Confederate Congress.
Senate.
Tuesday, December 13, 1864.
Prayer by
Rev. Mr. Minnegerode, of the Episcopal Church.
By
Mr. Semmes: A bill to establish the flag of the
Confederate States.
Referred to the Naval Committee.
Senate concurrent resolution providing for the adjournment of Congress from the 22d instant to the 2d of January was passed.
By
Mr. Watson, of
Mississippi: A bill to provide for the more efficient execution of conscription and for the arrest of deserters and absentees from the army.
Referred to the Military Committee.
On motion, by
Mr. Walker, the vote on the bill to provide for the employment of free negroes and slaves to labor in the army was reconsidered; and, after an amendment by
Mr. Watson, of
Mississippi, providing for the exemption of slaves in localities to be indicated by the
Governors of States, the bill was passed.
Mr. Henry's joint resolutions defining the position of the
Confederate States, and declaring the determination of the
Congress and the people thereof to-prosecute the war till their independence is acknowledged, with a verbal amendment by the
Committee on Foreign Relations, was considered and passed unanimously.
The Senate resolved into secret session and soon after adjourned.
House of Representatives.
Prayer by
the Rev. Dr. Jeter.
The morning hour was consumed in the discussion of the bill confiscating the property of those who have left the
Confederacy to avoid military service.
A bill, reported by
Mr. Burnett, of the
Committee on Pay and Mileage, increasing the pay of members of Congress fifty per cent, was passed.
Ayes, 45; nays, 41.
[The present salary of Congressmen is $3,000 per annum.]
Adjourned.
