Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-02-04
THE REBEL CONGRESS.
,osAL mo- EMrLoY NkaRogs.

The motion agreed TO and Tho bill taken'up. 1t
provides that all male free negroes between the ages OF
eighteen and fifty years shall be held liable to perform such
duties in the army in connexon with The military de-
fences Of the country the way OF work upon the FORTH
cations in Government works for the production pre-
paraon Of material Of or in mi ltary hospitals as the
Secretary OF War may from time to time PRESCRIBE TO
ratons clothing and eleven dollars per month for
such services 1t also provides for the employment Of
slaves for the purposes and upon the same terms
the event of the loss any such slaves the owners
to be entitled to their full value and the Score
ay of War is authorized to impress slaves in the event
that he shall be unable to procure their services in any
military department in sufficient numbers for the necessi
ties of the department.
Mr. GARDEsHER of Tennessee, inquired of the chair
OF the Military Committee whether in that bill
passed. it would not be recognising LncOns right to
conscribe negroes.
Mr. MILES replied he surprised at such ques-
ton. We had right to do what we pleased with our
slaves, and Lincoln had no control over them.
Mr.. FooTE OF Tennessee, said that difficulty occurred
to his mind in relation to the question of exchange Sup
pose any Of these negroes to to be taken prisoners
what would be done with them? He approved the object
of the BILL and should support it, but the question he pro-
posed suggested to bis mind difficulty in the way.
Mr. MILES replied that that question had not been con-
sdeed by the committee and he did not think proper to
embarass the bill by the suggestion of any feature in
gard toit 1t was question that might arise hereafter,
and be left the of exchange to settle
Mr.. BoULDIN, of Virginia, moved to amend the first
section of the bill by adding and free negro engaged
in the production of food and forage shall be taken under
this tct."
Mr. BALDWIN said that exemption law which had
passed by Congress provided for the exemption of the
producing class OF the country The only exemption they
had made and founded altogether upon the idea Of
police 1t the section that he represented the entire agr
cultural interest conducted by white people and free
negroes, although it slavehOding community. He
had it from good authority, that the operation of the sub
stute law would reduce Thousand farms from the pro-
ductOn of surplus OF food and forage for the army down
to sufficient quantity to supply the families OF the agr
cultursts The Valley of Virginia the great granary
of Virginia supply the army of Virginia The farmers
there selling their personal property and hiring
out their slaves and preparing to go into the army under
the provisions Of the bill Whatever its effect might be in
bringing in skukers in other portions of the country in bis
district it called away from home men engaged in business
every blow at which blow at the Confederate States
1t had swept through his district Ike tornado of destruc
ton Slaves had escaped to the Yankees and farmers had
supplied their places by free negroes thus making useful
class hitherto useless And here comes bill which
proposes take away every free negro between the ages
of eighteen and fifty years. and free negroes in advance
of slaves. In districts of the State you might
take every white man, and the women could conduct
the operations of the slaves but in his district if the
white aud free negroes we're taken, 1t would
stop agricultural operations altogether He thought it
time to husband and not make any further
drain upon the agricultural resources OF the country The
great question not the number of men, but how to
supply food and forage for the army The supplies
already scant enough and taking away those who
would make them greater and placing them among those
who scanty supplied 1t seemed that there
sort of stampede upon this subject both in and out
of Congress The cry place every body in the army
and fight it out; but he was unwilling to place it upon the
q
sented had embarked in the forever if necessary and
prepared to fight out in spite of every obstacle
and when the Government TO the conclusion that
the to be fought within interior lines the confidence
of the people would revive He urged it upon Congress
to take of every branch Of industry and supply the
have for the people would lose confidence if they
that every thing they had to be staked upon
single effort He hoped the Government would set its foot
upon any such mad policy husband its and pro-
tract the war long enough to secure independence.
Pending the consideration of the subject the House
In the Confederate Senate on the 2Sth January the bill
giving additional compensation to certain civil officers and
employ in the Executive Department for limited period
having been returned from the House with amendments,
they concurred in, and the bill became law. BY
the bill those clerks receiving from 500 to 81 200
to have hundred cent increase to 18th of May
and those receiving 50 OOO and not receiving $4,000,
increase OF fifty cent provided that no clerk who,
by virtue of military commission, receives rations or
Communication of ratons, shall be entitled to the benefits of
the act.
THE DEFENCE OF CHARLESTON.
The Confederate House of Re representatives. the
day passed unanimously joint resolution affirming that
the thanks of Congress emlnenty due and hereby
cordially rendered to Gen L. Beauregad, and the Off
Of his command for the gallant and
full defence Of the city of Charlestona defence, which,
for skill herosm and tenacty displayed by the defenders
during attack scarcely paraeled 10 warare-whetber
we consider the persistent efforts of the enemy hs
almost boundess 10 the most improved and for
midabe artillery and the most powerful engines of war
hitherto known-is Justly entitled be pronounced go
rious by impartial history and admrng country and
requesting the President TO communicate the eaid resou
ton to Gen. Beauregard and the officers and men Of his
command.
TRADE-MILITARY COURT
Mr.. GARLAND, Of Arkansas, from the Committee on
Judiciary reported back with substitute bill TO amend
the act to prohibit the transportation and sale OF certain
articles therein named 10 any port place in the Con-
federae States in the possession OF the enemy and to
prohibit the barter sale exchange of certain articles
therein named to alien domestic enemies The subst
tue intended to meet the objects of the bill in more
concise form The original bill being of sweeping char
acter and covering in which supplies for the Gov
eminent 10 certain extent, concerned, it was
deemed sxpedent to make exception in favor of per-
who make such exchanges, transportation, &c with
the approval Of the President Secretary Of War; The
substitute, of which this is the effect was passed.
Mr.. DARGAN, of Alabama, from the same committee,
reported back bill to amend the act to organize military
courts to authorzs the President to establish
Military Court in North Alabama, which was passed.
coNscRIPTIoNs THE REBEL ARMY.
Mr.. HILTON, of Florida, from the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs reported substitute for the bill referred to
that committee few days ago. to amend the act repeal
ing the exemptions OF persons who had furnished subst
ttes to exclude persons who have engaged in the
production Of food The committees bill provides further
that the person excepted shall have furnished subs
tute who is not liable to military duty and that he shall
be exclusively engaged ia the production Of food.
Mr.. CHAMBERS, of Virginia opposed to the bill on
principle. The army wanted In all the exemptions
heretofore passed the farmers had received the least favor
while the mechanics and other industrial branches
ceived the most extended immunity from service in the
field. But all this nothing favors not to be
sought when the interests of all were mperled. II
the army not made strong enough to resist the foe
the farms would be of to the owners ii were
defeated nothing would avail TO s. from ruin All