ons of the same character from the soldiers and officers of the Rockbridge Battery, Salem Flying Artillery, Powhatan Artillery and the Third company Richmond Howitzers, all of which were referred to the Committee on Confederate Relations.
The bill providing for an increase of compensation of the Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, which was pending at the time of going into secret session on Saturday, was taken up.
The bill was advocated on its passage by Messrs. Hunter and Armstrong, and opposed by Mr. Brannon.
Mr. Stevenson called the previous question, which, being agreed to, the vote was then taken on the passage of the bill, and resulted in the negative by the following vote: Yeas, 18; nays, 21.
Mr. Christian, of Middlesex, offered a resolution, instructing the Committee on Public Institutions to inquire and report to the Senate how many pairs of shoes and how much clothing could be furnished by the penitentiary in twelve months for the soldiers of Virgi
f the Convention of Virginia respecting the revenue of the literary fund.
House bill amending an act authorizing banks and branch banks, in certain cases, to receive payment of debts payable at branch or mother banks within the enemy's lines.
House bill to amend and re-enact the first section of an act passed March 1st, 1864, entitled an act to authorize county courts to change the places of holding their sessions and to enlarge their powers in certain cases.
On motion of Mr. Armstrong, the resolution adopted yesterday providing for the adjournment of the Senate at 12 o'clock, in order to allow members to attend the mass meeting at the African Church, was rescinded.
Mr. Newman, of Mason, offered the following resolution, which was referred to the Committee on General Laws:
"Resolved, That in future it shall be the duty of the Clerk of the Senate, in reckoning the pay of members, to allow for such time only as Senators are in attendance on their duties, unless
re two rebel iron-clads will have left the coast of France for the port of New York, where they expect to carry the first news of the expedition.
These vessels, which are admirable sea boats, as one of them has proved during the recent heavy gale in the North Sea, are of the most formidable description, calculated to resist any artillery in our navy, except, perhaps, the monitor guns.
They will take abundant coal for the Atlantic voyage without stopping at the islands, and are armed with Armstrong of the heaviest calibre, as well as an enormous supply of rockets.
No doubt is entertained of their perfect ability to carry, with ease, the fortifications of New York harbor, and hold the harbor against any force that could possibly be sent to the rescue.
The city is then to be laid under contribution, or, in the event of refusal, to be fired.
The leaders of the expedition, however, expect an outbreak in the city itself, and that the rebel sympathizers will seize the moment of panic an
nd Marietta roads, to put them in such condition that they might be held by the State troops, so that the army might attack the enemy in flank when he approached the town — this in the event that we should be unsuccessful in attacking the Federal army in its passage of Peachtree creek.
After the armies were separated by the Chattahoochee, skirmishing became less severe.
On the 14th, a division of Federal cavalry crossed the river by Moore's bridge, near Newman, but was driven back by Armstrong's brigade, sent by Brigadier-General Jackson to meet it.
On the 15th, Governor Brown informed me, orally, that he hoped to reinforce the army before the end of the month with near ten thousand State troops.
On the 17th, the main body of the Federal army crossed the Chattahoochee between Roswell and Powers' ferry.
At 10 o'clock P. M., while I was giving Lieutenant-Colonel Prestman, chief engineer, instructions in regard to his work of the next day on the fortifications of Atlanta
aw to exchange five millions of Confederate securities for currency, was taken up on motion of Mr. Lynch.
Mr. Hunter opposed the resolution on the ground that it was unwise as a financial measure, was an unnecessary sacrifice, and very inferior to a plan which he proposed the State should adopt, of guaranteeing one-half, or so much of said Confederate securities as may be needed by the State, and holding the balance of said securities for future use.
The bill was discussed by Messrs. Armstrong and Brannon until the hour of 3 o'clock arrived, when, on motion of Mr. Quesenberry, the Senate adjourned.
House of Delegates.
The House met at 11 A. M.
Mr. Bouldin, from the Finance Committee, reported a bill to amend chapter eighty-seven of the Code, so as to increase the fees of inspectors of tobacco.
The bill was read one time.
A resolution authorizing an election in the county of Greenbrier, for district attorney and county officers, on the fourth Thursday of M
according to its slave population.
But nothing in the foregoing resolutions shall be construed into a restriction upon the General-in-Chief of the Confederate Armies, or a prohibition to the employment of the slaves and free negroes for the public defence in such manner — as soldiers or otherwise — as the General-in- Chief may deem most expedient."
The following was the vote by which the foregoing resolutions were passed at the time in secret session:
Yeas.--Messrs. Alderson, Armstrong, Ball, Christian of Augusta, Coghill, Douglas, Frazier, Garnett, Garrison, Hunter, Keen, Lewis, Nash, Neeson, Newlon, Newman of Mason, Newman of Madison, Stevenson, Spitler, Tayloe, Taylor and Thomas--22.
Nays.--Messrs. Bales, Bruce, Christian of Middlesex, Collier, Dickinson, Dulaney, Graham, Guy, Hart, Jones, Logan, Lynch, Quesenberry, Saunders, Wiley and Witten--16.
Admiral Buchanan appearing in the hall, on motion, the chair was vacated for ten minutes, in order to give the
ses; and that the House had agreed to the joint resolutions of the Senate requesting the Governor to convene the General Assembly in extra session.
Joint resolution in relation to the hire of the negroes of J. N. Clarkson for the year 1864, by the Board of Supervisors of the Salt Works, being the unfinished business of last evening, was taken up.
Mr. Hart thought the question an important one, and, as the Senate was very thin, he moved that the bill be laid upon the table.
Mr. Armstrong opposed the motion to lay on the table.
The silence of the Senate on the subject might be viewed as acquiescing in the action of the Board of Public Works, and they might go on and make a similar contract for the present year.
Mr. Neeson stated that Mr. Clarkson had said that the Board of Public Works could not make again any contracts with him for the hire of his negroes.
Mr. Guy thought the Senate should take action in this matter without delay.
The people want salt, and th
Virginia Legislature. [Extra Session.]
Senate. Friday, March 17, 1865.
At 12 o'clock the Senate was called to order by Mr. Johnson, of Bedford.
Mr. Armstrong offered the following resolution, which, for want of a quorum, could not be acted upon:
"Resolved, That the banks of this Commonwealth are hereby prohibited from diminishing the specie in their possession, except by loan to the State or Confederate Governments, until otherwise ordered; and the Governor is required to render to said banks all the aid he can to secure the safety of their funds."
In conformity with a resolution, previously adopted, providing for a recess till the 29th instant,
Mr. Tayloe, of King George, moved that the Senate inform the House of Delegates of its readiness to adjourn.
The motion was agreed to, and Mr. Tayloe was authorized by the President pro tem. to communicate the information to the House.
Upon the return of Mr. Tayloe,
On motion of Mr. Dulany, the S
