From Montgomery.
Extra session of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States.
[reported for the Richmond Dispatch.] It was a gratifying scene to notice the cordial greetings, the shaking of hands, the pleasant smiles, and other demonstrations of welcome, which were interchanged among the members, as they met this morning in the Congress hall. An unusual number of strangers and citizens were present, and in the hall and gallery there were many ladies.
At 12 o'clock, the President of Congress, the Hon. Howell Cobb, took his chair, and the Rev. Basil Manley offered a fervent invocation to the Throne of Grace.
The President then called Congress to order, and stated that they had been assembled at this time by a proclamation from the President.
The first business in order was the call of the roll, and few names were called which were not responded to.
The President stated that a quorum was present, and that Congress was now ready to transact business.
Messrs. Davis, Jones, Wigfall, and Orr came forward, took the oath, and subscribed to the Constitution.
Mr. T. R. R. Cobb, of Georgia, said that as a quorum was present, and the Congress had been convened by the proclamation of the President, he moved that a committee of three be appointed to wait on the President and inform him that Congress was now ready to receive any communication from him.
The President appointed Messrs. T. R. R. Cobb, Jas. Chesnut, Jr., and John Perkins, Jr., that committee. The committee retired, and in a few minutes returned and stated that the President would in a few minutes communicate in writing to Congress.
Mr. T. R. R. Cobb offered the following resolution, which was adopted:
Resolved, by the Confederate States of America, That the Secretary of Congress be authorized to appoint an assistant in the place of A. B. Clitherall, Esq., resigned.
The President presented to Congress the annexed communication from a portion of the people of New Mexico:
Messilla March 18, 1861.
To the Hon. Howell Cobb,President of the Congress of the Confederate States of America:
Sir
In pursuance of a resolution adopted at a Convention of the citizens of that portion of New Mexico known as Arizona, held at this place on the 16th inst., I have the honor herewith to transmit the enclosed preamble and resolutions, unanimously adopted, with the hope and request that you will lay them before the Congress of the Confederate States of America for their consideration.
To the Hon. Howell Cobb,President of the Congress of the Confederate States of America:
Sir
On motion of Mr. Chesnut, the reading of the preamble and resolutions referred to was postponed for the present, and the communication was referred to the Committee on Territories.
Mr. Ochiltree, of Texas, requested to present to Congress a communication from the Governor of the Territory of Arizona, transmitting a copy of the Provisional Constitution, with the request that it be presented to Congress. The communication was received, and referred to the Territorial Committee.
Mr. Josselyn, the President's Private Secretary, then appeared in the Hall, and stated that he had a message from the President, with accompanying documents.
Mr. Withers asked the question, whether there was anything in the Message that should prevent its being read in public session?
Mr. Toombs replied that there was not.
The Message was then read, in a very distinct tone, by Mr. Dickson.
After the Message was read, the President of Congress asked what action should be taken with the accompanying documents?
Mr. Toombs desired that they should not be read in public, and moved that Congress go into secret session.
The motion prevailed, and Congress remained in secret session about an hour, when they adjourned until to-morrow.
