Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-02-27
CONGRESS
OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 20, 1852.
SENATE

4
The Senate met ct IL o'clock n. PRAYER by Rev. N.
HoaE, of the Presbyterian Church. The journal, of
Yesterday, Was read aad approved The record EN-
braces the following committees the part OF the Sen
ate under the solution for the appointment Of certain
JOIN; comniLtees) not publicly announced yesterday,
/ viz:
PRryrIxG.-Messrs PhelAn, Of Miss Hill, Of Georgia,
/ and Clark, Of Missouri.
/ PURLIc BUILDISGs-Nessrs. Burnett Of KY, Baker,
| of Fa and DAVIS, of North Carolina
FLAG AND SEAL-hessrs. Semmes, Of La, Preston, OF
Virginia and Orr, of South Carolina
Mr. BURNETT, Of Kentucky, appeared in bis seat,
and after the reading Of the journal took the oath to
Support the Constitution Of the Confederate States.
MESSAGE TRcM TIE President.
A message from His E1eeIency, the President, by
his private Secretary received and read by the As
sstsns Secretary. The message was published in the
o. motion of MF. HUNTER, of Virginia, it was or
d,ed hA ave hundred extra copies of the meseage be
printed.
On his further notion much Of the message as
frs TO the establishment Of Supreme Court was re-
terred to the Committee on the Judiciary
TIE WAR DEPARTMENT.
Mr.. CLAY, o. Alabama, presened the following bill
spnnementsry 70 al act to establish War Department:
The Congress Of the Confederate States do enact
that aay officer Of the army be appointed Secretary OF
War and enter upon the duties oil that once, ne sha
70, thereby lose his rank in the army but only the pay
and Allowances thereof during the time he is Secretary
Of War and receiving the salary Of that officer"
NJ CLAY said that he did not wish to be understood
ss ring this bill upon any outside suggestion bat he
uhued il after c0rsCltaon with several Senator's who
conquered with him in its proprety. He iels assured
1a was the purpose Of the President 10 cal to bis aid
a the Cabinet the most efficient men, and the design of
-sia bill was simply remove possible objection 10 the
acceptance Of the Office OF Secretary OF War, should II
.. rendered 70 an officer OF the army.
The bill was read third time, and passed.
pRosycUrtoN CT TIE WAR
Mr. sINMS, of KY, submitted the following preamble
sud joint resolutions:
whereas the war in which we are now engaged with
the Government and people Of the late United Safes
sss not provoked nor inaugurated by the Government
~ reonle Of the Confederate Sites, ard is prose-
ud and maintained by them only in yindicaton Of the
agheI, and most sacred rights Of people resolved TO
% free aud indeps ndent. And whereas the r2hi OF
eli government; ard the right TO change alter, or
bosl their form Of government By the people OF these
;,tes and ordau and establish another by their Ru
lori v better calculated promote their happiness
and secure their 5crts rgh.s Inherent and ua'u-
,se AID by them, never surrendered and which tHsy
IN the most solemn manner 90 new pied2e themselves
sssr 10 strrrsadsr And whereas, the war now Naged
,,,inst them IS the WORK Of Northern hnatosm, and
s conceived and is prosecuted Os the sutu i4n
D The people Of these States and thc overthrow OF heir
,oc. and domestic Institutions, sud finally Tor their Gu
Ityeu.n. aad degradation before the civilized world
re T., therefore,
R,ol.s5 BY the Senate and House Of Representa- Ives
5r =, Congress q the C0ucdsrl'c States that tine
.oD,e Of these STATES viii, 60 th' ltst extremity, main
f. aud defend their right 20 sr,i coyctuneut and the
l,vcrppeut ord lei ald established by them, and 10
ts end by their DO hereby NEST solemn
~ yIeds tae las. man ard the last dollar within the
u;,s u tatg Couledsrlcy for the prosecution Of this
var uoti their independence as nation Is recognized
and acknov ed ,sd.
Rs.oggsS g. T6as brave and manly people can
either De appalled, by danger, nor ntim dated by de
E. and that the PEOPLE OF these States E submit TO
ANY acrhcs aud endure any trial however severe, when
these are necessary meats OF escspo ircm subuglion
aud enslEyemsnt Gud 6cmly relying as they do, upon
she Justice OF ;her cause and kumby trusting in tho
provd nee of God they will maintain their position be-
lore the world and high heaven, While they have voice
/ @ raise o. arni TO defend.
Mr. SIHAS said be believed that the time has now
come uben the people Of the Confederate Saes should
declare their purpo 70 stand by her rights TO the las;
extremity He hrd no fears Of the result-here
instance on re.ord OF the sljugation OF se millions Of
brave people resolved to be Tree; but the adoption Of
,bess resolutions now Wouli inspire conf iepce among
she peope aud show to the world that In earnest
&c did not however wish 10 press the resolutions
upon the consideration Of tn Senate and would acqu-
q ee in their reference 10 a committee
On motion OF Mr.. ORR Of S. G the preamble and
rsolut ons were referred the Committee Military
Affairs.
FoREiGN IMPORTS.
On motion Of Mr.. PHELAN, of Aiss, il was
Rssolrsd That the Committee on Coomerce be in
trucei to il qure into the cxpedieucT Of repaliDg all
iutiFs upon iu1orts OF abching all ports Of enIFi OF