Virginia Legislature.
[Extra Session.]
Senate.
Monday, December 12, 1864.
The Senate was called to order at 12 o'clock. Prayer by
Rev. Dr. Doggett.
A large number of resolutions were offered and referred to appropriate committees, among which were the following:
Inquiring into the expediency of so amending the first section of the act for the support of soldiers' families as to authorize the impressment of supplies at rates greater than those fixed by the commissioners of the
Confederate States.
Inquiring into the expediency of so amending the duelling law as to relieve persons who may have incurred disabilities to hold office by engaging in duels since the the 10th day of January last.
Also, so much of the
Governor's message as relates to the subject of placing negroes as soldiers into the army of the
Confederate States.
A recess of ten minutes was agreed upon to allow the members to be introduced to
General Joseph E. Johnston, who appeared in the hall; after which, on motion of
Mr. Keen, the Senate adjourned.
House of Delegates.
The
House convened at noon. Prayer by
the Rev. Dr. Jeter, of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Haymond, from the
Committee on Finance, reported a bill to pay
General Robert E. Lee for his services as major general of the
Virginia bill was read the first
Mr. McCue, of duced a resolution referring so much of the
Governor's message as relates to the placing of negroes in the military service to the
Committee on Confederate Relations, with instructions to report adversely to the proposition.
The resolution gave rise to much discussion, the
House dividing on the two propositions presented: whether negroes were to be employed as soldiers or as pioneers, cooks, teamsters, etc.
Motions to indefinitely postpone and lay on the table were lost, and the resolution was referred, rejecting an amendment, by
Mr. Worsham, inserting the words "as soldiers" after the words "military service."
Mr. Dyerle submitted a resolution inviting a joint committee of both Houses to confer with the
Secretary of War concerning a detail of mechanics and workers in wood and iron to meet the demand of the farmers of the
State; which resolution was agreed to.
A resolution of
Mr. Deane, inviting
General Joseph E. Johnston to a privileged seat on the floor of the
House, was adopted.
The remainder was consumed by a discussion arising out of a resolution to create a new Salt Committee, composed of new members, some advocating the re-appointment of the old committee. --Adjourned.
