Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-01-20
Confederate Congress.

u ~ ~ ~ - - ~ = -
Confederate Congress.
RICHMOND, January -SENATE-But thirteen
Senators present to-day, and there being no quo
rum, they adjourned until tomorrow.
HousE-A quorum being present, the House
Mr.. Curry, of Alabama, was elected Speaker
PRO TEN.
Several bills were introduced for the modif-
cation of the CONSUMPTION law.
Mr.. Perkins introduced resolution approx
ing the conduct of certain citizens of Louisiana
within the enemy's lines.
Mr.. Vest, of Missouri, offered resolution to
place in the military service all citizens of Mary
land resident or sojourning within the Confede-
racy.
Hon. Jno B. Baldwin thought the bill ought
to be extended SO as to embrace all foreigners.
The following is the substance of his remarks as
reported by the Examiner:
Mr.. Baldwin, of Virginia, thought it time to
protest against Richmond being made city of
refuge for foreign adventurers. The bill should
be.extended in its range of operations to the nu-
| merous foreigners who are here from all parts of
| the world, claiming protection for their persons
| and property, getting the benefit of every blow
struck for our independence, and sheItering them
selves from military service under consular pro-
| lection. We had no official notification of such
| Governments as Great Britain and France. He
would have the plough of CONSUMPTION run over
the foreign consuls them ives lie wanted to
see the persons in this city claiming to repre-
sent foreign governments, if within the legal
ages, themselves taken up under the conscrip.
ton act and made to bear a muSket for the
South. II is time that foreign nations should
discover that recognition is game that two can
| play at, and that we owe them no comfy what
/ ever.
/ M ol,k;o That
would consent to no plan of reconstruction or
armstice so long as Lincolns proclamation
stands unrevOked, nor will ever negotiate ex-
cept upon the basis of Unconditional recognition.
| Will never consent to any alliance, commercial
| or otherwise, with the N ew England States, but
would be willing to negotiate with the States
bordering on the Mississippi, which may be
willing to stipulate and enter into an alliance
| offensive and defensive, when parties at the
| North shall overthrow Lincoln's power. Offers
a guarantee to the Northwestern States of the
free navigation of the Mississippi river, whenev-
| er they declare an intention to withdraw from
the war. Presents inducements to States west
of the Rocky Mountains to withdraw from the
Federal Union, &c, all of which were referred.
Mr.. Foote also offered resolution demanding
] an investigation of frauds in flour contracts
| Pending the consideration of which the House
adjourned.
SENATE, Jan 14.-In the Senate, notice was
given by Mr.. Hill, of Ca, of his intention to
call up on Monday next bill for the organiza-
ton of Supreme Court.
i House.-Mr. Foote, Of Tennessee, offered
some resolutions recommending to the President
to withdraw our diplomatic agents from all for
1 egn countries which will not, by the ist of May
next, have agreed to recognize our indepen
dence. Mr.. Foote supported his resolution in
an able speech.
The resolutions were referred to the commit
tee on Foreign Affairs.
| SENATE, Jan. 15.-Mr. Hunter officially an
nounced the death of Hon. VIM Ballard Preston
and offered resolutions in reference thereto.
i Eulogies of the deceased were pronounced by
i Messers Hunter, of Virginia. Henry, Of Tennes
see, Clay, of Alabama, Semmes, of Louisiana
and Wigfall of Texas.
HoUsE.-Mr. Russell, Of Virginia. introduced
a bill to repress the attempt of the enemy to ex
cite servile insurrection also to prevent the
| employment OF negroes in war against the Con
i federate States of America
i The following is copy of this bill:
ssThe Congress of the Confederate States dc
enact, That during the present war every com
missioned officer of the United States who shall
be captured within any of the Confederate States
shall be deemed guilty of an attempt to incte
slaves to rebel against their masters, and shall
suffer the like punishment for that offence as per-
sons convicted of the like offence under the laws
of the States in which he shall be captured.
ssEvery person charged with guilt under the
lpTGCeuluI S6Ct1Ol SNAIL Dc tFl6u Dy d COuEb udT
tial under such regulations the President shall
prescribe.
ssThe President may pardon any person con
| victed under this act upon such conditions as he
may deem proper or Internationally; or he may
commute the punishment at his discretion"
The bill was referred to the Judiciary Com
mittee.
!. Mr.. Baldwin, of Virginia, offered the following
resolutions:
ssResolved, That the Secretary of War be re-
: quested to inform the House whether the BOARD
Of Officers appointed by general orders, No. 90
dated September II, 1862, have reported ga roll
Of merit, based upon examination and testImonl
ais required by said order, andwhether those
who passed the examination at the session of the
i Board continuing on the 26th of September
1862, were arranged for appointments as cap
tains, first and second leutenantS, according tx
merit as was directed by general orders, No II
of September Is, 1862, and whether the appoint
ments of ordnance officers, since made, hay,
been made ssfrom the head of the list,'' as prom
ised IN said last mentioned order, and if not why
not.
ssResolved, also, that the Secretary of War bt
requested to furnish to this House list of tn,
applicants examined by the said Board, showing
the States from which they came, and also thu
roll of merit and report OF standing made By
the Board.''
II SENATE, Jan. 16.--Mr. Sparrow, of Louisiana
introduced some resolutions proposing amend
ments to the Exemption bill.
/ HoUsE.-Mr. Baldwin, of Virginia, called up
resolution offered by him yested day, requesting
, the Secretary of War to inform the House wheth
er the Board of Officers appointed by Genera
Orders, No. 63, dated Sept. II, 1862, have re
ported ga roll OF merit based upon examinati OF
and testimonials as required by said order
&C.. &c. And also that the Secretary of Wa
i be requested to furnish the House with list o.
applicants examined by the said board. TIL
vote being taken, resulted, ayes 80, noes 20.
t Mr.. Baldwin offered resolution, which wal
) agreed to, that the Committee of Ways ant
Means inquire into the expectancy of reporting,
tax bill, to raise during the present year thu
. sum Of one hundred and twelve millions of dol
: lars the tax to be apportioned among the sever
! al States in the ratio Of one million Of dollar
for every representative in this House, and to b
; assessed for each State according to the system
r Of taxation practiced in such.
I Also a resolution, which was adopted, tina
the Committee of Jays and Means inquire int
the expedency of calling upon the several State
of the Confederacy to unite in a joint guarantee
: of the debt of the Confederate States now exs
: ting, or hereafter to be incur red, excepting
from such guaranty all Treasury notes, stock an,
bonds, heretofore issued.
Mr.. Baldwin, of Virginia, introduced bill
f proposing to compel the funding the outstanding
) debt of the Confederate States by the LIST day O
June, 1868, by making Treasury notes fundabl
in bonds at the following rates of interest -
Until the 1st day of July, 1868, at six per cent
year until the LIST day of August, 1863. at fv,
, liner cent. per AMIN until the I at dow of Sap