Evening session.
The Senate met again at 8 o'clock P. M., Lt. Gov. Montague in the Chair. Mr. Wickham offered a resolution, as a rule of the Senate, that whenever that body proceeded to consider any nominations of the Governor which are subject to ratification by the Senate, it would do so in Executive session, with closed doors, the proceedings to be kept secret, unless the Senate direct otherwise by vote. Adopted. Mr. Douglas offered the following: Resolved. That the Governor be requested to lay before the Senate all the papers and testimonials filed with him in behalf of the officers nominated by him under the law organizing an Ordnance Department. Agreed to. Report from Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. August, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom were referred the joint resolution of the House in regard to the contemplated removal of arms from Bellona foundry, near Richmond, together with the substitute of Mr. Douglas, made a report, setting forth a history of the transaction, and closing by offering, as a substitute for the House resolutions, that offered by Mr. Douglas, (see morning proceedings,) with an additional resolution, providing for the purchase of the arms by the State of Virginia. The report also amends the first resolution, by authorizing the Governor to call out such part of the militia as he may deem necessary Messrs. Wickham and McKenney, from the same committee, presented a minority report, requesting Mr. Archer not to deliver said arms to the U. S. Government, and providing that said arms be placed in the hands of the Superintendent of the Armory, at Richmond, and authorizing an appropriation from the "million fund," to pay for the same. Mr. Gatewood moved to lay the report on the table, in order to take up the special order — confirming the nominations of the Governor for the Ordnance Department. At the suggestion of Mr. Douglas this motion was withdrawn. The reports of the Committee were then reported. An animated discussion ensued between Messrs. Douglas and H. W. Thomas. The minority report, offered as a substitute for the majority, was rejected. Ayes 11, noes 23. The majority report then coming up, the question was divided, and the vote first taken upon the preamble and first resolution — ayes 26, noes 7, Adopted. The second resolution appropriating a sum sufficient to remunerate Dr. J. L. Archer, and the United States Government, requiring a constitutional vote, received 31 votes in its favor, Mr. Stuart alone voting in the negative. Adopted. It was then ordered that the action of the Senate be communicated to the House by Mr. Douglas. Bills Passed.--A bill for the incorporation of the Kanawha Salt Company; to authorize the formation of a battalion of two companies in the towns of Scottsville and Howardsville, in the county of Albemarle. On motion of Mr. Day, adjourned. In connection with the proceedings of the Senate last night, the following letter, received in this city from Gen. Scott, by a member of the House, will be read with interest by the public; Washington, March 27, 1861.
Dear Sir:
On inquiry here, at the Ordnance Department, I learn that the guns at the Bellona Arsenal, about which you write, are, by contract, to be delivered at Rocketts, on board (I believe) of some vessel — to avoid the double expense of landing and re-shipping before being paid for. If seized before this period, the loss would fall wholly on the foundry.
The guns are only sent to Fortress Monroe as a safe place of deposit, being as little wanted there, for the defence of that work, as for the defence of Richmond.
This subject was yesterday before the Secretary of War, on an inquiry from some quarter unknown to me, and I have not time to learn the character of his reply.
The only inquiry in the case results from the founder's want of the contract money.
I write as a mere outsider in respect to such matters; for my position, happily, exempts me from the handling of money, from all contracts and disbursements. Dear Sir:
