Confederate States Congress.
The Senate yesterday was called to order by Mr. Hunter, President pro-tempore.Mr. Sparrow, of Louisiana, introduced a bill to organize bodies for the capture and destruction of the enemy's property by sea or land, and to provide compensation therefore. Referred to the Military Committee.
Mr. Semmes, of Louisiana, offered a resolution requesting the President of the Confederate States to inform the Senate at what time the chief tax collector for the State of Louisiana was appointed, and when and in what part of the State he has entered upon the discharge of his duties. Agreed to.
Mr. Phelan, of Mississippi, introduced a bill to establish the office of Ensign in the army. Referred to the Military Committee.
Mr. Semmes, from the Finance Committee reported the following which was agreed to:
Resolved. That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to communicate to the Senate:
- 1st. The aggregate amount of the funded debt of the Confederate States, on the 1st of January, 1864.
- 2d. The aggregate amount of all certificates outstanding on the 1st January, 1864.
- 3d. The aggregate amount of non interest bearing Treasury notes, exclusive of those below the denomination of five dollars outstanding on the 1st January, 1864.
- 4th. The aggregate amount of interest-bearing Treasury notes outstanding the 1st January, 1864.
- 5th. The aggregate amount of Treasury notes below the denomination of five dollars, outstanding on the 1st of January, 1864.
The House met Tuesday night and immediately went into secret session. After opening the door a call of the House was made, and fifty members answered to their names.
A resolution was submitted by Mr. Gray, of Texas, that those members who had voted for a night session, and absented themselves, be brought to the bar of the House to render excuses, which was tabled.
On motion of Mr. Perkins, of La., a fine of twenty dollars was entered against every member absent without excuse.
The House then adjourned.
The House met at 11 o'clock Wednesday.
The rule for the call of the resolutions, &c, from the States was suspended, and the Senate bill to fix the time for the meeting of Congress in regular session was taken up.
The bill was advocated at considerable length by Messrs. Garland and Staples, and opposed by Mr. Barksdale.
The question being ordered on the amendment of the House Committee to change the time from the first Monday in May to the first Monday in April, it was adopted.
The main question was ordered, and the bill, as amended, was passed by 53 yeas to 25 nays.
The bill is entitled "An act to change the time of the assembling of Congress for the next regular session," and provides that it shall meet on the first Monday in April.
The House then went into secret session on the special order.
