Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1864-01-15

reference 10 taxes, increase Of pay OF soldie'5.
facilities If transportation TO soldiers. Ae., all
Of which were appropriately referred.
MIR. llARTRrDGK, OF Ga, Introduced an act
to grant free transportation 80 soldiers On
furl"ugh. Referred
II. W. BRUCE, If Ky, presented let.
ter from gentleman in Mobile, making some
suggestions in relation to the impressment OF
negroes To work on Publications. Referred
to Committee OH Military Affairs.
Mr. CLIFTON, Of Ala, presented sundry
documents relative to the Customs and Public
Lands, communicated by Confederate States
offcers Of those departments in his State,
which w.re referred 10 Committee on WAYS
and Meas.
fIr. II. ". BRUCE, CT KY, offered tie fol-
lowing, \. hch was adopted
Resolved, That the Committee On Military
Affairs l.. instructed to inquire into the pro-
prety of giving adjutants Of regiments the
rank and pay of captains of the line, anu as
such putting in regular line Of promotion; and
that said committee also inquire into tho pro-
priety of increasing the rank and pay ct ser
geauts major Of regiments TO q: least that oi
caCets.
Mr.. DUpRE, Of La. offered the following
resolution, which was adopted
Resolved That. the President be requested
% inform The House what amount Of money
has been ferwa .ded the Trans Mississippi De-
partment since TIE last adjournment of Con-
cross. and also whether any measures have
been taken 10 adjust the numerous claims
against the Government, Arising from I'M
.pressments of property in Louisiana in disrc-
gard Of tho provisions Of the impressmeut
law, and where no compensation Or payment
was made to the owners.
Mr.. WELSH, FROM Mississippi, presented
resolutions Of the legislature Of that State,
looking 20 the relief, by Congress, OF certain
counties Of that State, which are unable by
the accidents Of war to bear tho tax IN KIND
With comfort, and recommending communication
in money, which the Inhabitants are willing
and anxious to pay. Referred to the Commit
tee on Ways end Means.
Mr.. FooTE presented the following letter
from Dir. Kei:oy, Delegate in tie Virginia
Legislature, from the city Of Petersburg:
RICHMOND, Jan. G. 1864.
Hon. II. s. F6ote
Permit Ile to call The attention Of the House
Of Representatives, through you, to very re-
markmhl3 oversight, ~ it seems to me, III the
financial legislation, or practice respecting
duties, whereby the revenue from imports Is
received in treasury notes Instead OF specie
The transactions If our blockade commerce
are conducted in specie, sterling, or products
easily and prctitabIy convertible into specie,
and The returns are so enormous that there
| lRs never been time when IL would have
been O hard stress to have required tar
higher tariff than onr own IN specie. Inc
stock Cf most Of these companies command
IN enormous; rrcn)ium--0rc in my own city,
whose par value was $500, selling now Tor
81 600 and kell at IS ,O0u; and their revenues
exceed any historical instance o! profitable
Investment Why, then, should We depart
from the standard which, in peace times, and
with regular profits. WIS thought JUST, ana
was easily and cileer!uiy borne:
The great public inicrcct concerned in this
matter will excuse trust, this intrusion OF
| u stranger.
You may mako any disposition Of this note
| which will best serve The purpose OF cn!llng
attention to this evil.
Very respectfully,
Your friend and follow -citizen,
A. NJ. Kelley.
Mr.. FooTE then offered the following, which
was adopted:
Resolved That the Committee OH Ways and
Means be instructed to enquire into the expos
dency Of go amending the revenue laws as to
subject goods received during the existing block
ale, from abroad, to the pEymen: Of duties in
specie.
Mr. HILToN, of Florida, from the Committee on
Military Affairs. reported a bill 10 increase the
rank AMI pay Of a1iH:ants OF independent bat
talions, to tho rank and pay of captains OF GAYS
airy.
Mr. BRYCE, Of kentucky, moved to amend by
inserting the words land they shall be in regu-
| lar line of promotion, KS officers of the line"
Mr.. Chiffon. Of Alabama, moved to amend by
giving them the pay and allowances, without
the rank, aud place Them in the line of promo
| ton.
| Mr.. JONES, O Tennessee. moved to lay the bill
| AMI amendments on Tho table.
Pending the discussion Of the bill, tbs House
went into secret session.