Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-23
CONFEDERATE CONGRESS.
SENATE.

The Senate met at Il O'Clock, A. Nj. Prayer by Rev.
VIM II. Christian, Of the Methodist Church Union Sta
tom
Various bills communicated from the House of Rep
resentatves read by their titles and appropriately
referred
Mr. SIMMS of KY, introduced resolution relative
to the treatment Of prisoners of war by the authorities
of the United States. The resolution directs nves
ration &C. be made into the truth of Gel tain represen
tatous Of the ireatment Of prisoners Of by being
confined in prisons where persons were at the time sick
with smallpox, &c.
The resolution was referred to the Committee of
Military Affairs.
ASSISTANT ENGINEERS THE NAVY.
Mr. BROWN, from the Committee of Naval Affairs,
reported bill to increase the pay of sd Assistant Ea
gneers Of the Navy, which was read and passed.
FORGING AND CONTEMPLATING.
Mr.. HILL, from the. Committee of the Judiciary,
norted back the House bill 10 punish forgery and
terieiting. Placed on the calendar
POSTAGE oS NEWSPAPERS.
Mr. OLDHAM, from the Committee of Postal Affairs,
repored back House bill to prescribe the rate of post
age on newspapers, &c. The bill was passed.
TIE REVENUE SERVICE.
Mr.. CLAY, from the Committee Of Commerce, re-
norted back adversely the House bill relating TO the
nav of officers of the revenue service. The bill was
placed on the calendar.
FLAG OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES
Mr. SENMES, of La from the Joint Committee of
Flag and Seal reported bill to establish the flag OF
the Confederate States which was read and passed
THAT the flag of the Confederate States shall be
follows: white field with the battIe'fag for union
which shall be square, and occupy twothirds OF the
width of the flag and blue bar, onethrd OF the nag
in its width, dividing the field lengthwise"
SICK AND WOUNDED oFFICEBS
Mr. SIMMS, of KY, from the Commftee Of Hosp
tails reported back House bill &C. allow hospital accom-
10 read
and passed.
INPREssMLNT OF RAILROADS.
The bill to provide for the mpressment of railroads
coming up as the order Of the day, was on motion of
Mr.. SPARROW, pos poned until tomorrow.
PAY OF DETAILED SOLDIERS
Mr. SPARROW, from the Committee of Military At
fairs reported back bill TO pay soldiers detailed, in
certain cases. 50 per dem in lieu of all other compen
sation, which, after debate, was passed.
THE INPRESsNENr ACT.
The bill introduced yesterday, by Mr.. WIGFALL, to
amend the act regulating Improvements was taken up.
Mr. WIGFALL sent letter to the Secre tary's desk,
which was read follows:
Capt. R. P. ARCHER, A. O. NJ, Richmond:
Dear Sir-Yeserday, had arbitrated the price to be
paid Miller w. Michaux, for seventythree bales clover
hay, by George Y Bradley and John n Woodfn, arbi-
traitors. Acopy of their award l enclose DR.. Michaux
declined to act and selected Mr. Bradley on behalf of
the Government. And, have the NAV say, melan-
choy duty to report you that they assessed his hay
at twenty dollars per hundred, delivered on the river
This the first hay have had arbitrated and if this
price to be looked TO and repeatedn future references
for forage in this county and other counties the debt
incurred by the Government sustain the army will
reach to such an enormous figure as fear, may en-
danger its ultimate payment. Further comment from
Inc will be unnecessary, and, perhaps out of place.
send you the copy thus early that il may through you
receive consideration at headquarters Perhaps some
further action on their part may be necessary and pro-
per. Mr.. w. W. Mchaux present at the arbitration.
Let me hear from youn this respect soon possible
Very respectfully,
E. G. MosBY, Agent
The question Of the passage of the bill then put,
and decided in the armative-yeas lS nays g. Messrs.
| CAPERTOS, HAYNES and HUNTER
! Mr. CAPERT0N said that his vote was controlled by
instructions from the Legislature of Virginia. The
same explanation applies to the vote Of his colleague
Mr.. HUNTER