Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-06

ia falling into possession of TIE eAeny Referred.
fliAL or vEDERAL rRisorERs 1T srArs fRisrSLLs.
Mr. SMITH also offered resolution directing the Ju-.
dietary Conmittes ascertain how far it may be prac
tcable 70 administer the Law Affecting the case Of Fed
era officers taken prisoners and transferred for trial TO
State authorities. b.; ~ e. - : -.sE ~
M. DARGAE, of Ala, differed from the President In
thi, single instance The Confederate States are At war
aud not the individual States In some OF the States
there must be radical change Of their constitutions IN
order to eject the purposes Of the President. The act
for which men are punished must be committed IN the
county Of the revue and hence the mPofibty o. ntcting
any puni hment by State authorities. .ci y,
There will never be trial and never an sdninh-
trston of punishment. The States should not be charged
with duty which they cannot perform. The Acensure
will fall upon the States incapable Of INJECTING punish
ment If the design be not TO punish let il be SO pro-
claimed by the Government. Mr.. DARGAS hoped that
this OF the PRECEDENT would not be con-
Cured in by the House
The subject stated to be under consideration oil
the Judiciary Committee. s..-4. Ed. -.t
Mr. T0OTE dissented intoto from the views Of nr.
DARGAS He said that the proposition Of the President
could do no harm But IL the laws Of several States
made the Presidents policy npracticabe be would be
inclined modify his views. The President states that
If Congress do no. differ from him. he will at once prac
tce the policy indicated Hence the necessity for early
action this subject. Mr.. PoorE preferred the policy
Of the President because of its datorines II webe
gin the work of retaliation by putting the officers to
death because Of the wickedness Of Lincons Procama
ton our officers in the hands Of the enemy will be
subjected to martyrdom For this, Mr. FOorE was not
prepared lie would crafty his feelings of resent
nent at such sacrifice. When we have looked cOoly
this there will be found two sides TO it, and the
country will find it a losing game.
Mr.. LYONS of Va, inquired Why Mr.. fo0rE had
changed his opinions TO retAatory measures since
the last session. He then argued that had right
TO turn these prisoners TO another power But is
there any plan of retaliation which is not liable to this
ection? Even the punishment Of Beast Butler might
lead to the evils suggested by Mr. foOrE Shall
solve to adopt retsatoy measures such as
poyed against Pope? Who will be responsible for the
execution of these prisoners by the States The cit
of Virginia not in the army will be made the sub
ects of retaliation. Our officers will be turned over 10
Yankee Federal courts TO be tried traitors, by which
all will be executed Mr. Lyons could not approve the
proposed policy of the President. He thought that
every Yankee caught Southern soil should be put to
DEATH this il his individual opinion but be opposed the
plan of the President.
The resolution nsructing the Judiciary Committee to
inquire into the proposed retslatory policy Of the Pres
dent was then adopted
BUREAU OY TRANSFORMATION.
A bill to establish Bureau OF transportation
referred 10 the Committee the Quartermasters De-
partment.
EXPORT DUTIES.
Mr. AVER of s. c., offered resolution TO instruct
the Committee Ways and Means to inquire into the
expedeucy OF laying an export duty on tobacco aud
naval stores Adopted.
RESOLUTIONS OF THANKS ETC.
Mr. MILES, of s. c., offered the following joint
luton of thanks
Resolved That the thanks of Congress be hereby tenn
dered Capt Duncan n Ingiahsm Of Confederate States
Navy aud officers and of his command, for their
gallant and successful attack spon the blockading feet
OF the enemy of the harbor of Charleston by which
the feet was partially destroyed and entirely dispersed
and the blockade Of that important port egtlnstely
raised
He also Offered similar resolution relative TO Lest
Col Yates, etc, for the capture OF Federal gunboat
on Stone river.
The resolutions appropriately referred.
He also offered resolution inslructing the Judiciary
Committee TO inquire into the necessity Of paying for
slave. lost while employed by the Government
A,o resolution affecting Naturalization Laws
and another n,tructing the Committee Commerce
to INQUIRE into the necessity OF amending Nsviga
lions acts these affect coastlng trade The said
resolutions were adopted.
INHALATION.
Mr. FO0TE offered resolution directing the Judi
cary Committee to enquire whether it is not eIpedent
TO dissent from the retaatory mode of pu shment pro-
posed by the President lie stated that our enemies
deserved any punishment that we might infict upon
them but that the proposed policy Of the President
unjust to those Of soldiers and citizens 10 the
hands of the enemy. That We should reuounce the
policy of retaliation altogether perhaps and that he
would not hereafter reproach himself with suherngs in
Hcted upon our officers and men in consequence OF the
action of this House. We have friends in the North
West in New Jersey and elsewhere who BY the propos
ed policy would be converted into bitter enemies The
resolution was adopted.
VARIOUS SUBJECTS.
Mr F00TE offered a resolution OF enquiry relative 10
the indennfcltiOn Of cotton planters and others who
have destroyed their property to prevents its falling into
hands of the enemy.
in transportation Southern railroads lie read let
ter from the Rev. C. X. Marshall, which stated that
negligence and waste rule the hour in Mississippi and
also that corn aud meal wasted every where well
as sugar and moases aud yet We have no care, no en-
ergy displayed The whole system of transportation
must be changed Ii Yicksburg fall il will be because
of the Encouragement aud ineilciency Of officers.
Mr. DAVIS, of Miss. moved that the inquiry OF the
Committee be extended to that portion Of the Mobile
and Ohio railroad from Meridian TO okolona in the
State of Mississippi
Mr.. MILES suggested that special Committee be
appointed TO investigate these abures in the tr.nspora
tOn department.
Special Committee for these investigations was Or
dercd.
Mr. SWAN, of Tenn offered bill imposing an eI-
port duty upon cotton and tobacco shipped in vessels OF
government that has recognized this Confederacy.
Mr. HEISKELL, of Tenn, offered resolution relative
to the act to award medals to soldiers for g.ntry and
good conduct Adopted.
Mr. JONES, of Tenn, offered resolution looking to
increased compensation Of mail agents Referred 10
Co mmittee on Post Offices and Post Roads.
Leave of absence was granted TO Messrs. Swan aud
Heiske who go Tennessee, to confer with the Gov
ernor of that State TO tho mode Of preserving the
Constitutional Government of Tennessee.
nus CURRENCY.
Mr.. RUSSELL of Va. offered bill 10 restrict the |
issue of Treasury notes which referred. He also
submitted an amendment 10 tue lmpressmeat bill, |
which was referred
the Posr oFFIcE DEPARTMENT.
Mr. BALDWIN offered resolution directing the Com,
mittee on F. o. F. Roads to inquire into the necessity
of reducing the expenses of T. D. Department by sbo
ishing the Department. lie said be was serious and /
wished another mode Of transporting letter. and papers
adopted He could rhy the Government should
convey letters and not al other (reighls lie would pre-
fer private Express Companies Ne confidence could be
reposed in the present mode Of transportation
was no remedy losses The constitution requires the
p H. General to keep ito expenses within lie revenues,
and there was no other mode OF doing il by the