Confederate Congress.
first session.
Senate.
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1862.
The Senate met at 12 o'clock M. Prayer by Rev. M. D. Hook, of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Burnett, of Ky., appeared in his seat, and after the reading of the journal, took the oath to support the Constitution of the Confederate States.
Mr. Clay of Ala., presented the following bill supplementary to the establishment of a War Department: ‘
"The Congress of the Confederate States do enact, that if any officer of the army be appointed Secretary of War and enter upon the duties of that office, he shall not thereby loss his rank in the army, but only the pay and allowances thereof during the time he is Secretary of War, and receiving the salary of that officer." ’
The bill was read a third time, and passed.
Mr. Simns, of Ky., submitted the following preamble and joint resolutions:
Whereas, the war in which we are now engaged with the Government and people of the late United States, was not provoked nor inaugurated by the Government or people of the Confederate States, and is now prosecuted and maintained by them only in vindication of the highest and meet sacred rights of a people resolved to be free and independent.
And whereas, the right of self-government, and the right to change, after, or abelian their form of government by the people of these States, and ordain and establish another, by their authority, better calculated to promote their happiness and secure their liberties, are lights inherent and inalienable, and by them never surrendered, and which they, in the most solemn manner, do now pledge themselves never to surrender. And whereas, the war now waged against them is the work of Northern fanaticism, and was conceived and is now prosecuted for the subjugation of the people of these States, and the overthrow of their social and domestic institutions, and finally for their enslavement and degradation before the civilized word: Be it, therefore,
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Congress of the Confederate States, That the people of these States will, to the last extremity, maintain and defend their right to self-government, and the Government ordained and established by them, and to this end, by their representatives, do hereby most solemnly pledge the last man and the last dollar within the limits of this Confederacy for the prosecution of this war, until their independence as a nation is recognized and acknowledged.
Resolved, 2d, That a brave and manly people can neither be appalled by danger nor intimidated by defeat, and that the people of these States will submit to any sacrifice and endure any trial, however severe, when these are necessary means of escape from subjugation and enslavement, and firmly relying, as they do, upon the justice of their cause, and humbly trusting in the providence of God, they will maintain their position before the world and high Heaven, while they have a voice to raise or an arm to defend.
On motion of Mr. Okr, of S. C., the preamble and resolutions were referred to the Committees on Military Affairs.
On motion of Mr. Phelan, of Mississippi, it was.
Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce be instructed to inquire into the expediency of repealing all duties upon imports, of abolishing all ports of entry, of preventing all exports from the Confederate States, except by permission of the Government; and of requiring the masters or owners of all vessels landing cargo upon our coast, who desire to reload for exportation from this country, to submit a manifest of the cargo so landed to some designated authority of the Government, with the right, on the part of said authority, to grant or withhold the permission so desired; and of enforcing the policy herein indicated by the most stringent penalties and regulations, and that said committee report as early as practicable, by bill or otherwise.
Mr.Henry, of Tenn., submitted the following preamble and joint resolution, which, on his motion, were referred to the Committee on Finance:
Whereas, It is desirable to encourage the planters of tobacco and cotton in the Confederate States, and others who are bone fide owners there of, to destroy, by burning or otherwise, those articles, rather than they should fall into the hands of the enemy: Be it, therefore,
Resolved, by the Congress of the Confederate States, That all such persons who shall burn their cotton or tobacco, or otherwise destroy the same, to prevent these articles from falling into the hands of the army or navy of the United States, shall be fully indemnified by the Government of the Confederate States, upon proof of the number of pounds of tobacco or cotton so destroyed, and proof of the necessity of such destruction to prevent the enemy from getting possession thereof.
The Senate then went into Executive session, and remained in session with closed doors for a short time.
After the doors were opened, bill No. 1 was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs; and the Committee on Military Affairs; and the Committee on Public Buildings was instructed to obtain suitable committee rooms; after which,
On motion of Mr. Hunter, the Senate adjourned. 