Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-02-20

on which there are twenty or more Slaves,
Provided the overseer 30 exempted was en-
ployed and acting as an oyerseer on the 10th
of April last, and there is no white male
adult on said farm or plantation who is not
liable to military duty, which facts shall be
verified by the atlidavts of said oyerseer and
two respectable citizens, and shall DO filed
with the enrolling officer"
Pending the question the Ssnate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The House met at IL o'clock. Prayer by
Rev. HENRY A. WISE, JR.
MAJ. F. G. RuFFIs-THE FLOUR CONTRACT.
Mr.. Chiffon, ofAla, from the Committee on
the Quartermaster and Oommissary Depart
ments, to whom was referred resolution Of
the House instructing them to inquire wheth-
er Major Frank G. Rufin has any connection,
official or otherwise, with the making or the
benefits Of the contract of Messrs. Haxall,
Orenshaw j. Co., made for tho supply Of
flour to the Confederate Government, report
ed that the Committee havo had tho same
under consideration, and have instructed lis
chairman to report that, after full and
searching investigation, and an examination
Of all the witnesses who are supposed to be
best acquainted with the facts; and after So
Letting evidence, by giving notice of the timo
and place Of the sessions of the Committee
to all parties concerned, COPIES of which
correspondence, together with memorandum
of the proof, are herewith submitted), the
Committee arrived at the conclusion that Maj.
Frank G. Rufin had NO connection, either
official or otherwise, with the making of said
contract, and no benefits whatever in the
benefits or profits thereof. On the contrary,
the proof conclusively shows that he knew
nothing of the fact that any such contract
was in contemplation until after it was con-
summated, being on furlsugh, by reason Of
sickness, when it was made.
Mr.. FoorE, of Tennessee, said that he did
not suppose that his position was misunder-
stood by any member of this House. lie
had introduced the resolution inQuiring and
looking into the contract for -four Of Messra.
Hsxali, Crenshaw s. Co., and he had had no
reason to regret it. In the progress Of his
remarks on this subject no had stated that he
had learned (he kre,o nothing on the subject,)
that Major Ruffin was in some way connect
cd with the purchase Of flour, or instrument
tal in porfecting tho contract. The Chairman
of the Committee to whom this immediate
matter was referred, land which matter had
nothing, whatever, to do with tho terms Of
the contract for lour,) had informed the
House, that after the most rigid scrutiny, the
committee were induced to believe that Maj
RufIln had nothing Whatever to do with the
contract, and he (Mr. FoorE) was gratiAed,
az all others should be, that the most thor
ough investigation had shown that such a
high minded, intelligent, and honorable gen.
tloman as Maj. Ruffin had no connection
whatever with the Hour contract; knew
nothing touching its merits, had no connec-
ton in framing the contract, or shared at all
in the profits accruing thereffom. lie wished
to express his satisfaction that Maj. Rutlin
stands entirely exempt from censuro OF sus-
picion.
On motion Of Mr.. Chiffon, the report was
laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
GENERAL STAFF OF THE ARMY.
The House took up, and passed q bill to
amend an act entitled can act to establish
general staff of the army Of the Confederate
States.
This bill confsrs the rank, pay and allow
ances of Brigadier General of the army Of
the Confederate States on tho Quartermaster
General.
The bill was passed, yeas SO; nays %.
pEsERTIoNs IN TIE ARMY.
Mr. MILES, from the Committee On Military
Affsirs, reported with Recommendation that
tho same do pass, bill to provide for tho
arrest of soldiers absent from their com-
mands without leave, and to provide compCn-
aation for their capture. Pending tho con
sheraton of this bill, tho House resolved
itself into secret session on tho currency bill.
Adjourned.
Tho reporter for the "Enqniror" is under
many obligations to Mr.. u. II. Wynne, Door
keeper and Sergeant Of the House Of
Representatives for his uniform courtesy and
studied endeayor to add to tho comfort OF
the foporters, and afford to Thorn every facili-
ty in his power, during the acssions Of the
House.