Thursday Aug. 21, 1862.
The Senate was called to order at twelve o'clock M., by
Vice-President Stephens, and opened with prayer by
Rev. Mr. Seeley, of the Second Baptist Church.
The Journal of yesterday being read, was approved.
The following resolution, offered by
Mr. Semmes, of
La., was adopted:
Resolved, That the
Committee on Finance be instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing an agency for the Treasury Department west of the
Mississippi, for the purpose of issuing Treasury Notes to supply the wants of the
Government, and report by bill or otherwise.
Mr. Barnwell, of
S. C., announced to the Senate that the absence of his colleague (
Mr. Orr) was occasioned by severe indisposition.
Mr. Sparrow, of
La., from the
Committee on Military Affairs, reported the following bills, which were read a second time and placed upon the calendar:
An act to amend an act entitled ‘"An act to organize bands of partisan rangers;" ’ approved 21st April, 1862.
Sec. 1st.
The Congress of the Confederate States do enact, That hereafter no authority shall be granted to raise or organize bands of partisan rangers within the limits of any military district, except when the companies or regiments composing the military force of said district are filled to the maximum number.
Sec. 2d.
That whenever the number of partisan rangers shall, in the opinion of the
District or Division
Commander exceed the number necessary for partisan service, the
Secretary of War is authorized hereby to brigade them, and place them on the same footing as troops of the line.
An act to amend an act entitled ‘"an act to further provide for the public defence; "’ approved 16th April, 1862.
Sec. 1.
The Congress of the Confederate States do enact, That all persons liable to military duty, and who have not already been enrolled, shall be immediately enrolled and reported by the enrolling officers, and held to service, wherever they may be found, whether they are residents of the
State or county where they may be found or not; and any person leaving without proper permission after said enrollment, shall be held and declared a deserter, and punished as such.
A message was received from the
President, transmitting a communication from the
Secretary Referred.
A message was received from the
House, announcing the adoption of a joint resolution of thanks to
Gen. John H. Morgan, his officers and men.
Mr. Yancey, of
Ala., presented the following series of resolutions:
- Resolved, by the Senate of the Confederate States of America, That the war which is now being waged by the United States for the avowed purpose of subjugating the people of the several States of this Government to the dominion of the Government of the United States, is, in the opinion of the Senate, a war as well upon the people as upon the Government of the Confederate States of America; and that the principles upon which this Government, and the Governments of the several States which compose it, are founded, justify each citizen thereof, when the invading enemy enters upon the soil of his State, in taking up arms to defend his homestead and liberties, and in attacking the invader either by individual action or in organized bands.
- 2. Resolved, That where any of our citizens shall exercise this sacred right, and shall by the fortunes of war fall into the hands of the enemy, they are entitled to be treated as prisoners of war, and if they shall be treated otherwise, it is the duty of this Government to extend to them all the protection which may be within its power, or to retaliate for injuries done to them.
- 3. Resolved, That in the event the enemy shall, in revenge for such patriotic defence of their State by any of its citizens, seize upon and imprison or otherwise injure other of its citizens not implicated in the particular acts for which such revenge may be taken, or shall pillage or destroy the property of any of our citizens, it will be the duty of this Government to take prompt notice of such acts of cowardly barbarity, and as far as may be within its power, to punish the perpetrators thereof, or to retaliate in such manner as may be most likely to deter the enemy from a repetition of such deeds.
- 4. Resolved, That the Senate has learned with lively satisfaction that the President of the Confederate States has already given serious attention and grave consideration to the subject of several gross violations of the laws and usages of civilized war by the military authorities of the Government of the United States, and has already initiated measures tending to prevent their recurrence; and while the Senate responds with sympathy to the regret expressed by the President at the stern necessity which the enemy seems ruthlessly to force upon this Government of protecting its citizens by the bloody law of retaliation, it will give to the President its unfaltering support in the prompt execution of measures devised for the complete protection of our citizens in the exercise of the inalienable rights of self-defence.
- 5. Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs are instructed to inquire and report what further legislation, if any, may be necessary to clothe the Executive with the amplest authority to act upon and carry out the intent and principles enunciated in these resolutions.
The resolutions were debated by
Messrs. Yancey,
Wigfall,
Semmes, and
Sparrow, and the further consideration postponed till Monday.
Mr. Clay, of
Ala., introduced a bill for increasing the staff of
Brigadier-Generals of the C. S. army, which was placed on the calendar.
Mr. Clark, of
Mo., moved that the Senate go into secret session for the transaction of Executive business.
Carried.
