Confederate States Congress.
Thursday, March 21.
Senate--The senate met at 2 o'clock and was called to order by Mr. Bunter of Va. Frayer by Rev. Mr. Solomon, of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Caperton, by leave, introduced a bill conferring temporary rank and command the officers of the C. S. A., in the bureau of the Quartermaster General, Commissary General, and sureson General, which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Sparrow from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill to Messere the efficiency of the Medical Department, reported it with amendments, and the bill and amendments were ordered to be printed.
Mr. Brown, from the Committees on Naval Affairs.
reported a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to pay officers of the navy their necessary and actual traveling expenses under orders, in of mile are in certain cases with an amendment.
The amendment being agreed to the bill was passed, the title being altered so as to read "an act to increase the allowance for mileage to officers of the navy in certain cases"
Mr. Brown from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred the mem state of acting masters'mates in the Confederate States navy, praying for an increase of pay, reported a bill to increase the pay of masters mates in the navy, which being read the req number of times, was passed.
Mr. Oldham, from the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, reported a bill to exempt contractors for carrying the mails of the Confederate States and the drivers of post-coaches and from military service, which was read twice and ordered to be placed on the calendar.
On motion of Mr. Orr the Senate resolved into secret regidative reason.
House of Representatives.--House met at 11 o'clock and was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Peterkin.
The Chair laid before the House a message from the President, in which was transmitted a communication from the Secretary of War in response to the House resolution inquiring whether official notice has been given to the proper officers of the previsions of "an act to protect the rights of owners of slaver taken by, or employed in, the army.
The papers were laid on the table.
A Senate bill to provide tobacco for the army, was referred to the Military Committee.
Senate bill for the relief of the Brunswick and Albany Railroad company, in the State of Georgia, was referred to the Committee on Claims.
The Joint Resolutions of the Senate relating to the production of provisions were returned from the Senate, that body disagreeing to an amendment made by the House.
On motion of Mr. Chilton, of Ala., the House receded from its amendment.
The following preamble and resolution, offered by Mr. Carry, of Ala, were adopted:
Whereas the President, by proclamation, has get apart Friday, the 27th day of March, as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer and invited the people of the Confederate States to repair to their usual places of p worship, and to join in prayer to Almighty God that He will continue his merciful protection over our cause; that He will scatter our enemies, and set at naught their evades gas, and that He will graciously restore to our beloved country the blessings of peace and its ty; and the House of Representatives desire publicity to testify its sense of dependence on God.
and its trust in Him as our refuge and strength in this time of peril and danger: Therefore,
Resolved That in order to unite with our fellow citizens in this observance of the day, this House when it adjourns to-day will adjourn to meet on Saturday next.
Mr. Gartrell, of Georals, offered a substitute for the resolution of Mr. Corry that the members of the House meet in this Hall at 10½ o'clock, and attend Church in a body.
Not agreed to.
Mr. Boteler, of Va., moved to suspend the rales, with a view to take up and confider the bill reported from the Ordinance Committee, to establish a Nitre and Miring Bureau.
The motion was agreed to and the bill taken up and passed.
On motion of Mr. Foote, of Tenn, the ues were suspended, and the bill to prevent trading with the enemy, and in connection there with, dealing in the paper currency of the United States, was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Cartrell, of Georgia, from be Committee on the Judiciary, moved to suspend the raise to allow him to report back Senate bill to alter and amend an not emitted an act for the sequestration of the senates, property and effects, of alien enemies, and for indemnity of citizens of the Confederate States, and persons aiding the same in the existing war with the United States approved August 30th 1863, and an act altering and amending the same approved on the 13th day of February, 1863.
The bid was considered by the House and agreed to.
The rules were farther suspended, and Mr. Herbert offered the following resolutions, which were referred to the Committee on the Medical Department:
Resolved That the Committee on the Medical Department be instructed to inquire into and report to this House.
- 1st Whether soldiers confined in the several public hospitals, who from wounds received in battle, or from ease and infirmity of any kind, are now, and likely to be hereafter, incapable of further service in the army, within a reasonable time he discharged from the army.
- 2d. Whether soldiers disabled in the public services and likely to continue for duty are not detained at unnecessary expense in the service and if there grievances shall be found to exist, that the Committee report a bill to the House to remedy the evil.
