Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-03-10
Congress-.

OENATE, rep. Eo.-Ihe Senate was not IN SeS-
sion to day
HousE.-The House passed joint resolution
of thanks to General john IL. Morgan and his
command, for services in Kentucky and Tennes-.
see, immediately preceding the battles before
MnrfreeSbtro. A resolution to adjourn on the
10th of March was laid upon the table. Nj.
Barksdale introduced bill 10 authorize a sus-
pension OF the writ OF ha6eas corpus, which
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. Chambers introduced a bill 10 increase the
compensation OF females employed in the Treas
ury department to five dollars per diem. Refer
red to the Committee on Ways and Means. Itis
quite likely that the bill will eventually pass
though there are hundreds of ladies in the city,
employed in sewing day and night for the Cloth
ing Bureau for mere pittance, who would gladly
accept the ssgenteeP position of note-si sners for
the compensation now allowed. The considera-
ton of the Currency bill was resumed in secret
session.
SENATE. MONDAY, March g.
ARTILLERY FOR COAST DEFENCE.
On motion Of Mr.. Orr, the Senate bill to in
crease the strength and efficiency of heavy artil-
lery, in South Carolina for coast defence, was
taken up and passed.
NAVIGATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
Mr.. Oldham, of Texas. from the Committee of
Commerce., to whom was referred Joint reSolu-
ton, relative to the tree navigation of the Mis-
sissippi river, reported back the same with the
following substitute g44tat4 .t+
Whereas, it is we'll settled and recognized
rule Of international law that the right OF nayi-
eating for commercial purposes, river which
flows from one State through the territory of an
otner State into the into the territory of d
third State, is common TO all the nations lnhabi-
ting the different part, of its banks the exercise
of which right Can only be- effectuaily secured by
mutual convention regulating the same that the
origin OF this right Is natural and not convention
ai and cannot De refused or so shackied by reg
ulations, not necessary for the peace or safety
OF the inhabitants to render Us exercise I'M
practicable. without gross injury to the State af
fected thereby. Ana, Whereas, The States of
Alabama, Louisiana, ,and NJ Mississippi respectively.
through their sovereign conventions, have, by
ordinance, recognized The right OF the navigation
OF the Mississippi land its tributaries,
alt friendly people living upon the same; And,
Whereas, The Provisional Congress Vt the Con
tederate States did, by act approved 18th OF
February, 1861, declare .sthe peac full navIga-
slon OF the Mississippi river, free TO any OF the
States upon It's borders, or upon the borders OF
its navigdole tributaries ~ now therefore,
Be II Resolved b. the Congress Of the Confed-
crate States oi America, That the Confederate
States again repea. the principles above set forth
and declare the tree navigation oitha Mississippi
river to be the natural rignt of the people OF all
the States upon its banks, or upon the banks OF
Its naviga able tributaries. ot
Mr.. Oldham also presented report from same
committee setting forth the international law on
the subject, when, together with the preamble
and resolution was ordered TO be printed.
PAY OF IRREGULAR TROOPS. -.
Mr.. Clay, of Ala from the Committee of NIL
itary Affairs reported bill to pay officers, non
commissioned officers and privates, not legally
mustered into the service of the Confederate
States, Tor services actually performed.
FLoGGING IN THE ARMY.
Mr.. Sparrow, of La, from the same committee,
reported back House bill ssto prohibit the pun
jshment o. soldiers oy whipping" with IN amend
ment authorizing the punishment OF deserters by
Imprisonment in penitentiary.
On motion of Davis, OF N. C., the bill vas laid
over for the present.
THE IMPRESSMFNT BILL. Y
The Impressme1t bill was next taken up.
Mr.. Orr, of S. c.. moved that the Senate re-
solve into secret session.
Mr.. Hill, oil Ga, remarked that this subject OF
regulating impressments was more important
than any other now pending, and demanding
prompt action. He hoaed therefore. that the
Senate would proceed to consider the bill.
Mr.. Yaneey submitted an amendment to the
bill which, on his motion, was ordered to be
printed.
Mr.. Hill thereupon withdrew his opposition to
the motion TO go into secret session, and the mo-
tion was then agreed to.
HOUSE, March B.
TROOPS FROM STATES OCCUPIED BIZ THE ENEMY.
The Speaker announced the first business in
order to be the bi IL to authorize the acceptance
of troops from Missouri and Kentucky for a term
Of service less than three years, reported back
from the Military Committee Friday, with
motion that the Committee be discharged from