Congressional summary.
In the Senate yesterday
Mr. Maxwell introduced resolutions in behalf of certain destitute families driven from
Pensacola by the Abolitionists.
Bills were reported to create a Provisional army of the
Confederate States, providing for the transfer of prisons serving in the army to the navy, amending the act relative to impressments; for retiring officers of the army.
The bill amending the act authorizing the
Secretary of the Navy to make certain contracts without advertising for proposals was passed.
The consideration of the joint resolution relative to the fire navigation of the
Mississippi was postponed till to-day, joint resolution relative to orders issued from the
Adjutant General's office was indefinitely postponed.
The bill to aid committees of Congress in getting testimony and to punish false swearing before them, was passed with an amendment.
Bill for the relief of
Mrs. Lauras Harper was lost by a tie vote, which was after wards reconsidered.
Mr. Brown introduced a bill authorizing the
Secretary of the Navy to purchase a site for a laboratory and magazine near the city of
Richmond.
A resolution was submitted that hereafter the Senate will take a recess from 3½ o'clock to 7 P. M. each day during the remainder of the season.
In the House the
Speaker laid before the body a cater from
Hon. Wm. Smith, of
Va., tendering his resignation as representative of the 9th Congressional District.
The letter was read and laid on the table.
Under the resolution of
Mr. Herbert, of
Texas, in relation to abuses at Castle Thunder, the following commission was appointed by the
Speaker;
Messrs Herbert of
Texas,
Smith of Ala, Dejarnetic of Va,
Clark of Ga, and
Simpson of
South Carolina.
The bill introduced by
Mr. Harris of
Mo., from the
Committee on Military Affairs, to provide for the relief of officers and soldiers irregularly introduced into the service of the
Confederate States, was taken up and passed.
It has reference more particularly to the troops sworn into service by
Gens Price and Van-
Dorn.
A joint resolution was submitted by
Mr. Swann, of Tenn, declaring that if the
President shall deem if consistent with the price interest to withdraw the commissioner of the
Confederate States from
Great Britain such action, in the judgment of Congress, will receive the warm approval of the country.
The
House refused to suspend the rule to allow the resolution to be considerate.
Certain vote messages of the
President were made the special order for Thursday.
A message was received from the Senate, announcing that body disagreed to the
House amendment to the bill relating to the exemption of mail contractors, etc. and resting a committee of conference.
On motion of
Mr. Miles, of S. C, the
House determined to insist upon its amendment, and a committee of conference was agreed to.
The bill to provide for holding elections for representatives in the Congress of the Confederate States, in States occupied by the forces of the one my, was taken up, and was under consideration at 3 o'clock, when the
House took a recess till 7½ o'clock.
The
House met at 7½ o'clock, but without waiting for a quorum adjourned over to 11 o'clock this morning.
