Confederate Congress.
Senate.
Tuesday, November 29, 1864.
The Senate met at 12 o'clock M. Prayer by the Rev. M. D. Hoge, of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Maxwell, of Florida, introduced a bill, which was referred to the Naval Committee, to allow commutation and allowances to naval storekeepers.
Mr. Johnson, of Missouri, offered a resolution, which was agreed to, instructing the Finance Committee to inquire into the expediency of allowing each government clerk and employee in the city of Richmond to purchase one ration from the Commissary of Subsistence.
The Finance Committee were discharged from the further consideration of the resolution relative to old issue notes in the hands of prisoners, the subject being already provided for by bill.
Mr. Semmes, from the Finance Committee, reported a bill declaring that the value of the tax in kind, in case of disagreement between the assessor and taxpayer, shall be determined by disinterested referees of the vicinage.
The bill was ordered to be printed.
Mr. Walker, of Alabama, from the Judiciary Committee, reported a substitute for the bill to prevent lawlessness and to punish lawlessness.
The substitute, which was ordered to be printed, requires the President to strike from the rolls and cause to be conscribed any army officer who shall, in violation of law, either impress any property or require it to be done.
A bill providing that four per cent. bonds and certificates therefore shall be receivable in payment of the tax on income and profit for the year 1864, and the tax on salaries for said said year, except the tax accruing under the "act to raise money to increase the pay of the soldiers," was considered and passed.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill to amend the act to increase the efficiency of the army by the employment of negroes in certain capacities; and on motion, by Mr. Sparrow, it was recommitted to the Military Committee.
The joint resolutions of Mr. Henry, of Tennessee, 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, were taken up as the special order.
Mr. Henry addressed the Senate at length upon the resolutions; after which, on motion of Mr. Haynes, of Tennessee, they were referred to-the Committee on Foreign Relations.
On motion, by Mr. Haynes, the Senate adjourned.