The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-08-26
CONFEDERATE CONGRESS.

Congress assembled on Monday the 18th inst. Be-
low give portion of the first days proceedings:
In the Senate, II members were present, being
thousand extra copies ordered to be printed. Mr.
ianccy offered resolution prohibiting sessions
Of the Senate except by a two-thirds vote.
In the House of Representatives, after the 2rclimi-
nary business, q number Of important bills were
offered.
Mr Fooe offered bill to provide for raising ad-
dirionl force of 100000 On his own motion it
laid on the table. AIso bill providing an ex-
port duty of 30 per cent cotton and tobacco to aid
III ndrnii! ing the losses of citizens by til" enemy.
Mr GaTtrcll, OF heorGla, offered Il bill making
Treasury Notes legal tender in payment of debts
He desired prompt action and moved that the bill be
made the special order for Tuesday Of next week.
Sir Miles, of ). Carolina, offered bill amend the
Cuuscript Act. II extends the application of the law
10 all citizens under 10 years of age.
Also II bill to punish slaves taken in arms and tho
white men assuming to be their officers 1t provides
that the slaves shall be delivered up to the
authorities of the State in which captured be dis
posed of 10y its laws and the white officers either be
hung also delivered up the State authorities I
Both bills referred to the Committee Military
Affairs.
Mr. Footc, of Tenn offered bill for retaiatorv pur-
poses. Referred to Committee Military Affairs fit
rectcs that the enemy refuse treat our partizan
soldiers A. prisoners, and have also punished innocent
private citizens for their 1t provides that an
q he
10 death II captured. An equal number of prisoners
(oicers to be prcerrcd) taken from the enemy to suffer
the tate Incied on our captured soldiers citizens
Also Il bill for the treatment of captives fit pro
vicS that any officer private captured by our army
who shall have committed any offence pronounced
tc"nious by the laws of the Conedcracy or any State
shall be delivered up for trial
Also bill TO punish negroes in arms TIT prOvidcs
that Federal armies incongruousv composed of white
and black shall be held entitled to the privileges
Of war or to he taken prisoners. OF such NAV be
rod rho cIr1l l.. 1
tiers or publicly sold; and their commanders to be hung
or shot as may be most convenient
Mr Footc, TeSuming, also offered bill to retaate
for the seizure of citizens by the enemy lit provides
that of the prisoners held by US number equal to
that of the citizens seized shall be held as hostages
for their safety and subjected like treatment; any
"hcers civil or military, concerned in their seizure
snail DC imprisoned during the All the bills of
r toote wee on his notion referred to the Military
Committee. - ~
Dir Footc also presented an argumentatfve preamble
NV" ie>oiut'oh IN iavor of open sessions of Congress
ana providing that henceforth a motion to 90 into
$50 session snail require majority vote by yeas
A"u nays Inc resolution was adOpted-56 to IA.
bRANcHs BRIGADE-Gcn. Brauchs n C. Rrigade
was IN the light at Cedar Run between Pone and IoL
90" Oh Tue SIN lnSt and correspondent of the Will
9urnai thus speaks of the part taken by Gen
Branch and his North Carolina troons: = '|'
''The telegraph has, before this carried ,ho -
that General "Stonewall" has again pounced l.
on the enemy and given him good drubbing aGpr
"sNe1e i!'lcn on SATURDAY we came upon his force
about ; o'clock, and about the general enrapemert
began. The fighting spirited on the side Of tho
enemy, they pressing our strongly on the if,
that nothing but our (Branch'S brigade coming IN at
the proper time restored the battle For this
arrival we'll rs for the rim with which the brigade
went INTO action, General Jackson in the presence OF
the whole line, thanked General Branch"
No troops have fought more battles behaved bet
'eF IN This war than those under Gen. l.. OBJ. Branch
&se Jesse j. 1eates Esq. of Hartford county, has
J,, "PPointed by Judge French Solicitor in the LIST