Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-06-04
a Proposition for Peace in the Con-
fedeTatc Congress.

10 ne Coniederate House OF Representatives,
Nay 25d. Mr J. T Leach. Of North Carolina.
submitted the fOllowing preamble and resol utions.
which were read by the clerk. creating quite
sensation on the floor among the privileged seats
and the galleries
Whereas. The unconstitutional enactment Of
laws by the Congress Of the United States upon
subjects Of vital importance 10 the harmony and
independence OF the States the happiness and /
prosperity Of the people the preservation and
perpeiuation OF the Union. against the demands
OF justice, the appeals anu admODitions OF her
best ana wisest statesmen. made it our painful /
duty 10 fan back upon the rights for which the |
colonies maintained the var OF the Revolution, /
and which our forefathers asserted and maintained
70 be clear and inalienable
RESOLVED, bg ne Congress Of tke Confederate /
States. That the delegates from each State act
ing in is sovereign aud independent character. /
iOr the purpose OF adding moral to our physical
force and placing ourselves properly before the
civilized world, do most earnestly appeal 10 the
President. by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate. 70 appoint commissioners whose duty
K shall be 10 propose armistice OF ninety days
to the proper authorities Of the Federal govern
ment, preliminary to negotiation upon State SOW
ereignty and independence; and the said commits
sioners shi all report in writing to the President
the answer received from the Federal govern
ment upon the subject
ResOiUed, That should the peace making pow
er Of the Federal Government accede TO the
proposition tor an armistce of ninety DAYS, the
President be requested TO convene the Congress
Of the Confederate States for the purpose of ap
pointing commissioners. by and with the consent
and advice OF the Senate; and that he be also re-
quested % notify the Executives of the several
States OF the fact, and ask their co operation by
appointing commissioners, either By Legislature
or by convention, 10 cooperate with the com
missioners appointed by the President, and TO
negotiate with the commissioners appointed by
the Federal Government, upon such terms of
peace will be consistent with the honor, dig
nifty and independence of the States, and com
patible with the safety of social and political
rights.
ResOlred. That ia maintaining the rights guar
anteed to by the blood and treasure of our rev
dictionary fathers, and dear at all times To free
men, we desire to be let alone. We take no mans
property; we fight not for conquest, but for our
rights, the independence of the States, our equal
| ,y. our civil and religious liberties
Resoired. That such terms of peace as agreed
TO by the commissioners ought to be indorsed by
the President and Senate, and submitted to the
people for their ratification or rejection
Mr.. Foote, of Tennessee, moved the reference
of the preamble and resolutions 10 the Commit
/ tee on Foreign Affairs
Mr.. McMullen inquired whether the subject of
the resolutions was not proper one for the Sc
cret session
Mr. Leach said he desired It to be discussed in
open session.
Mr.. Conrad rose To point of order 4 rule
was adopted nj the last session, which is still in
| force requiring that all such resolutions be re-
ceived and discussed in secret session
The Speaker said such rule had been adopt
Ell. but that it had special reference to the last
session.
Mr Leach insisted that the Importance of the
question involved in the resolutions should com
mend them to the grayest considerations OF the
body. They were not his views only but the
views OF his constituents. and of good portion
OF the people OF North Carolina
Mr.. A II Garland. of Arkansas. hoped the
gentleman would not proceed until the Chair
had settled the point of order that had been
raised
Mir Foote renewed his motion to refer the res
olutons to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
Mr. McMullen moved 20 Law the resolutions on
the table.
Mr.. Marshall, OF Kentucky. rose TO point OF
order. The gentleman from North Carolina Mr.
Leach had the floor. and he had not Welded il
The gentleman from Kentucky Mr. McMulen)
was usurping the floor.
Mr.. F0Ote didn't want TO cut off any remarks
the gentleman from North Carolina might have
to make in support of his resolutions.
Mr. Leach said the presentment of the resolu-
tons was duty he owed 20 himself and his con
stituents If the House didn't like the resolu-.
tons, il can dispose of hem in any manner that
il sees proper. All he asked was full and i'm
partial hearing; that accorded him and his reso-
| lutions. he would be satisfied.
NJ McMullen Withdrew his motion, and Mr.
/ Heiskell. OF Tennessee, renewed his-the call for
the ayes and nays upon laying the resolutions
the table
/ The yeas and nays were taken and the resolu-
| tons tabled
After short interval. Mr. Conrad. of Loulsi-
ana, rose to personal explanation He had
read over the peace resolutions submitted by the
! gentleman from Worth Carolina (Mr Leach
and be found that they look to separate State
action in the prosecution of peace Taking that
view of them. he could not give them his coun-
/ tenance nor support He asked leave To change
! his vote on the motion TO Law them upon the
table He had voted aye" he would now vote
/ "no"
Mr.. j. T. Leach said he held in his hand the
address of the last Congress to the people of the
Confederate States The principles there an
inundated were embodied almost wholly in these
resolutions.
Mr. Swan Of Tennessee. asked aud obtained
leave to change his vote on the motion 50 lay the
resolutions on the table.
Mr. Read. of Kentucky. moved to reconsider
the vote by which the resolutions were disposed
of so that all the members might exercise their
discretion in voting.
Mr. Marshall. of Kentucky. was for treating
the resolutions of the gentleman from North
Carolina with becoming respect They did not
represent his own views more than the views of
his Congressional district He thinks they are
proper and right, and so think his constituents
The debate soon began TO be somewhat stormy
and personal. and alter much wrangng the
resolutions were tabled by 90 ayes to % noes
Hot Work at Charlest0n-Nevere
fire ef the Enemy-The Monitors
Crippled.
The Nashua Telegraph has letters from on
board the moritor Sfngamon. giving the partic
ulars of the recent bombardment of Fort