The Daily Dispatch: February 21, 1862., [Electronic resource]

House of Representatives.

After the reading of the Journal of yesterday, Messrs. Arrington, of North Carolina, and Holdimer of Virginia, appeared and took the cash.

Mr. Boyce, of S. C., presented the annexed resolution, which was referred to the Committee on Rules:

Resolved, That in addition to the usual standing committees, a committee be appointed to be entitled a Committee on Public Defence to whom shall be referred the following subjects: The procuring of arms, ammunition, and munitions of war, the increase of the army, and the conduct of the war.

Mr. Curris of Tenn., presented a memorial of citizens of Tipton county, Tenn., with reference to the suspension of the Sunday mail. Laid upon the table without reading.

Mr. Foote, of Tenn., submitted the following resolution, and moved its adoption:

Resolved, That whatever propriety there may have been in the original adoption of what is known as the defensive policy in connection with the prosecution of the pending war for Southern independence, recent events have already demonstrated the expediency of abandoning that policy henceforth and forever, and that it will be the duty of the Government of the Confederate States to import all possible activity to our military forces everywhere, and to assail the forces of the enemy wherever they are to be found, whether upon the land or water, with a view to obtaining the most ample indemnity for the past, and the most complete security for the future.

Mr. Jenkins, of Va., said that the resolution had better be referred to some appropriate committee, and opposed its immediate adoption — might be construed into a reflection upon those on whom the conduct of the war devolved.

Mr. Foote was of the opinion that the resolution was just such as the exigencies of this crisis demanded and were couched in language which could not be mistaken. He had not expected opposition from any member of the House when he submitted this proposition. disclaimed any intention to upon the President of the Confederate States, and paid a high compliment to the ability, energy, and patriotism of that functionary, and was proceeding at some length to disclaim any intention, in presenting the proposition, to offer any factions opposition to the Administration, when.

Mr. Curry asked if the gentleman from Tennessee would yield the floor for a moment to the report of the Committee on Rules. The report was sent to the desk, but without reading was withdrawn.

Mr. Foote resumed, and stated that a prominent citizen of the State of Mississippi, a warm personal and political friend of the President, had declared that the President had authorize him to say, that so far as the movements of our armies in the field were concerned, a liberal discretion had been left to our experienced Generals, and the responsibility of the defensive policy pursued did not rest with the executive. In submitting this proposition he was actuated by higher and more patriotic considerations than opposition to the Administration. He wanted the effect of this war to be felt by the enemy, and some of its disasters brought home to their doors; he wanted our victorious to be marshalled upon their own soil, that they might be made to pay the expenses of the war; he wanted to see their proud cities, Philadelphia, New York, Cincinnati, and even Boston — he would not say laid in the dust — but made to feel, as some of our own cities were now feeling, some of the disastrous consequences of this unholy crusade upon our rights and our liberties. He wished it understood that the late reverses, disastrous as they were, had not unnerved the public heart; that our courage was not only exhausted, but invigorated. He gave it as his judgment that if our army, within eight or ten days after the battle of Manassas, had crossed into Maryland, and rescued the cities of Baltimore and Annapolis, the people of that gallant State would have stormed the forts, or starved out the miserable hordes that esserated their soil. He thought that our army in Kentucky should never have remained at Bowling Green; it ought to have pushed on to Louisville, which could have been held, and thus protection would have been given to thirty thousand men, who would have rallied to our standard. Our own inactivity had encouraged the advance of the enemy, and had given them every opportunity for preparation. He reviewed the course pursued by our armies, and commented with some severity upon the conduct of the heads of the Navy and War Departments.

Mr. Jenkins said, the same reasons which guided him in offering opposition to the resolution would influence him in continuing to oppose it. He intended to be brief, and asked the indulgence of the House, whilst he attempted to reply to the remarks of the gentleman from Tennessee. He said that to adopt the offensive policy recommended by the resolution of Mr. Foote, we must double our armies, and put arms in the hands of our soldiers.

Mr. Foote replied at length, stating that he

had high military authority for believing that the policy recommended in the resolution was the true policy of our Government. He alluded to a conversation with General Beauregard, and he knew that that gallant officer was in favor of such a policy. He spoke of an interesting occasion where that officer declared that he would plant the Confederate flag on the monument in Baltimore. He had heard that the President was surprised that our army did not go as far even as Hill, and that he was in favor of the occupation of Paducah by our forces. The policy of the English Government in the Crimean war had been changed, by the exposure of official incompetency, and such as exposure he deemed necessary now in the ar and Navy departments of this Government. He wanted men of intellect and experience in these Departments. He desired the President to be surrounded by a body of chieftains capable of relieving him of a portion of the heavy burdens that rested upon him. At the conclusion of Mr. Foote's remarks,

Mr. Kefeeb of La., offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

‘ Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to inquire what measures are proper to be taken to secure comfort to the members of the House, and convenience to the public, while in open session.

’ ‘ Mr. Curry from the Committee on Rules, submitted a report, in which the following committees are created, and the members of which will, no doubt, be announced by the Speaker at an early day:

Committee of Elections; Committee of Ways and Means; Committee of Military Affairs; Committee of Foreign Affairs; Committee of Naval Affairs; Committee of Judiciary; Committee of Commerce; Committee of Post-Office and Roads; Committee of Territories and Public Lands; Committee of Indian Affairs; Committee of Patents; Committee of Claims. Seven members each.

Committee of Accounts; Committee of Rules and Offices of the House. Five members each.

Committee of Pay and Mileage Committee of Enrolled Bills. Three members each.

On motion, the House adjourned to twelve o'clock to-morrow.

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