The
Senate yesterday was opened with prayer by
the Rev. Mr. Langhorne, of the Methodist Church.
Mr. Sparrow presented a communication from the
General officers of the Army of East Tennessee, relative to the legislation of Congress to secure the increased efficiency of the army.
Referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Caperton, of
Va., offered a resolution, which was adopted, that the
Committee on the Judiciary inquire what salary is payable to the
Judges of the
Confederate Courts in
Va., by reason of the 2d section of the act of Congress entitled "An act to establish the
Judicial Courts of the
Confederate States of America," approved March 16, 1861, and the late act of the General Assembly of
Va., by which the salaries of the
Judges of the Supreme Court of Appeals have been increased from $3,000 to $5,000; and to report a bill for such increase of the salaries of the said
Confederate Courts in
Va., as shall make their salaries equal to those paid under said act of the General Assembly to said
Judges of the Superior Court of Appeals of Va.
Mr. Caperton presented a memorial of the
Va., Volunteer Navy Company, praying an amendment of the law creating the
Volunteer Navy, and also asking an appropriation of money to aid in the purchase and equipment of vessels.
Referred to the
Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. Clay, from the
Committee on Commerce, to whom had been referred the
Florida resolutions, relative to the exportation of cotton and the importation of foreign articles, reported a bill to impose regulations upon the foreign commerce of the
Confederate States, and to provide for the common defence.
Also, a bill to prohibit the importation of luxuries, or of articles not ne-
cessaries as of common use; and, also, a bill to establish a bureau of foreign supplies.
Mr. Caperton, from the
Committee on the Judiciary, reported a bill, which was passed, staying the sequestration of certain property donated by
James F. Sheppard, an alien enemy, for the support of his relatives,
Wm. M. Bowles,
Richard Bowles, and other citizens of Va.
Mr. Hill, from the
Committee on the Judiciary, reported favorably upon the resolutions of the General Assembly of the
State of Ga., asking that the impressing officers in that State liable to military service be conscribed, and their places filled by citizens of the various impressment districts who were not liable to military service.
On motion of
Mr. Sparrow, the Senate resolved itself into secret session.
The
House was opened at 11 o'clock with prayer by
Rev. Dr. Edwards.
Mr. Clopton, of
Ala., offered a resolution that the Committee of Ways and Means be directed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing commutation of the tax in kind in cotton by the payment of money, or prescribing the manner in which the cotton shall be prepared for delivery in cases in which the tenth of the cotton made is not sufficient to make a bale.
Mr. Collier, of
Va., offered a resolution that the
Committee on Printing inquire into and report a list of reports of battles now in the hands of the
Public Printer ordered to be printed by the
House.
Mr. Hartridge, of
Ga., offered a resolution adopted by the Legislature of Georgia requesting the establishment of a certain mail route in that State.
Mr. H. W. Bruce, of
Ky., offered a resolution that the
Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the propriety of giving adjutants of regiments the rank and pay of captains of the line, and as such putting them in regular line of promotion; and that said committee also inquire into the propriety of increasing the rank and pay of sergeant-majors of regiment to at least that of cadets.
Mr. Foote, of
Tenn., offered a resolution that the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the revenue law as to subject goods received during the existing blockade from abroad to the payment of duties in specie.
Mr. Trippe, of
Ga., submitted resolutions adopted by the Legislature of his State with reference to the discrimination made in the per diem pay of detailed volunteers, where by volunteer soldiers receive a smaller remuneration than other detailed persons.--Referred to the Military Committee.
Also, a resolution requesting the action of Congress for the relief of indigent soldiers families; which was referred to the same committee.
Also, a number of other resolutions adopted by the
State of Georgia; which were appropriately referred.
Mr. Hartridge, of
Ga., introduced an act to grant free transportation to soldiers on furlough.
Referred to the Military Committee.
Mr. Chambliss, of
Va., introduced a bill to explain the act to levy taxes for the common defence, and carry on the
Government of the
Confederate States.
Approved April 24th, 1863.
Mr. Gartrell, of
Ga., from the Judiciary Committee, reported a bill to authorize the suspension of the writ of
habeas corpus, which was read a first and second time and placed upon the calendar.
The following is a copy of the bill:
The Congress of the Confederate States do enact, That during the present invasion of the
Confederate States, the
President shall have power to suspend the privilege of the writ of
habeas corpus in any city, town, or military district, whenever, in his judgment, the public safety may require it; but such suspension shall apply only to arrests made by the authority of the Confederate Government or for offences against the same.
- Sec. 2.
The President shall cause proper officers to investigate the cause of all persons so arrested, in order that they may be discharged if improperly detained, unless they can be speedily tried in due course of law.
- Sec. 3.
This act shall continue in force for thirty days after the next meeting of Congress, and no longer.
Mr. Dupre, of La, offered a resolution, which was agreed to, that the
President be requested to inform this
House what amount of money has been forwarded to the Trans Mississippi Department since the last adjournment of Congress, and also whether any measures have been taken to adjust the numerous claims against the
Government, arising from impressments of property in
Louisiana, in disregard of the impressment law, and where no compensation or payment was made to the owner.
On motion of
Mr. Jones, of
Tenn., the
House went into secret session.
