Confederate States Congress.
[Adjourned session.]
Senate.
not in session.
House of Representatives.
Saturday, Aug. 30, 1862.
The House met at 12 o'clock, and was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Sekley.
The Journal of yesterday was read.
Mr. Boteler presented a memorial on the subject of horses lost in the public service, which was referred to the Military Committee without reading.
Mr. Russell, of Va., presented a resolution that the President be requested to communicate to this House the cartel recently agreed upon for a general exchange of prisoners with the enemy, and to inform this House whether the enemy is known to have violated the same in any way, and particularly by administering oaths of allegiance to prisoners in their custody, and retaining them in the United States.
The resolution was agreed to.
Mr. Russell., also, offered a resolution that the Committee on the Judiciary inquire and report whether the conduct of the Federal Government absolves this Government from the obligation to observe the established usages of international warfare in our relations with the enemy, except so far as, in particular cases, the Government may deem best to observe them voluntarily.
This last resolution elicited considerable discussion, which was participated in by Messrs. Russell, Moore, Lyons, Miles, and others; after which,
Mr. Miles, of S, C., offered a resolution that the resolution now before the House, and all bills and resolutions relating to the subject of retaliation in the hands of the Military Committee, be withdrawn from that committee and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Kenan, of Ga., moved to lay the resolution of Mr. Russell on the table; but the motion did not prevail.
Mr. Chilton, of Ala., submitted the following as a substitute for the resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary inquire and report whether any, and what, legislation is necessary on the part of Congress to enable our Government to prevent, by retaliatory measures consistent with the law of nations and the usages of civilized warfare, the atrocities and brutal conduct perpetrated by the enemy, in violation of the laws of war, upon the property and persons of the citizens and soldiers of this Confederacy.
The question recurred upon the resolution of Mr. Miles, which was agreed to, and both the resolutions of Mr. Russell and Mr. Chilton were referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Russell, of Va., introduced a bill to protect persons who resist the efforts of the invading enemy to subjugate these States and to exterminate the loyal people thereof.
Referred to Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Lyons, of Va, presented two memorials from citizens of Henrico county, in regard to losses sustained from our troops; also, a memorial from druggists of Richmond, and from a mining company, asking for a change in the exemption laws.--Referred to Military Committee.
Mr. Lyons, from the Committee on Public Buildings, said that the ball for the use of the House was nearly prepared, and that it would be necessary to give up the room at present occupied before the assembling of the Virginia Legislature.
He therefore offered a resolution that on Tuesday next, the 2d of September, the members of this House will draw seats in the new hall prepared for them, and that when they adjourn on that day they adjourn to meet in said hall.
Agreed to.
On motion of Mr. Holt, of Georgia, the House went into secret session on a communication from the Senate. 