Confederate Congress.
first session.
Senate.
Wednesday, March 12, 1862.
The Confederate States Congress resumed, yesterday, the consideration of the bill providing for the organization of the Arkansas and Red River Superintendency, and regulating trade and intercourse with the Indians therein, so as to preserve peace on the frontier; which passed.
A bill to increase the clerical force in the War Department, was passed.
A resolution was adopted to pay colored musicians the same as those regularly enlisted in the army.
The joint resolution passed by the House of Representatives, advising planters in the Confederacy to abstain from planting cotton and tobacco this year, and devote themselves exclusively to the production of grain and provisions, was taken up, when Mr. Brown, of Miss., moved to lay it on the table, for the purpose of allowing him to introduce a bill to curtail the cotton crop of the year 1862.
The motion was debated by Messrs. Brown of Miss., Orr of S. C., Clay of Ala., Wigfall of Texas, and Barnwell of S. C.
Mr. Memmes of La., moved to lay the resolution on the table; which motion prevailed.
House of Representatives.
Wednesday, March 12, 1862.
The House was opened with prayer by Rev. Moses D. Hoge, and the Journal of yesterday read.
The States were called in alphabetical order for memorials and resolutions, when Mr. Pugh, of Ala., introduced a resolution to authorize the President to increase his personal staff.
Referred to Military Committee.
Also, a resolution requesting the President to communicate to this House the report of Maj.- Gen. Bragg, of the bombardment of Pensacola, on the 22d and 23d of October last.
Resolution agreed to.
Mr. Foster, of Ala., introduced a bill for opening ports of entry of the Confederate States, and for other purposes, which was, on motion of Mr. Kenner, of La., referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Chilton, of Ala., moved that Mr. Arkins, of Tenn, be placed upon the Committee of Post-Office and Post Roads, in place of Mr. Clark, of Ga., absent from the city.
Mr. Roysyon, of Ark., presented a communication, which, without reading, was referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Mr. Garland, of Ark., introduced a bill entitled an act to establish a Court for the adjudication of all claims against the Confederate States.
Referred to Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Reed, of Ky., offered a resolution that the Clerk of the House furnish each member with a copy of the Constitution and acts of Provisional Congress, to be paid for out of the contingent fund.
Agreed to.
Mr. Conrad, of La., introduced a bill entitled an act to encourage the manufacture of saltpetre and small arms.
Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Barksdale, of Miss., submitted a design for the Confederate flag, which was referred to the Committee on Flag and Seal.
Mr. Davis, of Miss., offered a resolution tendering the thanks of Congress to the regimental and company officers and men who so gallantly defended Fort Donelson.
The resolution was supported by Mr. Davis, and opposed by Messrs. Bonham and Footh, on the ground that it indirectly censured two of the general officers--Buckner and Bushrod Johnson.
On motion of Mr. Smith, of Va., the resolution was referred to the special committee for the investigation of the surrender of Fort Donelson.
Mr. Davis, of Miss., offered a resolution instructing the military committee to inquire into the expediency of appropriating $500,000 for the support of the families of prisoners taken at Fort Donelson, and for the comfort of the prisoners themselves.
Mr. Conrad, of La., moved to amend the resolution by inserting, instead of "prisoners taken at Fort Donelson," "all of our prisoners of war now in the bands of the enemy," and striking out the specific sum. The resolution as amended was agreed to.
Mr. Swann, of Tenn., presented a bill to create the office of Judge Advocate General.
Referred to Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Garnett, of Va., asked leave of absence for his colleague, Col. Pryor, who had joined his regiment, now in the field.--Granted.
Also, presented a resolution requesting the President, if not in his judgment in conflict with the public interest, to communicate to this House the report of Brig. -Gen. Wise of the battle on Roanoke Island adopted.
A communication was received from the President conveying the report of Col. W. B. Taliaferro, of the action at Carrick's Ford, which was laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Conrad, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, reported back from that committee the bill to appropriate one hundred millions of dollars for creating a navy, building gunboats, and for the purchase of arms.
Laid on the table and the committee discharged from its further consideration.
Mr. Gartrell, of Ga., from the Judiciary Committee, reported back a bill with reference to the establishment of Confederate Courts.
Laid upon the table, and committee discharged from its consideration.
On motion of Mr. Foote, the House went into secret session.
After an hour in secret session, the doors were again opened, and the House took up the consideration of the bill "declaring what persons shall be exempt from militia duty. " A number of amendments were offered, but without coming to a vote the House adjourned at 4½ o'clock. 