Confederate States Congress.
Monday. March 2, 1863.
Senate--The Senate met at 12 o'clock M., Mr. Hunter, of Va., in the chair.
On motion of Mr. Sparrow, of La., the Committee on the Judiciary was instructed to inquire into the expediency of increasing the compensation now allowed by law for the publication of the laws in the newspapers.
On motion of Mr. Orr, of S. C., the Senate bill to increase the strength and efficiency of heavy artillery in South Carolina for coast defence was amended and laid on the table.
Mr. Oldham, of Texas, from the Committee of Commerce, to whom was referred joint resolution relative to the free navigation of the Mississippi river, reported back the same, with a substitute, which declares that it is the settled, recognized rule of international law that the right of navigating for commercial purposes rivers which flow from one State through the territory of another State into the sea is common to all the nations inhabiting different parts of its banks, &c. The resolution of the committee affirms these principles, and declares the free navigation of the Mississippi a natural right of the people of all the States upon its banks, or upon the banks of its navigable tributaries.
The report was ordered to be printed.
Mr. Clay. of Alabama, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported a bill to pay officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, not legally mustered into the service of the Confederate States, for services actually performed.
Mr. Sparrow, of La., from the same committee, reported back House bill "to prohibit the punishment of soldiers by whipping." with an amendment authorizing the punishment of deserters by imprisonment in a Penitentiary.
On motion of Mr. Davis, of N. C., the bill was laid over for the present.
Mr. Sparrow, from the same committee, also reported back House bill relative to the General staff with the recommendation that it pass.
The bill was placed on the calendar.
Mr. Oldham, from the Committee on Postal Affairs, reported back, with an amendment, the bill to authorize newspapers to be sent to soldiers free of postage.
The bill was placed on the calendar.
The impressment bill was next taken up, when Mr. Orr, of S. C., moved that the Senate resolve itself into secret session.
Mr. Hill, of Ga., was of the opinion that the subject of regulating impressments was more important than any other now pending, and demanded prompt action.
He hoped the Senate would proceed at once to dispose of the subject.
Mr. Yancey submitted an amendment to the bill, which, on his motion, was ordered to be printed.
Mr. Hill the coupon withdrew his opposition to the motion to go into secret session, and the motion of Mr. Orr was then agreed to.
House of Representatives.--House met at 12 o'clock, and was called to order by the Speaker.
The Speaker stated that the unfinished business of Friday was first in order, being the bill to authorize the acceptance of troops from Kentucky and Missouri for a term of service less than three years, reported back from the Committee on Military Affairs with the recommendation that the committee be discharged from its further consideration.
The bill was sustained by Messrs. Foote, of Tenn., Largan, of Ala., and Smith, of Va., and opposed by Messrs. Miles, of S. C., Read, of Ky., and Vest of Mo.
The question being called and sustained, and the committee discharged, the vote was then taken on the motion that the bill be laid upon the table.
On this motion the ayes and noes were ordered and resulted — ayes 46, noes 37.
So the bill was laid upon the table.
Mr. Read, of Ky., moved a reconsideration of the vote with a view to recommit the bill to the Military Committee.
Pending this motion.
On motion of Mr. Kenner, of La., the House went into secret session on the unfinished business before the Committee of the Whole. 