Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-03-03
CONFEDERATE CONGRESS.
SENATE.

M MONDAY, March I'd, 1863.
SENATE met at IL o'clock, NJ Mr. HUNTER of Va,
President pro TEN. in the Chair.
PUBLICATION oY THE LAWS
On motion OF Mr.. SPARROW, of La tho Comr;,,oo
on the Judiciary was instructed TO inquire into tha
diency of increasing the compensation now allowed nv
law Tor the puohcaion OF the laws in newspapers
ARTILLERY COAST DEFENCE
On motion of Mr. ORR the Senate bill to increase tho
strength and efficiency of heavy artillery in South Car
olins, for coast Defence was taken up and passed.
NAVIGATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
Mr. OLDHAM, of Texas, from the Committee,ot
Commerce. to whom referred joint resolution rel.
alive the free navigation Of the Mississippi river
ported back the same with the following substitute
Whereas it is well settled and recognized rule OF
international law that the right of navigating for
mercial purposes, river which flows from one State
through the territory of another State into the sea-
into the territory of third State is common to all the
nations nhabiting the different parts OF its banks the
exercise of which right only be eectuay secured
by mutual convention regulating the same that the ORR
gin of this right is natural and not conventional and
cannot be refused shacked by regulations not
cesay for the peace safety of the inhabitants as to
render its exercise impraccable without gross injury
to the State affected thereby. And Whereas The
States of Alabama Louisiana, and Mississippi respec-
lively, through their sovereign conventions have, by
ordinance recognized the right of the navigation OF the
Mississippi river and its tributaries free to all friendly
people living upon the same ARd Whereas The Pro.
vsonal Congress Of the Confederate States did by an
approved 18th February 1861 declare 'the peace
full navigation of the Mississippi river free to any of the
States upon its borders upon the borders of its nay
gable tributaries " now therefore,
Be IL Resolved by the Congress Of the Confederate
States of Ameried That the Confederate States again
repeat the principles above forth and declare the free
navigation Of the Mississippi river to be the natural right
of the people of all the States upon its banks upon
the banks of its navigable tributaries.
Mr. OLDHAM also presented report from same CON-
mtee setting forth the international law the subject
which together with the preamble and resolution was or
dered to be printed
PAY OF IRREGULAR TROOPS.
Mr. CLAY, of Ala, from the Committee of Military
Affairs reported bill TO pay officers noncommissioned
officers and pryaes not legally mustered into the ser
performed.
FLoGGING IL iHE ARMY.
Mr.. SPARROW, of La. from the same committee
reported back House bill to prohibit the punishment
of soldiers by whipping" with amendment authorz-
ing the punishment Of deserters by imprisonment in
penitentiary.
On motion of DAVIS, of N C., the bill was laid over
for the present.
GENERAL STAFF.
Mr. SPARROW, from the same committee, also re-
ported back House bill relative 70 the general staff with
the recommendation that it pass. The bill was placed
on tho calendar.
NEWSPAPERS FOR SOLDIERS
Mr. OLDHAM, from the Committee Of Postal Affairs,
reported back with amendment the bill to authorize
newspapers be sent to soldiers free Of postage The
bill was placed on the calendar.
THE NPREssNENT BILL.
The Impressment bill was next taken up.
Mr. ORR of S. c. moved that the Senate resolve into
secret session.
Mr. HILL, of Ca remarked that this subject Of reg
ulatng impresmens important than any other
now pending, and demanding prompt action He hoped
therefore, that the Senate would proceedto consider the
bill.
Mr.. YANCEY submitted an amendment TO the bill,
which, on his motion, ordered TO be printed.
MI HILL thereupon Withdrew his opposition to the
motion TO 60 into secret session. ana i1v aos'vu Gas