Confederate Congress.
Senate.
Monday, November 28, 1864.
The Senate met at 12 o'clock M.
Mr. Garland, of Arkansas, offered a resolution, which was agreed to, instructing the Finance Committee to inquire into the expediency of directing money collectors to take up receipts in the hands of producers who have, in good faith, through ignorance, paid their tax in kind to unauthorized persons.
Mr. Garland introduced a bill, which was referred to the Judiciary Committee, to prohibit express companies, associations, or individuals, from carrying letters, papers, etc., unless authorized by the Post-Office Department.
Mr. Baker, of Florida, offered a resolution, which was agreed to, instructing the Committee on Military Affairs to inquire into the expediency of allowing transportation to officers traveling with leave of absence.
Mr. Caperton, of Virginia, offered a resolution, which was agreed to, instructing the Military Committee to inquire into the expediency of providing by law for the promotion of adjutants of regiments to the rank of captains.
Mr. Hill, of Georgia, presented the memorial of the adjutants of the regiments of Colquitt's brigade asking that the rank of adjutants be raised to that of captain of infantry, and that they be placed in the line of promotion, or that they be included in the bill organizing a general staff, with the rank of captain of cavalry.
Referred to the Military Committee.
Mr. Caperton offered a resolution, which was agreed to, that the Finance Committee inquire into the expediency of extending the time wherein may be exchanged for new issue, old issue notes held by citizens or soldiers who are, or until recently have been, prisoners in the hands of the enemy.
Mr. Semmes, of Louisiana, offered a resolution, which was agreed to, requesting the President to inform the Senate whether or not the alms-house of the city of Richmond, heretofore occupied as a hospital for sick and wounded officers of the army, has been diverted from such use, and, if so, the reasons therefore, and whether adequate provision has been made for the comfortable accommodation of such officers.
Mr. Semmes also offered a resolution, which was agreed to, directing the Judiciary Committee to inquire into the expediency of establishing a Confederate court for that part of Louisiana east of the Mississippi river during the war.
The bill to provide supplies for the army and prescribe the mode of impressments, reported back from the Judiciary Committee with amendments, was ordered to be printed.
The bill to exempt from export and import restrictions cargoes of vessels owned by the States, reported back with amendments from the Committee on Commerce, was ordered to be printed.
House joint resolution of thanks to General N. B. Forrest was considered and passed.
Senate bill to extend to citizens the assessment of prices for the army was, on motion, by Mr. Sparrow, postponed till the second Monday in December.
A bill reported from the Finance Committee as a substitute for the bill to construe and declare the meaning of the act increasing the compensation of the heads of the executive departments was ordered to be printed.
Further consideration of the bill declaring four per cent. bonds and certificates therefore receivable for the taxes of 1864 was postponed till to-day.
Consideration of the resolution relative to "Order No. 77" was postponed till next Monday.
The bill to amend the act to increase the efficiency of the army by the employment of free negroes and slaves in certain capacities was taken up, and, after consideration, postponed till to-day.
On motion, by Mr. Caperton, the Senate resolved into secret session.