House of Representatives.
Monday, August 18, 1862.At 12 o'clock the House convened, and was called to order by Mr. Speaker Bocock.
Prayer was offered by the Rev. Bishop Early.
Mr. Hodge, of Ky., and Mr. Collier, of Va., appeared, took the required oath, and took their seats.
[Mr. Barksdale, of Miss, absent on account of sickness.]
The Speaker laid before the House a communication from the Governor of Virginia, and a letter from Hon. A. G. Jenkins, of Va., conveying the resignation of that gentleman.
Mr. Russell moved that these papers be referred to the Committee on Elections — and they were so referred.
The House then proceeded to business under the rule requiring the call of the States alphabetically for bills and resolutions.
Mr. Gartrell, of Ga., offered a bill making Treasury notes a legal tender in payment of debts, and moved that it be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, with instructions to report at an early day.
The bill was so referred.
Also, a resolution that the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency and necessity of requiring the Commissary Department of the Army to furnish more and better food for the soldiers. Referred to Military Committee.
Mr. Miles, of S. C., introduced a bill to provide further for the pubic defence — extending the provisions of the Conscript act to all persons between the ages of 35 and 45 years. Read and referred to Committee on Military Affairs.
Also, a bill to provide for the punishment of slaves taken in arms against the Confederate States, and all white men assuming to be commandants of the same. Referred.
Mr. Foote, of Tenn., introduced a bill to provide for retaliatory punishment in certain cases. Bill read at length and referred to the Military Committee.
Also, and act for the punishment of felonies committed by officers or privates of the army of the U. States, when such persons shall fall into our hands as captives taken in war. Referred to the Military Committee.
Also, an act to provide retaliatory punishment in cases of persons of African descent being found in the ranks of the enemy, organized for war.
Also, an act providing retaliatory punishment for the seizure and imprisonment of citizens of the Confederate States by officers, either civil or military, of the United States. Referred to the Military Committee.
Also, a resolution to dispense with secret sessions except upon a vote of one-third of the members present.
Mr. Foote proceeded to discuss this resolution, but a message from the President being announced, the resolution was laid over for consideration tomorrow.
The message of the President, Reports of the several Departments, and a correspondence between Gen. R. E. Lee and the Federal General Halleck, were laid before the House, when Mr. Jones, of Tennessee, moved that the message and accompanying documents be referred to the Committee of the Whole, and the usual number be ordered to be printed.
Mr.Foote then introduced a preamble and joint resolution providing for an immediate call of 250,000 men to the army of the Confederate States. Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Lyons, of Virginia, presented the memorial of contain conscripts now in service. Referred.
Mr. Russell, of Virginia, offered a resolution instructing the Committee on Military Affairs to inquire into and report whether the cartel recently agreed upon for an exchange of prisoners has been violated by the enemy by administering an oath of allegiance to the United States; and if so, what measures ought to be adopted by this Government in consequence thereof.
Also, a bill to be entitled an act to suppress the atrocities of the enemy.
On motion, the House then adjourned.
