The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-03-08
CONFEDERATE CONGRESS-
SENATE.

TUESDAY, ASGCsA 4, 1COVs
Hnnsa bill for the relief Of Taxpayers
n csrtsin cases was laid on the table.
The following bills were considered
and passed:
House bill to make rules concerning
captures on land.
House bill providing for tho auditing
and payment Of Observation-Disclosures
claims.
House joint resolution for the relief
ofspostmasters, in certain cases.
Senate bill for the relief of manned
officers and soldiers.
The report of the Committee of Con-
ference on the Tax Bill was received, MIR.
Oldham, of Texas, Withholding his sig
nature from the report.
At 10 o'clock, the following House
bill, to increase the military forces of
the Confederate Sta6e, being the special
order, was taken up 36a considered:
"TAe Congress Of the Confederate States 81 Anne.
Sioo do enact, That in order to provide additional
forces 70 repel invasion, maintain the rightu pos
session Of the Confederate States secure their nde
peudeuce and preserve their institutions, the Pres-
dent be- and he ia hereby authorized to ask for and
accept from the of slaves the services of such
number Of able-bodied negro men as ne may deem
expedient, for and during the war; to perform mill
tary service in whatever capacity he may direct
"SYcrION 2. That the General-in-Chief be au-
thoriEed to organize the said slaves into companies
battaons regiments ana Srgaaes, %n yer sue1
prescribe, and to be commanded by such omcers as
the President may appoint
"SEcr1ox 5. That while employed in the service,
clothing and compensation as are allowed to other
troops in the same branch of the service.
"SEcrIoN 4. That if, under the previous sections
OF this act the President shall not be able to raise
o sufficient number Of troops to prosecute the war
successfully and maintain the sovereignty Of the
States and the independence of the Confederate
States then he is hereby authorized to call on each
quota OF three hundred thousand troops, in add.
ton to those subject to military service under exist
ing laws, or so many thereof Is the President may
deem to be raised from such classes OF the
population, irrespective Of color in each State as
the proper authorities thereof may determine.
"SKcTION 5. That nothing in this act shall be
construed to authorize a change in the relation
owners except by consent of the owners, and OF the
States in which they may reside, and in pursuance
Of the laws thereof"
Mr.. Hunter, of Virginia, stating that
he should be obliged, by instructions of
the Legislature of Virginia, to vote for
the bill, spoke at length in opposition to
it, both on the ground Of the principle
involved and expediency. Itgave up the
principle on which we went to war, and
would add no strength to our armies.
Mr.. Graham, of North Carolina, OPP
posed the bill on the same grounds.
Mr.. Semmes supported the bill as
military necessity. He believed it should
be modified so as to conform to the in
strucdons given by Virginia to her Sena-
tors.
Mr.. Orr spoke in opposition to the bill,
and Mr.. Burnett advocated it. The Se-
nate then resolved into executive session.
EVENING SESSION.
After recess, the Senate met at half
past seven o'clock P. NJ, and resumed
consideration of. the negro soldier bill,
but after debate, adjourned without
coming to vote.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.