The Daily Dispatch: January 16, 1863., [Electronic resource]

Confederate States Congress,

Eulogies on the late Wm. Ballard Preston were delivered by Messrs. Hunter of Va; Henry, of Tenn.; Clay, of Ala.; Semmes, of La., and Wigsfall, Texas, and the following resolution passed:

Resolved, unanimously, That the Senate deeply mentor the recent death of the Hon. William Preston, who, at the time of his decease, was a member of this body from the State of Virginia, and tenders to his widow a sincere sympathy in his most afflicting bereavement.

House of Representatives--The House was lied to order at 12 o'clock by the regular Speaker, Hon. Thos. S. Bocock. Prayor by Rev. Mr. Cumy.

Mr. Dargan, of Ala., introduced a bill to regulate, the issuing and funding of Treasury notes, which was referred to the Committee of Ways and eans,

Mr. Foote, of Tenn., submitted a bill to amended an act entitled an act recognizing the existence of war between the United States and Confederate States, and concerning letters of marque prizes, and prize goods. Referred to Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Russell of Va., introduced a bill to repress the attempts of the enemy to incite servile insurrection. Referred to Judiciary Committee. Also, a bill to prevent the employment of negroes in war against the Confederate States of America. Same reference. Also, a resolution that the Committee the Judiciary inquire into the expediency of inserting a bill to regulate impressments. Agreed to Mr. Boteler; of Va., offered a resolution requesting the President to communicate to this House, if not compatible with the public interests, a copy of the official report recently made by Col. Imbodan of the War Department, in reference to the outrages perpetrated by Gen. Milroy upon the patriotic people of the Northwestern and Valley districts of Virginia. Agreed to.

Mr. Garnett, of Va., offered a resolution that the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to report to this House, as soon as practicable, the amount of Treasury notes, of each class and description, and also the amount of bonds of the Confederate States bearing 8 per cent. interest, and also of like bonds bearing 6 per cent, interest, issued and outstanding on the 13th day of October last, and on the first day of each month thereafter; also, the amount of each class of Treasury notes and bonds issued during each of said months also, at what State the issue of Treasury notes fundable in the 8 per cent, stock ceased, and whether the new issue, authorized by the act of October 13, 1852, shows on a face that it is fundable in 7 per cent. stocks — Agreed to.

Also, a resolution that the Committee on Military Affairs inquire into the expediency of allowing the soldiers commutation for deficiencies in their rations. Agreed to. Also, a resolution that the same committee inquire into the expediency of separating the Paymaster's and Quartermaster's Departments. Agreed to. Also, a resolution that the President be requested to communicate to this force all general orders of impressment, together with the instructions and regulations under the same, recently issued by the War Department or any bureau thereof. Agreed to, Also, a resolution that the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing just compensation to our citizens for their property destroyed or damaged by our army or military authorities. Agreed to.

Mr. Chambliss, of Va. introduced a bill to accept certain persons from enrollment for military service in the army of the Confederate States, and to repeal all former exemption laws passed by the Congress of the Confederate States. Referred to Military Committee.

Mr. Goode, of Va., introduced a bill for the protection of citizens removing their slaves from districts occupied by the enemy to places of greater security; referred to Military Committee. Also, a

resolution that the President be requested to inform this House what progress has been made in the construction of the railroad for connecting the Richmond and Danville with the North Carolina railroads; agreed to. Also, a resolution that the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of regulating by law the subject of impressment so as to secure the owners of private property taken for the use of the Government a fair and just compensation; agreed to.

Mr. Goer of Va., presented a bill directing the Secretary of the Treasury to audit and pay claims for the use and occupation of, and damages to, lands; referred to Judiciary Committee. Also a resolution that the President be requested to furnish the House with information in reference to the disbanding of the 5th battalion Virginia volunteers; agreed to.

Mr. Baldwin, of Va., introduced a resolution proposing modification of the rules of the House. Referred to the Committee on Rules.

A message was received from the Senate communicating the resolutions of that body on the death of Hon. Wm. Ballard Preston, of Va.

Eloquent and touching tributes were paid to the memory of the departed statesman by Messrs. Staples, Lyons, and Goode of Va., Miles of S. C., Perkins of La., and Chilton of Ala.

Mr. Staples offered the following resolutions:

Resolved, That the members of the House of Representatives have received with deep sensibility the message from the Senate announcing the death of the Hon. Wm. Ballard Preston, a Virginia Senator in the Confederate Congress.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be communicated by the Clerk to the family of the deceased.

Resolved, That as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, this House do now adjourn.

The resolutions were adopted, and the House adjourned until 12 o'clock to morrow.