House of Representatives.
The House was opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Minnegerode, of the Episcopal Church.General Henry Gray, member elect from the State of Louisiana, vice Mr. Hodge, deceased, appeared and took the requisite oath.
Mr. Ayer, of South Carolina, introduced a resolution, that the President be requested to inform the House how it has been that our soldiers in the field have been so long without pay, and expressing it as the sense of Congress that the troops in the field ought to be paid in preference to other officers and employees of the Government.
Mr. Witherspoon, of South Carolina, offered a resolution, which was adopted, looking to the authorization, by Congress, of the Postmaster General to purchase United States postage stamps for the use of citizens who have relations who are prisoners at the North; and also advocating the giving of the franking privilege to Confederate prisoners.
Mr. Miles, of South Carolina, introduced a bill to authorize hospital accommodations to retired officers and soldiers.
Mr. Boyce, of South Carolina, introduced a resolution, which was adopted, limiting debate to thirty minutes.
A resolution of Mr. Colyar, of Tennessee, was adopted, fixing the hour of meeting of the House at 11 o'clock A. M. and adjournment at 10 P. M., with an intervening recess.
On motion of Mr. Baldwin, the House went into secret session.
Adjourned.
