The Daily Dispatch: February 18, 1862., [Electronic resource], Adjournment of the Provisional Congress.

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Adjournment of the Provisional Congress.

Congress met yesterday morning at 10 o'clock, and after remaining for some two hours in secret session, the doors were opened, a large number of persons availed themselves of the opportunity to witness the proceedings incident to the final adjournment.

Mr. Bocock, of Virginia, (Vice President Stephens in the Chair,) offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That the thanks of this House are eminently due, and are hereby tendered to the Hon. Howell Cobe, President of the Provisional Congress, for the dignity, impartiality and ability, which have so highly distinguished his official conduct, as the presiding officer of this body.

Mr. Bocock then moved that Congress adjourn sine die.

The President (Mr. Cobb) said:

‘ Gentlemen of the Provisional Congress: Before announcing the result of the vote upon the motion to adjourn sine die, allow me in all the sincerity of my heart to return my thanks for the resolution just adopted, as well as for the repeated evidences of kindness and confidence extended to me from the first hour of your legislative existence to the present time. I can truthfully say that no presiding officer ever received more generous confidence than the one who now addresses you. Therefore it is with no mere formality, but with all sincerity, that I now express to you my thanks.

Twelve months ago, we met as the representatives of six sovereign States, for the purpose of inaugurating a new Government. Since that time, State by State has been received into our Confederacy, until now we have reached the significant number of the original thirteen. I may, in this connection, not inappropriately allude, though very briefly, to the action of this body having reference to this great revolution. Your acts as a Convention to adopt a Constitution have been submitted to your constituents, and have received their unanimous approval. Your acts, also, in your legislative capacity, have received a like approval, and I think, when the journals of this body shall be submitted to the country, nothing will be found to mar the harmony with which the result of that action is viewed.

I may be permitted to refer to one thought which, above all others, has characterized your action, and reflects credit upon the intelligence of the people. Ours is the first revolution which history records, wherein the tendency has been to conservatism and stability. Popular passion and prejudice arouse and excite revolution, and lead to anarchy and the interruption of public confidence.--But the tendency of ours has been to establish conservative principles and a stable government, for the protection of persons and property, on a firm and sure foundation. On the 22d day of February, the Constitutions with these conservative principles embodied, will be inaugurated for the benefit of our common country. It is an appropriate day for such a ceremony — the birthday of the father of his country — a day which will be received with coldness and formality by those who have trampled on every principle of human liberty which he consecrated with his blood, contrasted with its observance here, where we have established a new government in the place of one so debased as to leave it almost a mockery to the memory of the man.

There is another feature which may be safely entrusted to the hands of those who are about to assume the control of affairs. Though we have acted with closed doors, we may now be permitted to announce to the country that one great reason of our success has been the cordiality and harmony which has marked our intercourse with each other, and with the various departments of Government. No party spirit has ever found utterance within these walls; and I now express the hope that forever and forever this announcement may be made at each successive legislative adjournment.

When first called to preside over your deliberations, I took the liberty to assert that our separation from the old Government was complete and eternal. If there was at that time a shade of doubt on any mind, the history of the last few months will have dissipated it, for the sentiment now comes up from every quarter that the separation was not too soon, nor can it be too perpetual. [Applause.]

Gentlemen, I again return you my sincere thanks, you know what others around us may not know, how much I have been indebted to your kindness in the endeavor to discharge with faithfulness the duties of my position. Nor must we forget that Providence which to this hour has manifested by approving smiles, the justice of the great cause in which we are engaged. I express to you in this hour of seeming reverse, that from the commencement of our revolution to this time, I have not had one despondent thought. [Applause.] God grant that these clouds which now surround us may soon pass away; that we may have an enduring government, based upon those principles taught by the earlier fathers, and which but for us, would now be trampled in the dust.

Gentlemen — It only remains for me now to declare this House adjourned sine die.

’

Permanent Congress.

The Permanent Congress of the Confederate States will be organized at the Capitol to-day, at twelve o'clock. The following is a revised list of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives:

Senate.

Those having the prefixed have served in the United States Congress. The number of old Congressmen in the Senate will be fourteen; new Congressmen, twelve; total twenty-six.

House of Representatives.

Dist. Alabama.

Arkansas.

Florida.

1. Jas. B. Dawkins.
2. Robt. B. Hilton.

Georgia.

Kentucky.

Louisiana.

Mississippi.

Dist. Missouri.

North Carolina.

South Carolina.

Tennessee.

Texas.

Virginia.

Those marked with the have been members of the United States Congress. The number of old Congressmen will be thirty-three. New Congressmen, seventy-three. Total, one hundred and six.

The Daily Dispatch: February 18, 1862. Richmond Dispatch. 4 pages. by Cowardin & Hammersley. Richmond. February 18, 1862. microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mi : Proquest. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm.

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The Daily Dispatch: February 18, 1862., [Electronic resource]