Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-02-11
RESOLUTION OF THANKS.

Under a suspension of the rules, Mr.. B0YCE re-
ported back from the Naval Committee Senate
Joint resolution of thanks TO John Lancaster, of
Lacashire England, owner ofthc yacht Deerhound,
for services rendered ito Captain Scmmes and tue
officers and crew of the Alabama after the sinking
OF that vessel by the Kearsage in the British chan.
mel.
The resolutions passed without dissenting voice.
TRANSFER OF FUNDS.
MrLYON of Ala, from the Committee of Ways
and Means, reported Joint resolution. authorizing
the transfer of certain funds in the Quarterpaster
Generals Depart ment. Passed.
VOLUNTARY ENLISTMENT OF SLAVES FOR MILITARY
SERVICE.
Mr.. BARKSDALE, of Miss, introduced the fol-
lowing bid
The Congress of the Confederate States of Auaerico
do enact That in order to provide additional forces
to repel invasion, maintain the rightfnl posses
sion OF the Confederate States; secure their IN
dependence, and preserve their institutions, the
President be, and he Is hereby, authorized to ask
and accept from the Of slaves the services OF
such number of able-boded negro men, as he may
deem expedient, during the war, to perform mill
tary service in whatever capacity the General-in-
Chief may direct.
Sec. 2. That the President be authorized to orga-
nze the said slaves into companies, battalions reg
mentS aud brgades, under such rules and regula-
tions as the Secretary of War may prescribe, and
to be commanded by such officers as the President
may appoint.
Sees That while employed in the service the
said slaves shall receive the same rations, clothing
and compensation as are allowed in the act app
proved February IL, 1864 and the acts amendatory
thereto tsto increase the efficiency of the army by
the employment of free negroes and slaves in GER
tain capacities" and the compensation allowed shall
be made to the owner or to the slave, as the owner
may direct.
Sec A. That nothing in this act shall be construed
to authorize change in the relation which the said
L. I.ar r1a2 hair
except by conselt Of the States in which they may
reside, aud in pursuance OF the laws thereof.
Mr.. MILES, of S. c., objected to the second
reading of The bill whereupon
The SPEAKER announced the question 20 be,
shall the bill be rejected i
Mr.. HARTRIDGE, of Ca, called for the yeas
and nays, which being ordered the vote stood as
YEAs-Messrs. Baldwin, Branch, Cruikshank,
Darden, DeJarnette, Fuller, Garland, Gholson,
Gilmer, Lamkin, j. T. Leach, !. N. Leach, Nc
Mullen, Miles, Miller, Ramsey, Sexton, Smith OF
Ala, Smith Of N. c., wickham, witherspoop, Mr..
Speaker-22.
son, Bell, .Blandford, Boyce, Bradley, II. W. Bruce,
Carroll Chambers, Chiffon, Clark, Clopton, Cuskey,
Conrad Coprow, Dickinson, Dnpre, Ewing, Farrow,
Foster, Funston, Gather Goode, Gray, Hartridge,
Hatcher, Hilton, Holden, Holiday, Johpston, kee-
be, Lyon, Maehen, Marshall, Meneos, Moore, Orr,
Perkins, Pugb, Read, Rogers, Russell, Simpson, J.
N. Smith, W. 4. Smith, Suead, Swan, Trplett Viii
iere,, W elsh-53. ar.E
SO the House refused to reject the bill. n
Mr.,BARkSDALE moved that the bill be refer
red to select committee of one from each State.
After what had been said by the Chairman Of the
Military Committee (Mr. MILEsj twas evident that
he had prejrdged the question. All he mr. b.
desired was fair Investigation Of the bill, and such
report its merits and the demands of tho counc
try absolutely required He did not desire to enter
upon its discussion now, but would say that he had
introduced the bill under solemn conviction of
duty to his country. IL raiso1 Irritating issues
It provided amply that the Presid, mt should ac-
cept the services Of slaves, 10 be used the Gem
$ral-in-C Chief, Gen. Lee, might direct, In order to
save our cause. Nor does he propose to interfere.
with the re alton of master and slave. That ques-
ton was left by the bill where II properly belongs
--te the owneFs Of slaves BY the consent Of the