Confederate States Congress.
Tuesday, January 13, 1863.Senate--The Senate met at 12 o'clock of., Hon., E. M. T. Hunter in the Chair.
Prayer by Rev. Dr. Burrows, of the Baptist Church.
On the roll being called, the following members answered to their names;
Messrs Baker, Bernwall, urnalt, Clark Clay, Dortch, Henry, Hill, Hunter, Maxwell, Tempe Wigall, and Yancey.
not being present, Mr. Barnwell, said he understood another member was in the city, and suggested he be sent for, which was accordingly done. The messenger returned after an hour's search, and reported the honorable member was not to be found; where upon.
On motion of Mr. Clark, of Missouri, the Senate adjourned to meet to morrow at 12 o'clock M.
House of Representatives--The House met at 12 o'clock, and was opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Birrows. The roll was then called by the Clerk, to ascertain whether a quorum was present, when fifty four members answered to their names, constituting a quorum.
Mr. of Va, offered a resolution that the Hon, J. L. M. Curry be and he is hereby appointed Speaker. pro tempore of the House during the necessary absence of the regular Speaker. The resolution was unanimously agreed to, and the Clerk appointed Messrs. Boteler, Clarke, and Swann to wait upon Mr. Curry and inform him of his election.
On taking the Chair the temporary Speaker returned his thanks for the confidence implied in the action of the House, and invoaed the indulgence of members and their assistance in the discharge of the new duties imposed upon him.
Mr. Holt, of Ga., offered a resolution that a committee of three be appointed, to join such committee as may be appointed by the Senate to wait on the President and inform him that the Congress of the Confederate States is in session, to adjournment, and ready to receive any communication he may be pressed to submit. Agreed to.
[Messrs. Colt. of Ga. Session of Texas, and Goode of Va., were appointed to constitute the committee.]
Mr. Garnett, of Va, offered a resolution in reference to the of seats according to the mode prescribed at the last session. Laid on the table.
Mr. Lyers, of Va., a resolution that the Committee on Public Buildings do ascertain and report to the House whether the Exchange Building can be obtained for the use of Congress, and upon what terms, and whether it will afford suitable accommodation for the two Houses, and their officers and committees. Agreed to.
The Speaker announced that he had received information that the Senate was without a quorum for the transaction of business and that body had adjourned over until 12 o'clock to-morrow.
Some discussion then up on a motion to adjourn, in which it was maintained by Messrs. Foster and David that it was perfectly competent, and altogether courteous to the co ordinate branches of the Government that the House continue in session and proceed with the business before it. The motion to adjourn, was negatived by a vote of 23 to 27.
Mr. Curry introduced a bill, to be entitled of an act to repeat so much of the act to ex certain persons from military duty, approved 11th of October, 1862 as reflates from military service certain owners, agents, or on plantations.--Read the first and second times, and referred to the Military Committee. Also, a bill to increase the monthly pay of non commissioned officers and privates of the Army of the Confederate States.--Referred to same committee.
Mr. Cartrell, of Ga., introduced a bill, to be entailed an act to continues in force as act authorizing the suspension of the writ of habeas corpassion in certain cases, passed October 13th, 1862, Referred.
Mr. Holt, of Ga., presented a bill to exempt certain persons from military service in the Army of the Confederate States. Referred to the Military Committee.
Mr. Crockett, of Ky., offered. a resolution that the President be respectfully requested to furnish this House at an early day all official reports and correspondence touching the military operations of Gen. Bragg and the army under his command in his recent ermpaiga in Kentucky, if., in the opinion of the President, a compliance with this resolution will not be incompatible with the public interests. Laid on the table.
Mr. Kenner, of La, presented a bill to raise a war tax. Also, a bill for the assessment and collection of direct taxes and internal duties. Referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.
Mr. Perkins submitted joint expressive of the sense of Congress in relation to the conduct of citizens of Louisiana within the lines and in the presence of the enemy. Ordered to be and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. submitted the following bill:
an Act to reveal certain person of an Act entitled "An Act to escape persons from military duties"
The Congress of the Confederate States of do enact That the parts of the of an act entitled "An act to exempt to persons from military duty," &c., approved October 1862, which exempts one person, either as agent owner, or overseer, on each plantation on which one person is required to be kept by the laws of ordinances of any State, and on which there is white male adult not liable to do military service, and in States having no such law, one person as agent, owner, or overseer on each plantation of twenty negroes, and on which there is no white male adult not liable to military service; and for additional police for every twenty negroes on two or more plantations, within five miles of each other, and each having less than twenty negroes, on which there is no while male adult not liable to military duty, one person, being the oldest of the owners or overseers on such plantations, be, and the same are hereby, repealed.
Mr. Parkadale urged the great importance to the common cause of immediate action upon his motion. He moved its reference to the Military Committee, and expressed the hope that the subject would immediately engage its attention.
Referred to Military Committee.
Mr. Vest, of Missouri, presented the following bill, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:
an Act to provide for placing in the military service of the Confederate States citizens of the State of Maryland, reading or adjourning within the limits of the Confederate States.
The Congress of the Confederate States do enact as follows: Sic 1. Am par residing or within the limits of the Confederate States, claiming to be citizens of the State of Maryland, and not in the military service of the Confederacy, and who would, if citizens, of the Confederate States, he subject to the operations of the laws here enumerated, shall. if within the Confederate States on or after the 1st day of February 1863, be held subject to all the provisions and requirements of an act entitled "An Act to further provide for the public defence, " approved April 16, 1862, and an act approved September 26, 1862, entitled an act to amend an act entitled "An Act to provide further for the public defence" approved April 16 1862. as fully to all respects as if such persons citizens of the Confederate States.
2. It shall be the duty of the President, within ten days after the passage and approval of this act to issue his proclamation giving notice of the provisions contained, and from and after the 1st day of February, 1863, it shall be the duty of the officers to enforce raid provisions.
Mr. Vest also presented joint resolutions endorsing the recent proclamation of the President on the subject of retaliation. Laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Foots, of Tennessee, presented a stories of joint resolutions on the pending war, and matters appertaining thereto, which he sustained at some long h after which they were referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also, an set to sustain the present currency of the Government, and to prevent the fuse of depreciation of the same; referred to Committee of Ways and Means. Also joint resolutions in relation to cotton and tobacco now in private hands; name reference. Also, a resolution on the subject of military substitutes; referred to Military Committee. Also, an set providing for the punishment of pecuniary fraud in public officers their and abe and to punish the reception or retention of public money by public officers beyond what they may be entitled to receive, Read first and second times and referred to Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Foots also offered a resolution proposing investigation into alleged abuses in the Quarter master and Commissary Departments, and particularly into a certain contract for a large amount of flour, supposed to be about five hundred thousand barrels, which had recently been made with parties in this city.
This resolution was discussed at some length by Messrs. Foots and but without action upon it, the House on motion of Mr. Moore, of Kentucky, adjourned till 12 o'clock to morrow.
