Confederate States Congress.
Senate.--The Senate met yesterday at 12 o'clock, Mr. Hunter, of Va., In the chair.In reply to inquiries by Mr Hill, of Ga, as to what had become of the House bill to allow officers in the army to purchase rations, the chairman of the Military Committee stated that the bill was before the committee and would be reported upon this morning.
Mr. Orr, from the Committee on Foreign Affair, submitted the following, which was passed:
‘ Resolved, That a joint committee of five on the part of the Senate, and --on the part of the House of Representatives, be appointed to collect authentic information concerning the treatment by the Federal authorities of such slaves as have fallen into the hands of the enemy during the present war.
’ House bill to increase (50 per cent) the compensation of the assistant clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives, reported favorably from the Finance Committee, was, on motion of Mr Burnett, laid over till this morning.
Senate bill to authorize the owners of the registered eight per cent ten year convertible bonds, issued under the act of 16th May, 1861 to exchange the same for coupon bonds, was considered and passed.
The bill to amend the act to organize military courts to attend the armies in the field, and to define their powers, was considered and passed. The bill authorizes the commanders of divisions, &c., remote from the headquarters of the Department to exercise, as regards the findings of the courts, the powers now exercised by the commanders of Departments.
From the Military Committee was reported back, with an amendment, the bill to allow the Surgeon and Commissary Generals to contract for the manufacture of spirituous liquor. Laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
The Military Committee reported adversely the bill to amend the act to establish the Nitre and Mining Bureau.
The Senate refused to concur in House amendments to the bill to provide compensation for non- commissioned officers, soldiers, sailors and marines on detailed service.
The Senate also refused to concur in House amendments to the bill to punish lawlessness and repress irregularity in the cavalry. On motion, Mr, Sparrow asked for a committee of conference.
Senate bill to provide for the establishment and payment of claims for property taken or informally impressed for the use of the Government, was taken up and considered. And pending its consideration the Senate resolved into secret session, and soon after adjourned.
House of Representatives--Prayer by the Rev Dr. Doggett, of the M. E Church.
House bill to establish certain post routes was taken up, and the Senate amendment concurred in.
House bill to authorize the Judges of the District Courts in the Northern District of Georgia to change the places of holding said Courts, was taken up, and the Senate amendments were concurred in.
Mr. Montague, of Va., offered a resolution instructing the Committee on the Medical Department to inquire into the expediency of increasing the allowances to patients in hospitals, which was agreed to.
Mr. Clopton, of Ala, from the Committee on the Medical Department, reported a bill to amend an act regulating the granting of furloughs and discharges in hospital, pending the consideration of which, the morning hour having expired.
The House resumed the consideration of the bill to amend the tax laws.
Mr. Anderson's substitute was adopted in lieu of that proposed by Mr. Colyer.
The question recurring on the adoption of Mr. Anderson's substitute in lieu of the bill reported from the committee, was decided in the affirmative.
The bill, as amended, was then read a third time and passed.
On motion of Mr. Rives, of Va., the House resolved itself into secret session.
