Confederate Congress.
Senate.
Saturday, February 4, 1865.
Prayer by
the Rev. Dr. Minnegerode, of the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Brown, of
Mississippi, introduced a joint resolution of thanks to
Captain Raphael Semmes, of the
Confederate States war steamer
Alabama, and the officers and men under his command. --Referred to the Naval Committee.
Mr. Sparrow, from the Military Committee, reported a bill, which was placed on the calendar and ordered to be printed, to exempt from all military service all skilled artisans and mechanics who are engaged in the employment of the
Confederate States during the time they are so employed.
Mr. Burnett, from the
Committee on Claims, reported back, with the recommendation that it pass,
House joint resolution for the relief of the
Virginia Mechanics' Institute.
The resolution was considered and passed.
Bill for the relief of Power,
Lowe & Co., of
Wilmington, North Carolina, was postponed till to-day.
Senate resumed consideration of Senate bill to provide for the employment of free negroes and slaves in the army, the pending question being
Mr. Orr's motion to reconsider the vote by which the Senate, on the previous day, disagreed to the
House amendment striking out the clause of the bill limiting to forty thousand the number of slaves to be employed in the army.
Messrs. Watson,
Simms,
Vest and
Walker addressed the Senate in favor of concurring in the amendment of the
House;
Mr. Caperton opposed it. Each of these gentlemen, before concluding his remarks, expressed himself in favor of the restoration of
General Joseph E. Johnston to the command of the Army of Tennessee.
On motion, by
Mr. Garland, the further consideration of the subject was postponed till Monday.
The bill to establish the flag of the
Confederate States was taken up and passed.
On motion, by
Mr. Sparrow, the Senate adjourned.
House of Representatives.
The
House met at 11 o'clock, and was opened with prayer by
the Rev. Dr. Hoge.
The Speaker laid before the
House certain patriotic resolutions, adopted by
Wise's brigade, which were, after discussion, laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Smith, of
North Carolina, from the
Committee on Claims, reported a bill for the relief of
Nathaniel Moore from responsibility for Government funds captured by the enemy.
Pending the consideration of which, the morning hour having expired, the
House resolved into secret session.
The doors being re-opened, the
House adjourned.
