The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-02-25
coNFEDERArE CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.

/ = CONFEDERATE CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
On Tuesday the 18th instant, the first Congress
of the Permanent Government of the Confederate
States was organized in Richmond. As a matter
of great importance connected with the history OF
our new Government, we copy the following ac-
count of the proceedings of the day from the
Richmond Dispatch:
Long before the hour arrived large crowd
had assembled at the Capitol to witness the inau-
curation of the Permanent Government of the
Confederate States, in the convocaton and organi-
cation of the Congress. The hall of the
House of Representatives, for half an hour pre-
vious to the tap of the Speakers's gavel was a
conn lete iam the crowd consisting of the men,
bers elect, the members Of the Virginia Legisa-
ture citizens, and last, though not least, con-
siderable number of lades-all anxious to wit
ness the proceedings incident to occasion so
interesting, aud yet so solemn and impressive.
! Dense as was the throng, and meagre as the ac-
Communications were, there was not the slightest
demonstration of disorder, and everything passed
off quietly:
SENATE. ..
TUESDAY, Feb. Is, 1862.
The Senate convened at noon. The Vice Presi-
dent elect of the Confederate States, Hon. A II.
Stephens, in the Chair.
The Vice President under the authority of the
Constitution, formally opened the session of the
Senate. He called the attention of Senators to
the published acts passed by the Provisional Con-
gress and caused the temporary clerk to read the
last clause of the permanent Constitutions also,
the act of the Provisional Congress putting in
operation the permanent Government of the Con-
federate States, and the act supplemental to the
same.
The roll being called, the following Senators
answered to their names ::
Arkansas-Mr Mitchell and Mr johnson.
Florida-Mr Maxwell and Mr. Baker.
Georgia-Mr H!!l.
Kentucky-Mr Simms.
Louisiana-Mr Sparrow.
Mississippi-Mr Brown.
Nissouri-Mr Clark and Mr. Pcyton.
North CaroliLa-Mr Davis and Mr. Dorteh.
South Carolina-Mr Barnwel and Mr. Orr.
Tennessee-Mr Hayes and Mr. Henry.
Texas-Mr Oldham.
Eirginia-Mr Hunter and Mr. Preston.
Nineteen Senators being present Ga quorum)
the oath to support the Constitution was then
administered. The Senators taking the oath In
parties of four at time.
The Vice President announced that the first
business before the Senate was the election Of u
President of the Senate pro temp0re.
MIR Davis, Of North Carolina, moved that the
Hon NJ Il Hunter, of Virginia, be unanimously
chosen President of the Senate pro tenpore-
Carried.
The election of Secretary of the Senate being
in order the following nominations made:
Mr. Sparrow, of Louisiana, nominated Richard
Charles Downs, of Louisiana.
Mr. Clark, of Missouri, nominated Andrew
Fl Dawson, of Alabama.
Mr. Oldham, of Texas, nominated J johnson
Hooper, Of Alabama.
Mr. Preston, of Virginia, nominated John L
Eubank, of Virginia.
MIR Barnwelr, of South Carolina, nominated
James ii Nash, of South Carolina.
The first ballot resulted as follows: Dawson g.;
Nash, 4; Hooper, 4; Eubank. 2; Downs, =; Mon
tague, l. No candidate having majority.
-Four additional ballots were had without an
election.
The following was the result of the sixth and
last ballot, in detail:
For Mr. Nash-Messrs Barnwel, Baker, Brown,
Clark, Haynes, Henry, Hill, Hunter, Orr, Preston,
and Simms-ll.
For Mr. Hooper-Messrs Davis, Maxwell,
Mitchell, Oldham, Peyton, and Sparrow-6.
For Mr. Dawson-Messrs johnson and Dortch
=
James H Nash, of South Carolina, having a
majority of the votes cast was declared the Sec
rotary of the Senate, and came forward and was
duly qualified.
On motion of Mr. Orr, the Senate proceeded to
the election of Doorkeeper.
Two ballots were had the last resulting in the
election of Mr. James Page, of North Carolina.
During the ballotins, Mr. Wigiall, the Senator
from Texas, appeared in his seat and subsequently,
took the oath.
On motion of Mr. Orr, the daily hour for the
meeting Of the Senate was fixed at II o'clock, NJ.