Confederate States Congress.
Wednesday, March 4, 1863.Senate.--The Senate was called to order at 12 o'clock M, by Mr. Hunter, of Va., and opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Seeley, of the Second Baptist Church.
Mr. Clay, from the Committee on Commerce, to whom was referred the bill making Columbia, S. C., a port of delivery for goods imported into Charleston, S. C., and Wilmington, N. C., reported, with the recommendation that it do not pass.
Mr. Clay, from the same committee reported a bill to abolish all ports of delivery in the Confederate States, which was placed upon the calender.
Mr. Sparrow, from the Military Committee, reported back a joint resolution relative to General Orders issued from the Adjutant-General's office, with the recommendation that it do not pass.
Mr. Oldham, from the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads, reported, without amendment, the bill to vest in the Government, as a part of its postal system, all the rights of the American Telegraph Company in the telegraph lines within the Confederate States, and to provide for working the same. Laid on the table.
Mr. Oldham, from the same committee, reported the following bills: ‘"For the confiscation of the leasehold, interest, and shares of stock owned by the American Telegraph Company, and other alien enemies in the lines of telegraph in the Confederate States," and "declaring the telegraph a part of the postal system of the Confederate States, and to provide for working the same."’
A communication was received from the Secretary of War covering an estimate of additional funds required for the service of the Ordnance Bureau up to June, 1863. Referred to Military Committee.
Mr. Caperion presented a memorial of citizens of Petersburg praying for relief from the forcible seizure of private property without just compensation. Laid on the table.
The Senate resumed, in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bills "to authorize and regulate the impressment of private property for the use of the army and other military purposes." Sundry amendments were offered, and the Senate was engaged on it till the hour of adjournment.
House of Representatives.--The House met at its usual hour, and immediately after the reading the journal resolved itself into secret session for the consideration of the Currency bill, which has occupied its time in secret session for nearly two weeks.
