House of Representatives.
Saturday, Feb. 22, 1862.
The
House met at 11½ o'clock, the
Speaker in the Chair.
Prayer by
the Rev. Mr. Duncan.
The Clerk read the Journal of yesterday, which was approved.
Hen.
Mr. Munnerlyn, of
Georgia, appeared and took the oath.
Mr. Foote asked for a reconsideration of the resolution of yesterday adjourning the
House until 12 o'clock, and moved that the
House assemble immediately after the inaugural ceremonies were concluded.
Public exigencies might require an earlier meeting of the
House than the hour indicated in the resolution.
Some suggestions of the inaugural address might possibly demand the consideration of the
House.
He had come here not toddle his time, but to meet the emergencies which the condition of the
Government imposed upon him. He had understood that the public defences required attention.
Mr. Currin, of
Tennessee, submitted to his honorable colleague whether it was not desirable to have deliberate action, and whether such action was likely to be had so soon after the ceremonies incident to inauguration.
Mr. Foote knew of no reason why the gravity of members should be disturbed by the incidents of the day. He had no doubt that the ceremonies would be of a grave and dignified character.
Mr. Conrad, of
Va., would inquire of the gentleman from
Tennessee whether he had received any intimation from the
President that suggestions would be made which render it important for this
House to convene earlier than Monday, with a view to their consideration.
Mr. Foote said the condition of public affairs required the attention of Congress.
The scriptural injunction was, ‘"What thou doest, do quickly."’
Mr. Currin was of the opinion that the circumstances surrounding the members after the inaugural would preclude anything like deliberate action.
Mr.Smith, of
Virginia, was rather surprised at the course of the remarks.
The proposition of the gentleman from
Tennessee was simply one based upon the probability that some suggestions might be submitted by the
President, which it would be well for the
House to consider at once.
He favored the gentleman's suggestion.
The question was called on the motion to reconsider the resolution of yesterday, and the resolution was adopted.
The motion to meet immediately after the inaugural ceremonies was agreed to, and the
House adjourned.
1½ o'clock P. M.
Mr. Foote sent to the
Speaker's desk the following resolution:
Resolved, That a committee, to be composed of one member from each of the States, be appointed by the
Speaker, whose duty it shall be to request the
Secretary of War, at his earliest convenience, to supply them with the fullest and most minute information in regard to the present condition of our armies in the field, the state of our defences on the seaboard, along our rivers and elsewhere, and report the same to this House, with a view to enabling Congress to adopt such measures, in co-operation with the Executive Department of the
Government, as may be best calculated to facilitate the establishment of our national independence, and give peace, safety, and a sense of permanent security to our whole people.
Mr. Smith asked if the gentleman had any particular information requiring the adoption of the resolution.
If not he thought it might probably lie over until Tuesday.
Mr. Foote had no particular information, but supposed it might be important to have early legislation in support of our armies.--We had no means of determining whether the War Department itself had any information, but thought it very probable that that Department had important information, and this resolution was offered to elicit anything that might be important for its consideration.
He did not regard the condition of our public affairs as hopeless, but the
House had not been permitted to know the real condition of the country.
Mr. Conrad would state for the information of the gentleman from
Tennessee, who was not a member of the late Provisional Congress, that ample appropriations, extending for several months, based upon the estimates of heads of departments, had been made for the support of our army and for the public defences, and if the departments had not taken the proper steps for our security, the fault was not with Congress.
Mr. Payor had to detain the
House with but a word.
In response to a reference by the honorable member from
Tennessee to the defences of
Richmond city, he had to state, that on consultation with the
Secretary of War this morning, he was assured, somewhat to his surprise, and infinitely to his gratification, that he has concerted the most expedient and
efficient defences against a water approach to
Richmond, insomuch as at least to detain the enemy until an army could be collected here to repel the invader.
This statement he thought proper to make in connection with the representation by the member from
Tennessee.
The resolution of
Mr. Foote was then, on his motion, laid upon the table.
Mr. Garland, of
Arkansas, offered a resolution that 1,000 copies of the
Inaugural Address be printed for the use of the members of this House.
Mr. Curry opposed the resolution.
The inaugural of the
President was not a communication to Congress.
Mr. Jones inquired if a copy was in possession of the
House.
The Speaker announced that he knew of none.
Mr. Garland withdrew the resolution, when, on motion of
Mr. Smith, the
House adjourned until Monday.
