

Yeas: Akin, Anderson, Atkins, Baldwin, Barksdale, Bell, Blandford, Boyce, Bradley, Branch, Eli M. Bruce, Horatio W. Bruce, Burnett, Chambers, Chilton, Chrisman, Clopton, Colyar, Cruikshank, De Jarnette, Dickinson, Dupré, Echols, Farrow, Foote, Funsten, Gaither, Gholson, Gilmer, Goode, Hanly, Hartridge, Heiskell, Hilton, Johnston, Keeble, Lamkin, J. M. Leach, Lester, Logan, Machen, McCallum, McMullin, Menees, Miles, Miller, Montague, Moore, Murray, Perkins, Pugh, Ramsay, Read, Rives, Rogers, Russell, Sexton, Shewmake, Simpson, J. M. Smith, W. E. Smith, Smith of North Carolina, Staples, Swan, Triplett, Turner, Villeré, Welsh, and Whitfield.

Nays: Conrad, Fuller, A. H. Garland, J. T. Leach, Marshall, and Orr.

So the resolution was adopted.

Mr. Cruikshank introduced

A bill "providing for the repeal of the act suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. Pugh submitted the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the necessity of so amending the act "to levy additional taxes for the common defense and support of the Government," passed at the last session of Congress, as to provide--

1. That the tithe produced in eighteen hundred and sixty-four, and not the tithe of eighteen hundred and sixty-three, is to be credited on the five per cent tax levied on property employed in agriculture.
2. That the five per cent tax levied on property employed in agriculture is not to be collected until the value of the tithe to be deducted therefrom is assessed.
3. That the tax upon profits made by selling anything enumerated in the fourth section of said act, between the seventeenth of February last and the first day of July next, be increased fifty per cent on the amount of the profits and collected under said act.

Mr. Conrad moved to amend the resolution by striking out the words "Ways and Means" and inserting in lieu thereof the words

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"a special committee to be called 'A Special Committee on Currency and Taxation,' to be appointed by the Chair."

Mr. Foote moved to lay the amendment of Mr. Conrad on the table; which latter motion was agreed to, and the resolution of Mr. Pugh was adopted.

Mr. Pugh also submitted the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the existing law as to allow commissioned officers of the Army and Navy to draw one ration and purchase another from the Government.

Mr. Clopton submitted the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:

Resolved, That the papers relating to the claim of Wellington Goddin be withdrawn upon copies being filed and referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. Hanly presented the memorial of Maj. W. H. Govan, quartermaster, Hindman's division, Army of Tennessee, with Exhibits A, B, C, setting up a claim for $400; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. A. H. Garland introduced

A bill "to provide for the redemption of the old issue of Treasury notes held by certain Indian tribes;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Also, a bill "for the relief of A. L. Witherington, of Union County, in the State of Arkansas;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Claims.

Also, a communication from Maj. Gen. Cadmus M. Wilcox, recommending the amendment of the law allowing rations to officers; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.Mr. Hartridge introduced

A bill "to amend an act entitled 'An act to levy additional taxes for the common defense and support of the Government;'" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Hartridge submitted the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means be instructed to inquire whether, under the provisions of the act to regulate the exportation of cotton, tobacco, etc., the Secretary of the Treasury has the right to prevent the sailing from a Confederate port of any vessel owned or chartered by any of the States of the Confederacy, because said vessel has not complied with the regulations established by virtue of the provisions of said act, and whether said act does not expressly exempt from the operation of its provisions all vessels owned or chartered by the Confederate States or any of them.

Mr. Echols introduced

A bill "to increase the pay of the officers and soldiers of the Army of the Confederate States;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Also, a bill "to increase the salaries and compensation of certain civil officers of the Confederate States and the members and officers

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of the Congress of the Confederate States;" which wad read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Akin introduced

A bill (H. R. 7) "to amend an act entitled 'An act to lay additional taxes for the common defense and support of the Government,' approved February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four."

The bill was read a first and second time. referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Anderson introduced

A bill "to authorize the judges of the district court for the northern district of Georgia to change the place of holding said court;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. Moore submitted the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:

Resolved, That the claims of William Cardwell and John Randolph Cardwell be withdrawn and referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. Perkins submitted the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means to inquire and report as to the best means of having audited and paid the claims of persons in the Trans-Mississippi Department against the Confederate Government. without the delay and expense of having them transmitted to Richmond, Virginia.

Mr. Villeré presented a series of joint resolutions of the legislature of Louisiana in relation to the further prosecution of the war.

The resolutions, upon motion of Mr. McMullin, were ordered to be spread upon the Journal, and are as follows, viz:

Joint resolutions of the legislature of Louisiana in relation to the further prosecution of
the war.

Whereas the United States continues to wage war against the Confederate States with ruthless barbarity and an utter disregard of the rules of civilized warfare; and

Whereas the despot who wields with absolute power the destinies of that Government has manifested in all his messages and proclamations a malignant hatred of the people of the South, and a disposition to heap insult upon injury and outrage; and

Whereas this course of conduct has strengthened us in our determination to maintain our separation from the Government and people of the North: Therefore,

(1) Be it resolved by the senate and house of representatives of the State of Louisiana, in general assembly convened, That the barbarous manner in which our enemies have waged war against us deserves the execration of all men. and has confirmed and strengthened us in the determination to oppose to the last extremity a reunion with them, and that the spirit of our people is unabated in the resolution to resist every attempt at their subjugation.
(2) Be it further resolved, etc., That, relying upon the ability of our Chief Magistrate, the skill of our military leaders, the bravery of our soldiers, the heroic devotion of our women, the ardent patriotism of our men, and above all, upon the justice of our cause, invoking the blessing of Almighty God upon our efforts, we confidently abide the result.
(3) Be it further resolved, etc., That in this hour of trial the State of Louisiana tenders to her Government and sister States her warmest sympathy and cordial cooperation; and she hereby declares her unfaltering determination to spare no expense of blood or treasure in defense of the Confederate States of America as a free and independent republic.
(4) Be it further resolved, etc., That his excellency the governor be, and he

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is hereby, requested to transmit copies of these resolutions to our Senators and Representatives in Congress, and to the governors of our sister States.

J. B. ELAM,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.

A. H. Isaacson,
Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Wm. F. Wagner,
Secretary of the Senate.

Approved February 8, 1864.

HENRY W. ALLEN,
Governor of the State of Louisiana.

Mr. Perkins introduced

A bill (H. R. 9) "to organize a corps of scouts and signal guards to facilitate communication with the Trans-Mississippi Department."

The bill was read a first and second time, referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, and ordered to be printed.

Also, a bill "to amend 'An act to allow commissioned officers of the Army rations and the privilege of purchasing clothing from the Quartermaster's Department,' approved February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Dupré introduced

A bill "to provide for the settlement of claims for property illegally impressed in the Trans-Mississippi Department;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Also, a bill "to provide for the enrollment and conscription of certain noncommissioned officers and privates in the Trans-Mississippi Department;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Also, a bill "for the relief of James Wilson Bennett, assistant quartermaster of the Confederate States;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Claims.

Also, a joint resolution of the legislature of Louisiana relative to claims against the Confederate Government; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. Barksdale introduced

A bill "making appropriation to supply a deficiency in the appropriation for the Department of Justice for the fiscal year ending the thirtieth June, eighteen hundred and sixty-four;" which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Barksdale also submitted the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the fifth section of the act entitled "An act to levy additional taxes for the common defense and support of the Government," approved February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, as to define more clearly the meaning of the fourth article of said section and to provide more effectual means for the relief of the owners of such property as has been injured or destroyed by the enemy or of the use of which they have been temporarily deprived by his presence or proximity.

Mr. Welsh submitted the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means be instructed to prepare a bill, at as early a day as practicable, to prevent frauds on the Treasury now

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about to be perpetrated by persons who are buying Confederate Treasury notes east of the Mississippi River with a view of funding the same west or said river.

Mr. Welsh introduced

A bill "to amend the law levying a tax in kind;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee Ways and Means.

Mr. Chambers presented the memorial of Flag Officer Commodore Forrest, asserting a claim for coal for office use; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. Ramsay introduced

A joint resolution "of thanks to the Thirty-fourth and Thirty-eighth Regiments of North Carolina troops;"
which was read a first and second time.

The rule having been suspended requiring it to be referred to a committee, the joint, resolution was engrossed, read a third time, and passed unanimously.

Mr. J. M. Leach submitted the following resolution; which was adopted:

Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means be instructed to inquire and report, by bill or otherwise, into the expediency of so amending the currency act as to put the five-dollar Treasury notes heretofore issued on the same footing of the new issues.

Mr. Smith of North Carolina submitted the following preamble and resolution; which was adopted:

Whereas doubts are entertained as to the true intent and meaning of the act entitled "An act to levy additional taxes for the common defense and support of the Government," approved February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, in its application to the property of corporations, and whether said act, besides imposing a tax upon the shares of stockholders therein, does not again impose the tax upon the credits and property of the corporation itself, in which consists the value of such shares, and thereby levy a double tax:

Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means be directed to inquire whether any and what legislation is necessary in the premises, and to report by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Boyce introduced

A bill "to provide rations for the officers of the Army;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. Miles presented the memorial of employees and detailed men at Columbia, S.C., asking increase of compensation; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Also, the memorial of Capt. R. Press. Smith, assistant quartermaster, Twenty-seventh Regiment South Carolina Volunteers,. praying relief for money stolen; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Also, a communication from Gen. C. H. Stevens, offering suggestions on the subject of officers' rations; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Also, a communication from Mrs. Sarah Porteous Chisolm, touching the operation of the tax law on refugees; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Murray introduced

A joint resolution "of thanks to Major-General N. B. Forrest and the officers and men under his command;"

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which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. Colyar introduced

A bill (H. R. 18) "to levy additional taxes and to aid in carrying into effect the two laws passed on the seventeenth of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, one entitled 'An act to levy additional taxes for the common defense and support of the Government,' and the other entitled 'An act to reduce the currency and to authorize a new issue of notes and bonds.'"

The bill was read a first and second time, referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Atkins introduced

A bill "to amend the act entitled 'An act to reduce the currency and to authorize a new issue of notes and bonds,' approved February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and sixth-four;"
which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Heiskell submitted the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire and report upon the propriety of giving power to brigadier-generals to call courts-martial to try all privates and officers under the grade of field officers.

Mr. Foote submitted the following resolution; which was adopted, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee on Foreign Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of bringing in a bill providing as effectually as practicable against the future possession and enjoyment of the rights of citizenship by persons of foreign birth who shall have had no active participancy in our present struggle for independence at any time during the progress of the same.

Also, the following resolution; which lies over two days under the rule:

Resolved, That hereafter all the proceedings of this House shall be in open session unless it be otherwise ordered by a vote of seven-eighths of the body, or the subject under consideration be connected in some way with the movements of our armies in the field or the diplomatic concerns of the Confederate States.