Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-01-06
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House met IL o'clock, A. n.

Luz nOuno mob IL OOAVeht Ne ~
THE CONSUMPTION OF CITIZENS OF THE USIrID STATES.
The SPEAKER announced that the unfinished bust
ness before House the bill reported Saturday in
relation TO the conscpton of persona in the Coincide
racy claiming to be cisizens Of the United States.
EMPLOYMENT OF NEGROES ARMY.
Mr. MILES asked leave, which granted to re-
port bill from the Committee Military Affairs to in
ease the efficiency Of the army BY employing free
groes and slaves in the army 10 certain capacities leav-
ing the number blank 10 be filled up by the House.
The bill was placed the calendar and ordered to be
printed.
REsUMPTIOS Oh fHH UsyIEIsHRD BUSINESS.
Mr. CLAPP, of Miss, moved to recommit the bill In
relation to the CONSUMPTION Of citizens of the United
States and amendments with instructions to the COM
mittee to report bill giving foreigners reasonable
time TO leave the Confederacy.
Mr. CLAPP said he had voted for the substitute Of the
gentleman from Alabama (Mr. CHILros,) Saturday, but
rather hastily, the remarks of the gentleman from
Virgnis Mr. HoLooMBE and subsequent reflection had
convinced him. Our representatives. had been suubbed
at fo egn courts and had been ignored by foreign
nations but the question involved in the bill was
grave one and should not be acted on with too much
precpitaucy. had been said, and he coEcded in that
view that International which applied to Ia
respects as beligerent fo bid the ption Of for
eigneTs in the regular army bus admitted that
they iable 10 certain duty, as in the defence Of
beleagured city, or in repelng aud Expressing local
late the rights OF hospitality and International usage
and put them in our regular army. The question was
simply OF local iDvtson and would have to be de-
termined by the Secretary OF War; He would, there
lore move that the bill be recommitt d. with nsruc-
ons to the committee port another giving foreign
ers reasonable time to leave the country.
Mr.. CHAMBLlSS Of Va, said we were isclaed from
the civilized world and o. recognized as member of
the family Of nations But a. arecognizsd bell geIen
were governed in great measure by international law
as il we had been formal recognized asa nation
There were many individuals among us claiming the pro-
tectioa OF citizenship of foreign countries, increasing
the number of consumsr and aiding in no respect In
the prosecution OF the He would vote for the mo
ton to recommt the bill only and for the sole purpose of
afording all such persons time to leave the country.
Mr. CHILT0N, OF Ala, moved to amend tie motion
of Mr. CLAP by instructng the COMMITTEE, to report
bill 10 put in service all who did not leave the country
within reasonable time
Mr.. Chiffon said he dssented from the views OF
both gentlemen They were more tender with forega-
ers than Earl Russell in his letter OF Instructions to Con.
sui Bunch Charleston. He would put all foreigners
in the army If they do not leave the country within
given time All that he would concede TO them was to
give them notice to quit The question of international
comfy can't arise in the case Eagland and France
had no right to expect it from US. We wsntedno
drones in this country to aid in consuming our
and contributing in no way to our independence. All
our surplus bread ard should be gwen TO the SOL
diefs. i
Mr. NILES, of g. G., eaid he had hoped tina! the re-
marks Of The gentleman fom Virginia mr. HoLconBE)
Saturday had produced greater effect The gentle |
man from Alabama would not only make no friends,
bus bitter enemies If the army was to be largely in
creased BY it, be could understand the ngument &c ns
eessitats The adoption of the amendment would give
us willing and bad soldiers and increased appeti.es
Was 1t supposed that England and France, already un