Third day.
The Journals of yesterday were read and confirmed.
The President presented a communication from the President of the Baptist State Convention of Georgia.
The Secretary read as follows:
Athens, Ga., April 29, 1861.
Sir
I have the honor of transmitting to you the accompanying resolutions unanimously passed on Saturday last by the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia, with the request that you will present them to the Congress over which you preside.
Sir
That God will direct and bless the counsels of the Congress of the Confederate Government, is the prayer of the Baptist Convention of Georgia, and of none more sincerely than your obedient servant,
Howell Cobb, President of Congress:
at a meeting of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously passed:
‘ whereas, the State of Georgia, in the legitimate exercise of her sovereignty, has withdrawn from the Confederacy known as the United States of America, and for the better maintenance of her rights, honor and independence, has United with other States in a new Confederacy, under the title of the Confederate States of America; and whereas Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States, is attempting, by force of arms, to subjugate these States in violation of the fundamental principles of American liberty,
- 1. Therefore, Resolved, By the members of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia, that we consider it a pleasure and a duty to avow that both in feeling and principle we approve, endorse, and support the Government of the Confederate States of America.
- 2. Resolved, That while this Convention disclaims aid authority, whether ecclesiastical or civil, yet as citizens we deem it but a duty to urge the union of all the people of the South in defence of the common cause, and to express the confident belief that in whatever conflict the madness of Mr. Lincoln and his Government may forces upon us, the Baptists of Georgia will not be behind any class of our fellow-citizens in maintaining the independence of the South by any sacrifice of treasure or of blood.
- 3. Resolved, That we acknowledge with devout thankfulness to Almighty God, the signal favor with which, up to this time, He has blessed our arms and our policy, and that the Baptist Churches of this State be requested to observe the first and second days of June next as days of lasting and prayer, that God will deliver us from all the power of our enemies and restore peace to our country.
- 4.Resolved, That the Confederate Government be requested to invite the Churches of all denominations within the Confederacy to unite in observing said days of fasting and prayer.
- 5.Resolved, That copies of these resolutions be sent to President Davis, the Confederate Congress, and the Governor of Georgia.
’ Mr. Shorter, of Alabama, introduced the following:
‘ Resolved. That 100 copies of the acts and resolutions of the Congress, passed up to, and inclusive of the 15th of March, and from which the injunction of secrecy has been removed, be printed for the use of the Congress during the present session.
Mr. Kenner, of Louisiana, moved to amend the resolution by including the printing of the Provisional and Permanent Constitutions in the same pamphlet.
Mr. Shorter said he accepted the amendment proposed.
The resolution, as amended, was then passed
’ Mr. Clayton, of Mississippi, offered the following:
‘ Resolved, That so much of the report of the Attorney General as relates to the administration of Justice be referred to the Judiciary Committee, and that so much as relates to the matter of printing, be referred to the Committee on Printing.
Mr. Ochiltree, of Texas, introduced a bill to be en titled, ‘"An Act to establish a port of entry at Sabine Pass, in the State of Texas, and to provide for the appointment of a collector of the same."’ The bill was only read by its title, and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
’ Mr. Hemphill, of Texas, said that since the adjournment of Congress in March last, he had received a communication from the President of the Convention of the people of the State of Texas enclosing resolutions expressive of their gratification at the election of Hons. Jefferson Davis and A. H. Stephens, to the offices of President and Vice-President of the Confederate States. He presented the communication and moved that it be entered upon the Journals of Congress. It was as follows:
City of Austin, Texas, Friday, March 15, 1861.
Messrs, John Gregg, W. R. Ochiltree, T. N. Waul, and W. S. Oldhom, M. C.: Gentlemen:
By instruction of the people of Texas, I transmit you the enclosed resolutions, adopted this day in Convention.
Messrs, John Gregg, W. R. Ochiltree, T. N. Waul, and W. S. Oldhom, M. C.: Gentlemen:
To day the additional returns of the votes upon the Ordinance of Secession were transmitted, with the following result, (in round numbers:) Total vote received, 54,000; majority for secession 31,500 votes.
R. T Browerigg, Secretary of the Convention.
Resolved, That this Convention has heard with profound satisfaction of the election of Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, to the offices of President and Vice-President of the Provisional Government of the Confederate States of America, and that in their well known ability, experience and patriotism, the country possesses ample guarantees that the high and important functions confided to them will be so administered in these times of peril as will redound to the safety, security, and best interests of the people.
Resolved, further. That a copy of the foregoing resolution be communicated to our members of Congress at Montgomery.
Adopted in Convention, at the city of Austin, on the 15th day of March, 1861.
R. T. Brownrigg,
Sec'y of the Convention.
The communication was ordered to be spread on the Minutes of Congress.
Mr. Bartow offered the following:
‘ Resolved, That the Military Committee have permission to print such portion of the report of the Secretary of War, and as many copies, as they may deem necessary.
Adopted.
On motion of Mr. Rhett, Congress then went in to secret session.
P. S.--4½ o'clock, P. M.--The train from Pensacola has just arrived, and brings several passengers who left Warrington and Pensacola yesterday afternoon. They tell me that Gen. Bragg is progressing rapidly in his fortifications, and is nearly ready to ‘"entertain"’ the forces at Pickens and those in the fleet ‘"in a hostile manner."’ The troops of the Confederate Army are in good spirits, and are sanguine of success. But little sickness prevails, and the troops generally are in good health, sun-burnt and ready for the conflict.
There has been some delay at this point (Montgomery) in the transmission of parcels or packages for the troops, but all have now gone forward, and in a day or so more the railway will be completed to Pensacola, and then there will be no further detention.
Vice-President Stephens, I learn, reached this city to-day, at noon.
I am informed that the Secretary of War, at the urgent solicitation of the citizen soldiery of Florida, through, their deputies in the Congress, has decided to call into service, for the frontier, one regiment of Infantry from that gallant little State. This will be gratifying intelligence to the noble spirits resident in the ‘"land of flowers,"’ who are so eager to occupy a ‘"prominent place in the picture."’
Col. G T. Waul, well known as the able, eloquent, and fearless leader of the old Whig party of Florida, arrived here to-day, and will take his seat as a member in Congress tomorrow. He is the successor of Col. J. Patten Anderson, who now commands a regiment of Cavalry at Pensacola.
It should be borne in mind that the Railroad Convention, which met in this city on Friday last, and represented by Presidents of those corporations, have an extent of railroad track of over 4,375 miles, and represented a funded capital amounting to $107,670,000. The policy pursued by this Convention had elicited the warmest commendation.
There are comparatively but few of the military to be seen in the streets and hotels at this time; they are nearly all gone to Virginia and Pensacola. Now, not more than the fourth or fifth man you meet is an officer or soldier. But, while so many have gone, the spirit is yet alive, and new companies are daily being formed.
To-day, the time for receiving bids for materials to be supplied to the Post Office Department closed. I am informed that quite a number of bids for each service were filed.
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