Confederate States of America. "Acts and Resolutions of the First Session of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States ..."

Acts and Resolutions
of the First Session of the Provisional Congress
of the Confederate States,
Held at Montgomery, ALA. :
Electronic Edition.

Confederate States of America

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First edition, 1999
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
1999.

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Library of Congress Subject Headings, 21st edition, 1998

LC Subject Headings:

Confederate States of America -- Politics and government.
Law -- Confederate States of America.
Legislation -- Confederate States of America.

ACTS AND RESOLUTIONS
OF THE
FIRST SESSION
OF THE
PROVISIONAL CONGRESS
OF THE
CONFEDERATE STATES,
HELD AT MONTGOMERY, ALA.

RICHMOND:
ENQUIRER BOOK AND JOB PRESS.
BY TYLER, WISE, ALLEGRE & SMITH.
1861.

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ACTS AND RESOLUTIONS.

No. 1.] A RESOLUTION

To appoint Messrs. Reid & Shorter Printers to the Congress.

Resolved, That Messrs. Reid & Shorter be appointed printers to this Congress while it holds its sessions in Montgomery; and that all the work to be done, shall, in style and quality, equal that done for the State of Alabama, and shall be paid for at the same proportionate rates of compensation.

ADOPTED February 5, 1861.

No. 2] A RESOLUTION

Accepting the appropriation of Five hundred Thousand
Dollars, made by the General Assembly of the State of
Alabama.

1st. Resolved by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That this Congress accept the liberal offer of the General Assembly of the State of Alabama, to place at the disposal of this body the sum of five hundred thousand dollars as a loan to the Government of the Confederacy now being formed.

2d. Resolved by the authority aforesaid, That this Congress place the highest appreciation upon this generous, patriotic and considerate action of the State of Alabama and realize in it the zealous devotion of the people of that State to the cause of "Southern Independence."

ADOPTED February 8, 1861.

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No. 3.] A RESOLUTION

For the preservation of the Records of Congress.

WHEREAS, It is necessary that the records of this Congress be placed in a condition of safety, and those pertaining to proceedings with closed doors in a condition of secrecy, therefore,

Resolved by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of Congress be, and he is hereby authorized and instructed to make proper provision for the purposes herein declared.

ADOPTED February 8, 1861.

No. 4.] A RESOLUTION

In regard to the State of North Carolina, and the Commissioners
from said State to this Congress.

WHEREAS, The people of North Carolina and those of the States represented in this Congress, have a common history, a common sympathy, a common honor, and a common danger--and, whereas, it is the opinion and earnest desire of this Congress, that the State of North Carolina should be united in government with these States.

Be it therefore resolved, That this Congress receive with pleasure the Commissioners from the State of North Carolina, and hope to pursue such a course of action as shall commend itself to, and induce the State of North Carolina speedily to unite in our councils, and in such Government as shall be formed by these States.

ADOPTED February 8, 1861.

No. 5.] AN ACT

To continue in force certain laws of the United States of
America.

Be it enacted by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That all the laws of the United States of America, in force and in use in the Confederate States of America

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on the first day of November last, and not inconsistent with the Constitution of the Confederate States, be and the same are hereby continued in force until altered or repealed by the Congress.

ADOPTED February 9, 1861.

No. 6.] A RESOLUTION

In relation to the occupation of the Forts and Arsenals, &c.

Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States of America, That this Government takes under its charge the questions and difficulties now existing between the several States of this Confederacy, and the Government of the United States of America, relating to the occupation of forts, arsenals, navy yards, and other public establishments; and that the President of the Congress be directed to communicate this resolution to the several States of this Confederacy through the respective Governors thereof.

ADOPTED February 12, 1861.

No. 9.] A RESOLUTION

Authorizing the Secretary of Congress to arrange for Publication
the Provisional Constitution for the Government
of the Confederate States of America, with the Autogarph
Signatures of Members of Congress, &c.

Resolved by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Congress be allowed to have engrossed and arranged for publication the Provisional Constitution for the Government of the Confederate States of America, with the autograph signatures of the members of Congress, and the flag and seal of the Confederacy, whenever adopted.

ADOPTED February 14, 1861.

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No. 11.] A RESOLUTION

To authorize the Judiciary Committee to have such matter
printed as they may desire to lay before the Congress.

Resolved by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That the Judiciary Committee be authorized to have such matter printed as they may desire to lay before the Congress.

ADOPTED February 14, 1861.

No. 12] AN ACT

To continue in office the Officers connected with the Collection
of the Customs in the Confederate States of America.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That the several officers who, at the time of the adoption of the Constitution of the Provisional Government of these States, held and exercised any office connected with the collection of the customs, duties and imports in the several States of this Confederacy, or as assistant treasurers entrusted with keeping the moneys arising therefrom, are hereby appointed to the several offices which at the said date they respectively held; and they shall have the same powers, be subject to the same duties, and be entitled to the same salaries, fees and emoluments as are set forth and provided in and by the laws of the United States of America, until the first day of April next: Provided, That the maximum of compensation which each collector shall receive from all sources shall not exceed the rate of five thousand dollars per annum.

SEC. 2. Each collector so appointed, shall within two weeks from the date of this act, execute to the Confederate States of America, a bond in the same amount and subject to a like condition with his last bond to the United States of America, with sureties to be approved by a judge of any superior or circuit court of the State where such collector is located. And each of the other officers shall, within one week after the collector shall have entered upon the discharge of his duties, execute to the Confederate States of

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America, a bond in the same amount and subject to the like condition with his last bond to the United States of America, in case he was required to execute a bond, with sureties to be approved by the collectors of the port where such office is located.

SEC. 3. The said several officers shall take an oath before a magistrate, well and faithfully to discharge the duties of his office, and to support the Constitution of the Provisional Government of the Confederate States of America, which said oath shall be endorsed upon the bond; and the bond shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of the Treasury, or in such other place as he may direct.

ADOPTED February 14, 1861.

No. 13.] A RESOLUTION

To continue in office the Officers of the Customs.

Resolved by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That until otherwise provided, the several officers connected with the collection of the customs, duties and imposts in the several States of this Confederacy, be and they are hereby confirmed and continued as officers of the Government of the Confederate States of America, with their present salaries and emoluments, until the first day of April next; and that the Secretary of the Treasury be instructed to report to Congress a plan, to go into effect at the said date, whereby the expenses of collecting the revenue at each custom house shall be diminished at least fifty per cent.

ADOPTED February 14, 1861.

No. 14.] A RESOLUTION

Giving certain powers to the Committee of Naval Affairs.

Resolved by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That the committee on Naval Affairs be authorized to procure the attendance, at the seat of Government, of all such persons versed in naval affairs as they may deem advisable to consult with in the preparation of their report.

ADOPTED February 14, 1861.

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No. 15.] A RESOLUTION

To provide for Printing for the Committees of the Congress.

Resolved by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That each of the Standing Committees of Congress is authorized to cause to be printed any matters which it may deem requisite for the use of the committee.

ADOPTED February 14, 1861.

No. 17.] A RESOLUTION

For the appointment of Commissioners to the Government
of the United States of America.

Resolved by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That it is the sense of this Congress, that a commission of three persons be appointed by the President elect as early as may be convenient after his inauguration, and sent to the Government of the United States of America, for the purpose of negotiating friendly relations between that Government and the Confederate States of America, and for the settlement of all questions of disagreement between the two Governments upon principles of right, justice, equity, and good faith.

ADOPTED February 15, 1861.

No. 18.] A RESOLUTION

For the Enforcement of the Revenue Laws.

Resolved by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of Congress instruct the collectors of the several ports of this Confederacy to enforce the existing revenue laws against all foreign countries, except the State of Texas.

ADOPTED February 16, 1861.

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No. 19.] A RESOLUTION

For the relief of J. M. Walden, a citizen of Georgia.

Resolved by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That J. M. Walden, a citizen of the State of Georgia, be and he is hereby authorized to file with the attorney-general, a caveat, accompanied by suitable drawings and explanations, setting forth the design and purpose thereof, for the protection and improvement claimed to have been made by him in railroad switches, and that said caveat, when so filed as aforesaid, shall be effectual to protect his rights to said invention, until a patent office shall have been established: Provided, That as soon as said office is established, said caveat shall be filed with the commissioner thereof, and such proceedings had thereon, as may be authorized by law.

ADOPTED February 16, 1861.

No. 20.] AN ACT

To exempt from Duty certain commodities therein named,
and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That the following articles shall be exempt from duty and admitted free into said States, to-wit: Bacon, pork, hams, lard, beef, fish of all kinds, wheat, and flour of wheat, and flour of all other grains; Indian corn and meal; barley and barley flour; rye and rye flour; oats and oat meal; gunpowder, and all the materials of which it is made; lead in all forms; arms of every description, and munitions of war and military accoutrements; percussion caps; living animals of all kinds; also, all agricultural products in their natural state.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That all goods, wares and merchandize imported from any one of the late United States of America, not being now a member of this Confederacy, into this Confederacy before the fourth day of March next, which may have been bona fide purchased heretofore, or within ten days after the passage of this act, shall be exempt and free from duty.

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SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the State of Texas be and is hereby exempted from the operation of the tariff laws heretofore passed and adopted by this Congress.

ADOPTED February 18, 1861.

No. 21.] AN ACT

To Provide Munitions of War and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That the President or Secretary of War, under his direction, is hereby authorized and empowered to make contracts for the purchase and manufacture of heavy ordnance and small arms; and of machinery for the manufacture or alteration of small arms and munitions of war; and to employ the necessary agents and artisans for these purposes; and to make contracts for the establishment of powder mills and the manufacture of powder; and the President is authorized to make contracts provided for in this act, in such manner and on such terms as in his judgment the public exigencies may require.

APPROVED February 20, 1861.

No. 22.] AN ACT

To authorize the President to appoint a Private Secretary.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the President of the Confederate States of America be, and he is hereby authorized to appoint a private secretary, through whom he may communicate with Congress, and who shall discharge such duties as may be assigned him by the President, and shall receive such compensation for his services as shall be fixed by law.

APPROVED February 20, 1861.

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No. 23.] AN ACT

To determine the Salaries of the Vice President and of the
Heads of Departments.

The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the annual compensation of the Vice President, and of the Secretaries of State, of the Treasury, of War, of the Navy, the Postmaster General, and the Attorney General, shall be at the rate of six thousand dollars, payable quarterly, in advance.

APPROVED February 21, 1861.

No. 24.] AN ACT

To organize the Department of State.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That there shall be an Executive Department to be denominated the Department of State; and there shall be a principal officer therein to be called the Secretary of State, who shall perform and execute such duties as shall, from time to time, be enjoined on or entrusted to him by the President of the Confederate States, agreeably to the Constitution, relative to correspondences, commissions or instructions to or with public ministers or consuls from the Confederate States, or to negotiations with public ministers from Foreign States, or princes, or to memorials or other applications from foreign public ministers, and other foreigners, or to such other matters respecting foreign affairs as the President of the Confederate States shall assign to the said department; and furthermore the said principal officer shall conduct the business of the said department in such manner as the President of the Confederate States shall from time to time order or instruct. Said Secretary shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Congress, and shall receive a compensation to be ascertained and regulated by law.

SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to keep and preserve all bills and resolutions

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of the Congress having been approved or signed by the President or otherwise become laws, and he shall carefully preserve the originals, and shall, as soon as conveniently may be after he shall receive the same, cause every such law, order and resolution to be published in at least three public newspapers, published within the Confederate States, and shall also cause two printed copies, duly authenticated, to be sent to the executive authority of each State. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the great seal of the Confederate States, and to make out and record and affix said seal to all civil commissions to officers of the Confederate States, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice of the Congress, or by the President alone: Provided, That said seal shall not be affixed to any commission before it is signed by the President, nor to any other instrument or act without the special warrant of the President, therefor. The said Secretary shall also cause a seal of office to be made for said department, of such device as the President shall approve, and all copies of records and papers in said office, authenticated under the said seal, shall be evidence equally as the original record or paper.

SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That there shall be in the said department a chief clerk to be appointed by the Secretary, and such other clerks as from time to time may be found necessary, and authorized by the Congress, who shall receive a compensation for their services to be fixed by law; and the Secretary of State and every other person to be appointed or employed in said department shall, before he enters on the execution of his office or employment, take an oath or affirmation well and faithfully to execute the trust committed to him.

SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, There shall be paid to the Secretary, for the use of the Confederate States, the following fees of office by the persons requiring the services to be performed, except when they are performed for any officer of the Confederate States in a matter relating to the duties of his office, to wit: for making out and authenticating copies of records, ten cents for each hundred words; for authenticating a copy of a record or paper, under the seal of office, one dollar.

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, This act shall be in force and take effect from and after its passage.

APPROVED February 21, 1861.

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No. 25.] AN ACT

To establish the Treasury Department.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That there shall be an executive department known as the Department of Treasury, in which shall be the following officers, namely: A Secretary of the Treasury, to be deemed the head of the department; a Comptroller, an Auditor, a Register, a Treasurer, and an Assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury, which assistant shall be appointed by the said Secretary; all of which officers shall receive such salaries respectively as may be provided by law.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to superintend the collection of the public revenue; to digest and prepare plans for the improvement and management thereof, and for the support of the public credit; to prepare and report estimates of the public revenue and the public expenditures; to decide on the forms of keeping and stating accounts and making returns, and to grant, under the limitations herein established or to be hereafter provided, all warrants for moneys to be paid into the Treasury, and all warrants for moneys to be issued from the Treasury in pursuance of appropriations by law: to execute such services relative to the sale of the public property belonging to the Confederate States as by law may be required of him; to make reports and give information to the Congress or the President--in person or in writing, as may be required--concerning all matters referred to him by the Congress or the President respectively, and which shall appertain to his office; and generally to perform all such services relative to the finances, and all such other duties, as he may by law be directed to perform.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury shall have power to appoint a chief clerk, and also such other clerks, from time to time, as he may deem necessary, and Congress may authorize by law, which officers shall respectively receive such compensation as may be provided by law.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury shall cause to be procured an official seal for the Department of Treasury, to be approved by the President; and copies of all official papers or records in said department, certified under the seal thereof, shall be received

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in evidence in all the courts of the Confederate States, in lieu of such original papers or records.

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury to examine all letters, contracts and warrants prepared for the signatures of the Secretary of the Treasury, and perform all such other duties as may be devolved on him by law or by the Secretary of the Treasury.

SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Comptroller to superintend the adjustment and preservation of the public accounts; to examine all accounts settled by the Auditor, and certify the balances arising thereon to the Register; to countersign all warrants drawn by the Secretary of the Treasury which shall be authorized by law; to report to the Secretary the official forms of all papers to be issued in the different offices for collecting the public revenue, and the manner and form of keeping and stating the accounts of the several persons employed therein. He shall moreover provide for the regular and punctual payment of all moneys which may be collected, and shall direct prosecutions for all delinquencies of officers of the revenue, and for debts that are or shall be due to the Confederate States.

SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Auditor to receive all public accounts, and after examination to certify the balance and transmit the accounts, with the vouchers and certificate, to the comptroller for his decision thereon: Provided, That if any person whose account shall be so audited be dissatisfied therewith, he may appeal to the comptroller against such settlement.

SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That the Auditor of the public accounts shall be empowered to administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses in any case in which he may deem it necessary or proper for the due examination of the accounts with which he may be charged.

SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Register to keep all accounts of the receipts and expenditures of the public money, and of all debts due to or from the Confederate States; to receive from the comptroller the accounts which shall have been finally adjusted, and to preserve such accounts, with their vouchers and certificates; to record all warrants for the receipt or payment of moneys at the treasury, certify the same thereon, and to transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury copies of the

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certificates of balances of accounts adjusted as herein directed.

SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive and keep the moneys of the Confederate States, and to disburse the same upon warrants drawn by the secretary of the treasury, countersigned by the comptroller, and recorded by the register, and not otherwise; he shall take receipts for all moneys paid by him, and all receipts for moneys received by him shall be endorsed upon warrants signed by the secretary of the treasury, without which warrant, so signed, no acknowledgment for money received into the public treasury shall be valid. And the said treasurer shall render his accounts to the comptroller quarterly, or oftener if required, and shall transmit a copy thereof, when settled, to the secretary of the treasury. He shall, at all times, submit to the Secretary of the Treasury and the Comptroller, or either of them, the inspection of the books and records in his office, and of all moneys in his hands; and shall, prior to entering upon the duties of his office, give bond, with good and sufficient sureties, to be approved by the Secretary of the Treasury and Comptroller, in the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, payable to the Confederate States of America, with condition for the faithful performance of the duties of his office, and for the fidelity of the persons to be by him employed, which bond shall be lodged in the office of the Comptroller.

SEC. 11. And be it further enacted, That no person appointed to any office instituted by this act, shall directly or indirectly be concerned or interested as owner in whole or in part of any sea vessel, or purchase by himself, or another in trust for him, any public property or forfeited goods, or be concerned in the purchase by himself, or another in trust for him, any public property or forfeited goods, or be concerned in the purchase or disposal of any public securities of any State or of the Confederate States, or take or apply to his own use any emolument or gain for negotiating or transacting any business in the said department, other than what shall be allowed by law; and if any person shall offend against any of the prohibitions of this act, he shall be guilty of a high misdemeanor, and forfeit to the Confederate States the penalty of three thousand dollars, and shall upon conviction be removed from office, and forever thereafter be incapable of holding any office under the Confederate States: Provided, That if any other person than a public prosecutor

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shall give information of any such offence, upon which a prosecution and conviction shall be had, one-half of the aforesaid penalty of three thousand dollars, when recovered shall be for the use of the person giving such information.

APPROVED February 21, 1861.

No. 26.] AN ACT

To establish the War Department.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That an Executive Department be and the same is hereby established, under the name of the War Department, the chief officer of which shall be called the Secretary of War.

SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That said Secretary shall, under the direction and control of the President, have charge of all matters and things connected with the army, and with the Indian tribes within the limits of the Confederacy, and shall perform such duties appertaining to the army, and to said Indian tribes, as may from time to time be assigned to him by the President.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of said department is hereby authorized to appoint a chief clerk thereof, and as many inferior clerks as may be found necessary, and may be authorized by law.

APPROVED February 21, 1861.

No. 27.] AN ACT

To establish the Navy Department.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That an Executive Department be and the same is hereby established to be called the Navy Department.

SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the chief officer of said department shall be called the Secretary of the Navy, and shall, under the direction and control of the President, have

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charge of all matters and things connected with the Navy of the Confederacy, and shall perform all such duties appertaining to the Navy as shall from time to time be assigned to him by the President.

SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That said Secretary shall be authorized to appoint a chief clerk, and such other clerks as may be found necessary, and be authorized by law.

APPROVED February 21, 1861.

No. 28.] AN ACT

To establish the Post Office Department.

The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That there shall be an executive department, to be denominated the Post Office Department, and there shall be a principal officer therein, to be called the Postmaster General, who shall perform such duties in relation to post offices and post routes, as shall be enjoined on him by the President of the Confederate States, agreeably to the Constitution and the laws of the land, who shall be paid an annual salary to be fixed by law, and have power to appoint a chief clerk, and such inferior clerks as may be found necessary, who shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by law.

APPROVED February 21, 1861.

No 29.] AN ACT

To organize and establish an Executive Department, to be
known as the Department of Justice.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That from and after the passage of this act, there shall be an executive department to be known as the Department of Justice. The principal officer at the head of said department shall be denominated the Attorney General, who shall be paid an annual salary to be fixed by law, and who shall have the power to appoint a clerk, at such compensation as may be fixed by law.

SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the Attorney General to prosecute and conduct all suits in the Supreme Court, in which the Confederate States shall be concerned, and to give

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his advice and opinion upon questions of law, when required by the President of the Confederate States, or when requested by any of the heads of departments, touching any matters that may concern their departments on subjects before them. He shall also have supervisory power over the accounts of the marshals, clerks, and officers of all the courts of the Confederate States, and all claims against the Confederate States.

APPROVED February 21, 1861.

No. 30.] AN ACT

To prescribe the Rates of Postage in the Confederate States
of America, and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That from and after such period as the Postmaster General may by proclamation announce, there shall be charged the following rates of postage, to wit: For every single sealed letter, and for every letter in manuscript or paper of any kind, upon which information shall be asked for or communicated in writing or by marks or signs, conveyed in the mail for any distance between places within the Confederate States of America, not exceeding five hundred miles, five cents; and for any distance exceeding five hundred miles double that rate; and every letter or parcel not exceeding half an ounce in weight shall be deemed a single letter, and every additional weight of half an ounce, or additional weight of less than half an ounce, shall be charged with an additional single postage; and all packages containing other than printed or written matter--and money packages are included in this class--shall be rated by weight as letters are rated, and shall be charged double the rates of postage on letters; and all drop letters, or letters placed in any post office not for transmission but for delivery only, shall be charged with postage at the rate of two cents each; and in all the foregoing cases the postage must be pre-paid by stamps; and all letters which shall hereafter be advertised as remaining over or uncalled for in any post office shall be charged with two cents each in addition to the regular postage, both to be accounted for as other postages of this Confederacy.

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SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That all newspapers not exceeding three ounces in weight sent from the office of publication to actual and bona fide subscribers, shall be charged with postage as follows, to wit: The postage on the regular numbers of a newspaper published weekly, within the State where published, shall be six and one-half cents per quarter; and papers published semi-weekly, double that rate; and papers published thrice a week, treble that rate; and papers published daily, six times that rate; and the postage on all newspapers to actual subscribers without the State where published shall be charged double the foregoing rates. And periodicals sent from the office of publication to actual bona fide subscribers shall be charged with postage as follows, to wit: The postage on the regular numbers of a periodical not exceeding one and a half ounces in weight, and published monthly, within the State where published, shall be three cents per quarter; if published semi-monthly, double that rate; and for every additional ounce or fraction of an ounce, double the foregoing rates shall be charged; and periodicals published quarterly or bi-monthly shall be charged one cent an ounce; and the postage on all periodicals without the State where published shall be double the specified rates; and regular subscribers to newspapers and periodicals shall be required to pay one quarter's postage in advance. And there shall be charged upon every other newspaper, and each circular not sealed, hand bill, engraving, pamphlet, periodical and magazine, which shall be unconnected with any manuscript or written matter, not exceeding three ounces in weight, two cents; and for each additional ounce or fraction of an ounce, two cents additional; and in all cases the postage shall be pre-paid by stamps. And books, bound or unbound, not weighing four pounds shall be deemed mailable matter, and shall be charged with postage to be pre-paid by stamps, at two cents an ounce for any distance. The publishers of newspapers or periodicals may send to each other, from their respective offices of publication, free of postage, one copy of each publication.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Postmaster General to provide and furnish to all deputy postmasters, and to all other persons applying and paying therefor, suitable postage stamps and stamped envelopes, of the denomination of two cents, five cents, and twenty cents, to facilitate the pre-payment of postages

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provided for in this act; and any person who shall forge or counterfeit any postage stamp provided or furnished under the provisions of this or any former act, whether the same are impressed or printed on or attached to envelopes or not, or any die, plate, or engraving therefor, or shall make or print, or knowingly use or sell, or have in his possession with intent to use or sell, any such false, forged, or counterfeited die, plate, engraving, or postage stamp, or who shall make or print, or authorize or procure to be made or printed, any postage stamps of the kind provided and furnished by the Postmaster General as aforesaid, without the especial authority and direction of the Post Office Department, or who, after such postage stamps have been printed, shall, with intent to defraud the revenues of the Post Office Department, deliver any postage stamps to any peson or persons other than such as shall be authorized to receive the same by an instrument of writing, duly executed under the hand of the Postmaster General and the seal of the Post Office Department, shall, on conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of felony, and be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding five years, or by both such fine and imprisonment; and the expenses of procuring and providing all such postage stamps and letter envelopes as are provided for or authorized by this act, shall be paid, after being adjusted by the Auditor of the Post Office Department, on the certificate of the Postmaster General out of any money in the treasury arising from the revenues of the Post Office Department.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of every postmaster to cause to be defaced, in such manner as the Postmaster General shall direct, all postage stamps of this Confederacy attached to letters deposited in his office for delivery, or to be sent by mail; and if any postmaster sending letters in the mail with such postage stamps attached shall omit to deface the same it shall be the duty of the postmaster to whose office such letters shall be sent for delivery to deface the stamps and report the delinquent postmaster to the Postmaster General. And if any person shall use or attempt to use in pre-payment of postage any postage stamps which shall have been before used for like purposes, such person shall be subject to a penalty of fifty dollars for every such offence, to be recovered in the name of the Confederate States of America in any court of competent jurisdiction.

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SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That from and after the day when this act goes into effect the franking privilege shall be abolished; Provided, that the Postmaster General and his chief clerks and Auditor of the Treasury for the Post Office Department shall be and they are hereby authorized to transmit through the mail, free of postage, any letters, packages, or other matters relating exclusively to their official duties or to the business of the Post Office Department; but they shall, in every such case, indorse on the back of the letter or package to be sent free of postage, over their own signature, the words "Official Business." And for any such indorsement falsely made, the person so offending shall forfeit and pay three hundred dollars. And provided further, The several deputy postmasters throughout the Confederate States shall be and hereby are authorized to send through the mail, free of postage, all letters and packages which it may be their duty or they may have occasion to transmit to any person or place, and which shall relate exclusively to the business of their respective offices or to the business of the Post Office Department; but in every such case the deputy postmaster sending any such letter or package shall indorse thereon, over his own signature, the words "Post Office Business." And for any and every such indorsement falsely made, the person making the same shall forfeit and pay three hundred dollars.

SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That the third section of an act entitled "An act further to amend an act entitled 'An act to reduce and modify the rates of postage in the United States, and for other purposes, passed March third, eighteen hundred and fifty-one,' " approved March 3d, 1855, whereby the letter registration system was established, be and is hereby repealed from and after the day when this act goes into effect.

SEC. 7. Be it further enacted, That no letters shall be carried by the express or other chartered companies, unless the same shall be pre-paid by being enclosed in a stamped envelope of this Confederacy; and any company violating the provisions of this act shall forfeit and pay the sum of five hundred dollars for each offence, to be recovered by action of debt in any court of this Confederacy having cognizance thereof, in the name and for the use of this Confederacy.

SEC. 8. Be it further enacted, That the Postmaster General of the Confederate States be and is hereby authorized to

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make all necessary arrangements for the transmission of mails between the territories of this and other governments, subject to the approval of the President, until postal treaties can be effected.

APPROVED Februay 23, 1861.

No. 31.] AN ACT

For the Relief of William P. Barker.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That William P. Barker, a citizen of the State of Alabama, be authorized to file in the office of the Attorney General, a specification of an invention claimed to have been made by him, as an improvement in the mode of casting ordnance, and that the same shall, from this date, operate as a caveat, to protect his said invention until an application can be made for a patent according to law.

APPROVED February 25, 1861.

No. 32.] A RESOLUTION

To provide an Executive Mansion.

The Congress of the Confederate States of America do resolve, That the committee to arrange for government buildings be authorized to lease a furnished mansion for the residence of the President of the Confederate States.

APPROVED February 25, 1861.

No. 33.] AN ACT

In relation to Public Printing.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the Secretary of Congress shall, after each session, prepare for publication fair copies of all the acts

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passed by Congress, and resolutions of a public nature intended to have the effect of laws, together with the Constitutions for a Provisional and Permanent Government of this Confederacy, adopted by this Congress.

SEC. 2. The acts shall be arranged under appropriate titles, shall have marginal notes to each section, and be fully indexed.

SEC. 3. The Secretary shall also prepare for publication copies of the public journal of the proceedings of this Congress, and a full index for the same.

SEC. 4. The acts and journals, when prepared, shall be delivered to the public printers, who shall, without delay, publish three thousand copies of each, in a style equal in execution, and upon paper of the same quality in every respect, as the laws of the United States, as annually published by Messrs. Little & Brown.

SEC. 5. The acts of Congress thus published shall be bound by the public printers in a style not inferior to the acts of the General Assembly of the State of Alabama, for which service he shall receive the sum of twenty-five cents per copy.

SEC. 6. The public printers shall be entitled to receive as compensation for the publication of the laws and journal the following prices, viz :

For each page of the laws and journals, including press-work, paper, pressing, folding and stitching, the sum of six dollars.

SEC. 7. For all job printing ordered by Congress the public printers shall receive the following compensation and no more, viz

First: For bills, resolutions, and reports--For composition per page (foolscap) one dollar and seventy-five cents; for press-work, folding and stitching one hundred copies, twenty-five cents per page, and pro rata for all copies over one hundred.

Second: For rules, constitutions and other pamphlets--For composition, per page, (octavo) in small pica, plain, one dollar; in small pica, rule, one dollar and fifty cents; for brevier, rule, two dollars; for rule and figure work on page larger than royal octavo, per 1000 ems, one dollar: for press-work, including folding and stitching, per token, seventy cents.

Third: For yeas and nays, circular letters, and other miscellaneous printing ordered by Congress--For composition, plain work, per 1000 ems, seventy cents; rule and

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figure work per 1000 ems, one dollar; for press-work, including folding and stitching, per token or fraction of token, seventy-cents.

Fourth: For all paper on which printing is done for Congress, the public printer shall be allowed the fair market cost thereof, and twenty per centum additional thereto.

Fifth: On all work done for Congress when in secret session, the public printer shall receive an additional compensation of ten per centum on the above rates.

SEC. 8. The chief officers of the Executive Departments of the Government are hereby authorized to contract for all necessary printing in connection with their several offices, in no case, however, at higher rates of compensation than hereinbefore prescribed for work done for Congress.

SEC. 9. The Postmaster General shall contract for the publication of all post bills and other blanks connected with his office, not exceeding the following rates: For composition, including rule and figure work per 1000 ems, fifty cents; for press-work, per clean token, (the sheets not to be less than 16 by 26 inches,) fifty cents; for paper, ten per cent. on actual cost. Nothing shall be allowed for altering the name of a postmaster on a post bill or other blank, nor shall there be an additional charge for composition when the name of the post-office alone is changed. But the printer shall be required to keep always on hand, forms for post-office blanks, and when new orders are given, the charge shall be made only for the press-work and paper, and such new composition as may be necessary.

SEC. 10. All accounts for printing done for Congress or any one of the Executive Departments shall, before the same are allowed and paid, be sworn to by the public printer or contractor; shall be accompanied by vouchers, showing the cost of the paper used and the quantity thereof, and shall be certified to be correctly made out under the law by at least two disinterested practical printers in no way connected with the office or business of the claimant.

SEC. 11. The foregoing rates and provisions do not apply to advertisements in public gazettes by order of any of the Executive Departments, for which the usual fees paid by other advertisers shall be allowed. But no advertisement from any of the Executive Departments shall be inserted in more than three public gazettes in the same State.

SEC. 12. When printing on parchment is required to be done for an Executive Department, the parchment shall be

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purchased and furnished by such department, and a special contract made for such printing, not exceeding ten dollars per thousand copies.

SEC. 13. There shall be connected with the Department of Justice, a Bureau of Printing, the chief officer of which shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Congress, and shall be known as the Superintendent of Public Printing. No person shall be eligible to this office who is not skilled in and acquainted with the practical details of the business of printing; nor shall the Superintendent of Public Printing be in any manner, directly or indirectly interested in the contracts for public printing, nor with the printing office at which the same is done, nor connected with any newspaper in any capacity whatever.

SEC. 14. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent to supervise, direct and control all the printing done by order of Congress, or under contract with any Executive Department, as to the quality of paper to be used, the character of type, the style of binding, and the general execution of the work; and also as to the time and order in which the same shall be completed. It shall be his duty also to report to the head of the department, at least once a year, the condition of the public printing, stating the amount paid out for the same on each contract, specifying the amount paid out under the order of each department, and giving estimates of the probable expenditure for the succeeding year; which report shall be laid before the Congress by the President, in connection with his annual message. It shall be his duty also to take from every contractor for public printing such bond, with good security as he may require, not exceeding the probable amount of the contract price for the printing to be done by such contractor, and conditioned for the faithful performance of his contract in every particular. Such bonds shall be renewed annually by contractors whose work shall be continuing in its character and extends beyond the year of its commencement.

SEC. 15. All accounts for printing done, when rendered as hereinbefore provided, shall be audited and allowed by the Superintendent of Public Printing before the same shall be paid. If the Superintendent shall refuse to receive any work done, or shall refuse to allow any account rendered, the printer or contractor may appeal from such decision to the head of the department, whose decision, on the appeal, shall be final and conclusive.

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SEC. 16. All laws or parts of laws militating against the provisions of this act are hereby repealed.

APPROVED February 27, 1861.

No. 34.] AN ACT

To declare and establish the Free Navigation of the Mississippi
River.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the peaceful navigation of the Mississippi River is hereby declared free to the citizens of any of the States upon its borders, or upon the borders of its navigable tributaries; and all ships, boats, rafts or vessels may navigate the same, under such regulations as may be established by authority of law, or under such police regulations as may be established by the States within their several jurisdictions.

SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, All ships, boats or vessels which may enter the waters of the said river within the limits of this Confederacy, from any port or place beyond the said said limits, may freely pass with their cargoes to any other port or place beyond the limits of this Confederacy without any duty or hindrance, except light-money, pilotage, and other like charges: but it shall not be lawful for any such ship, boat or vessel to sell, deliver, or in any way dispose of any part of her cargo, or land any portion thereof for the purpose of sale and delivery within the limits of this Confederacy; and in case any portion of such cargo shall be sold or delivered, or landed for that purpose in violation of the provisions of this act, the same shall be forfeited, and shall be seized and condemned by a proceeding in admiralty, before the court having jurisdiction of the same in the district in which the same may be found; and the ship, boat or vessel shall forfeit four times the amount of the value of the duties chargeable on the said goods, wares or merchandise so landed, sold or disposed of in violation of the provisions of this act, to be recovered by a proper proceeding in admiralty before the said court, in the district in which such ship, boat, or vessel may be found, one-half for the use of the collector of the district, who shall institute and conduct such proceeding, the other half for the use of the Government of the Confederate

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States: Provided, That if any such ship, boat or vessel shall be stranded, or front any cause become unable to proceed on its voyage, the cargo thereof may be landed and the same be entered at the nearest port of entry, in the same manner as goods, wares and merchandise regularly consigned to said port; and the person so entering the same shall be entitled to the benefit of drawback of duties or of warehousing said goods, wares and merchandise as provided by law in other cases.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, If any person having the charge of or being concerned in the transportation of any goods, wares or merchandize upon the said river, shall, with intent to defraud the revenue, break open or unpack, within the limits of the Confederate States, any part of the merchandize entered for transportation beyond the said limits, or shall exchange or consume the same, or with like intent shall break or deface any seal or fastening placed thereon by any officer of the revenue, or if any person shall deface, alter or forge any certificate granted for the protection of merchandize transported as aforesaid, each and every person so offending shall forfeit and pay five hundred dollars, and shall be imprisoned not less than one or more than six months, at the discretion of the court before which such person shall be convicted.

SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, In case any ship, boat or vessel shall enter the waters of the said river within the limits of the Confederate States, having on board any goods, wares or merchandize subject to the payment of duties, and the master, consignee or owner shall desire to land the same for sale or otherwise, it shall be lawful to enter said goods, wares and merchandize at any port of entry, in the same manner as goods, wares or merchandize regularly consigned to the said port, or to forward them under bond or seal, according to the regulations customary in such cases, when consigned to any port or place beyond the limits of this Confederacy, and on payment of the duties on said goods, to obtain from the collector a license to land the same at any point on the river; and when goods, wares or merchandize shall be entered as aforesaid, the owner, importer or consignee shall be entitled to the benefit of drawback of duties or of warehousing the said goods, wares and merchandize, as is provided by law, upon complying with all the laws and regulations which apply to cases of entry for drawback or warehousing respectively.

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SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, When any such ship, boat or vessel, having on board goods, wares and merchandize subject to the payment of duties, as set forth in the fourth section, shall arrive at the first port of her entry of Confederate States, the master or person in command of such ship, boat or vessel shall, before he pass the said port, and immediately after his arrival, deposit with the collector a manifest of the cargo on board subject to the payment of duties, and the said collector shall, after registering the same, transmit it, duly certified to have been deposited, to the officers with whom the entries are to be made, and the said collector may, if he judge it necessary for the security of the revenue, put an inspector of the customs on board any such ship, boat or vessel, to accompany the same until her arrival at the first port of entry to which her cargo may be consigned; and if the master or person in command shall omit to deposit a manifest as aforesaid, or refuse to receive such inspector on board, he shall forfeit and pay five hundred dollars, with costs of suit, one-half to the use of the officer with whom the manifest should have been deposited, and the other half to the use of the collector of the district to which the vessel was bound: Provided, however, That until ports of entry shall be established above the city of Vicksburg, on the Mississippi River, the penalties of this act shall not extend to the delivery of goods above that port by vessels or boats descending said river.

APPROVED February 25, 1861.

No. 35.] AN ACT

To modify the Navigation Laws and repeal all Discriminating
Duties on Ships or Vessels.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That all laws which forbid the employment in the coasting trade of ships or vessels not enrolled or licensed, and also all laws which forbid the importation of goods, wares or merchandize from one port of the Confederate States, to another port of the Confederate States, or from any foreign port or place, in a vessel belonging wholly or in part to a subject or citizen of any foreign State or power, are hereby repealed.

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SEC. 2. All laws which impose any discriminating duty on the tonnage of ships or vessels owned by any subject or citizen of any foreign State or power, or upon goods, wares or merchandize imported in any such ship or vessel, are hereby repealed.

APPROVED February 26,1861.

No. 36.] AN ACT

To define more accurately the exemption of certain Goods
from Duty.

The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the exemption from duties allowed by the act to "Exempt from duties certain commodities therein named, and for other purposes," passed on the eighteenth day of February, 1861, shall extend only to such goods, bona fide purchased on or before the twenty-eighth day of February instant, as shall have been actually laden on board of the exporting vessel or conveyance destined for any port in this Confederacy, on or before the fifteenth day of March, in the present year.

APPROVED February 26, 1861.

No. 37.] AN ACT

For the Establishment and Organization of a General Staff
for the Army of the Confederate States of America.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That from and after the passage of this act, the general staff of the army of the Confederate States shall consist of an Adjutant and Inspector General's Department, Quartermaster General's Department, Subsistence Department, and the Medical Department.

SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the Adjutant and Inspector General's Department shall consist of one Adjutant and Inspector General with the rank of Colonel, four

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Assistant Adjutants General with the rank of Major, and four Assistant Adjutants General with the rank of Captain.

SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That the Quartermaster General's Department shall consist of one Quartermaster General with the rank of Colonel, six Quartermasters with the rank of major; and as many Assistant Quartermasters as may from time to time be required by the service may be detailed by the War Department from the subalterns of the line, who, in addition to their pay in the line, shall receive twenty dollars per month while engaged in that service. The Quartermasters herein provided for shall also discharge the duties of Paymasters, under such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary of War.

SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That the Commissary General's Department shall consist of one Commissary General with the rank of Colonel, four Commissaries with the rank of Captain; and as many Assistant Commissaries as may from time to time be required by the service may be detailed by the War Department from the subalterns of the line, who, in addition to their pay in the line, shall receive twenty dollars per month while engaged in that service. The Assistant Quartermasters and Assistant Commissaries shall be subject to duties in both departments at the same time, but shall not receive the additional compensation but in one department.

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That the Medical Department shall consist of one Surgeon General with the rank of Colonel, four Surgeons with the rank of Major, and six Assistant Surgeons with the rank of Captain; and as many Assistant Surgeons as the service may require may be employed by the Department of War, and receive the pay of Assistant Surgeons.

SEC. 6. Be it further enacted, That the officers of the Adjutant General's, Quartermaster General's and Commissary General's Department, though eligible to command, according to the rank they hold in the army of the Confederate States of America, shall not assume command of troops, unless put on duty under orders which specially so direct by authority of the President. The officers of the Medical Department shall not exercise command except in their own department.

SEC. 7. Be it further enacted, That the staff officers herein provided for shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Congress, and shall receive

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such pay and allowances as shall be hereafter established by law.

APPROVED February 26, 1861.

No. 38.] AN ACT

To authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to establish additional
Ports and places of Entry and Delivery, and appoint
Officers therefor.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the Secretary of the Treasury be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to establish such ports of entry and delivery of goods, wares and merchandize as in his judgment may be necessary for the proper collection of the customs and the enforcement of the revenue laws of the Confederate States; and that he have power to change, alter and abolish such ports and places of entry and delivery at any time when the public interests may require it.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint suitable persons as collectors of the customs at such ports and places of entry and delivery, under such regulations and with such salaries as he may from time to time prescribe and establish.

APPROVED February 28, 1861.

No. 40.] AN ACT

To authorize the Secretary of State to appoint an Assistant.

The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint an assistant, who shall be known as the Assistant Secretary of State, who shall perform such duties as may be assigned him by the Secretary, and receive such compensation for his services as may be fixed by law.

APPROVED February 27, 1861.

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No. 41.] AN ACT

To raise Money for the support of the Government, and to
provide for the Defence of the Confederate States of
America.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the President of the Confederate States be and he is hereby authorized, at any time within twelve months after the passage of this act, to borrow, on the credit of the Confederate States, a sum not exceeding fifteen millions of dollars, or so much thereof as in his opinion the exigencies of the public service may require, to be applied to the payment of appropriations made by law for the support of the Government and for the defences of the Confederate States.

SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized, by the consent of the President of the Confederate States, to cause to be prepared certificates of stock or bonds, in such sums as are hereinafter mentioned, for the amount to be borrowed as aforesaid, to be signed by the Register of the Treasury and sealed with the seal of the Treasury; and the said certificates of stock or bonds shall be made payable at the expiration of ten years from the first day of September next; and the interest thereon shall be paid semi-annually, at the rate of eight per cent. per annum, at the Treasury and such other place as the Secretary of the Treasury may designate. And to the bonds which shall be issued as aforesaid shall be attached coupons for the semi-annual interest which shall accrue, which coupons may be signed by officers to be appointed for the purpose by the Secretary of the Treasury. And the faith of the Confederate States is hereby pledged for the due payment of the principal and interest of the said stock and bonds.

SEC. 3. At the expiration of five years from the first day of September next, the Confederate States may pay up any portion of the bonds or stocks, upon giving three months previous public notice, at the seat of Government, of the particular stocks or bonds to be paid, and the time and place of payment; and from and after the time so appointed, no further interest shall be paid on said stock or bonds.

SEC. 4. The certificates of stock and bonds shall be issued in such form and for such amounts as may be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, and may be assigned or

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delivered under such regulations as he may establish. But none of them shall be for a less sum than fifty dollars, and he shall report to Congress, at its next session, a statement in detail of his proceedings, and the rate at which the loans may have been made, and all the expenses attending the same.

SEC. 5. From and after the first day of August 1861, there shall be levied and collected and paid a duty of one-eighth of one cent. per pound on all cotton in the raw state exported from the Confederate States, which duty is hereby specially pledged to the due payment of interest and principal of the loan provided for in this act; and the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and required to establish a sinking fund to carry into effect the provisions of this section: Provided, however, That the interest coupons, issued under the second section of this act, when due, shall be receivable in payment of the export duty on cotton: Provided, also, That when the debt and interest thereon herein authorized to be contracted shall be extinguished, or the sinking fund provided for that purpose shall be adequate to that end, the said export duty shall cease and determine.

APPROVED February 28, 1861.

No. 42.] AN ACT

Supplemental to an act to regulate the Rates of Postage
and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That until postage stamps and stamped envelopes can be procured and distributed, the Postmaster General may order the postage of the Confederacy to be prepaid in money, under such rules and regulations as he may adopt.

SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That until otherwise provided by law, the Postmaster General may contract with any line of steamers for the transportation of mail matter between the ports of this Confederacy and the ports of foreign governments: Provided, That the rates of postage shall not exceed the rates allowed by the present laws of the United

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States for similar service, and the compensation to be paid shall not exceed the income from postage on such matter.

APPROVED March 1, 1861.

No. 43.] AN ACT

To raise Provisional Forces for the Confederate States of
America, and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That to enable the Government of the Confederate States to maintain its jurisdiction over all questions of peace and war, and to provide for the public defence, the President be and he is hereby authorized and directed to assume control of all military operations in every State, having reference to or connection with questions between said States, or any of them, and powers foreign to them.

SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the President is hereby authorized to receive from the several States the arms and munitions of war which have been acquired from the United States, and which are now in the forts, arsenals and navy yards of said States, and all other arms and munitions which they may desire to turn over and make chargeable to this government.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the President be authorized to receive into the service of this Government such forces now in the service of said States as may be tendered, or who may volunteer, by consent of their State, in such numbers as he may require, for any time not less than twelve months, unless sooner discharged.

SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That such forces may be received, with their officers, by companies, battalions or regiments, and when so received shall form a part of the Provisional Army of the Confederate States, according to the terms of their enlistment; and the President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of Congress, such general officer or officers for said forces as may be necessary for the service.

SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, That said forces, when received into the service of this Government, shall have the same pay and allowances as may be provided by law for

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volunteers entering the service, or for the army of the Confederate States, and shall be subject to the same rules and government.

APPROVED February 28, 1861.

No. 44.] AN ACT

To admit Texas as a member of the Confederate States of
America.

The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the State of Texas be and is hereby admitted as a member of this Confederacy, upon an equal footing with the other Confederate States.

APPROVED March 2, 1861.

No. 45.] A RESOLUTION

In relation to Patents and Caveats.

Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States of America, That all persons, being citizens of the Confederate States, who may wish to procure patents or file caveats for inventions and useful discoveries and improvements, may file in the office of the Attorney General a specification of such invention, discovery or improvement, together with such descriptive drawings as may be necessary; and such specification, when so filed, shall operate as a caveat to protect the rights of such persons, until regular application can be made according to law; and this resolution shall apply to all patents heretofore granted by the United States to citizens of this Confederacy, and to caveats heretofore filed by such citizens in the Patent Office of the United States, on such patents and copies of such caveats being deposited as aforesaid, in the office of the Attorney General: Provided, That such applicants shall pay such fees as may hereafter

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be required by law establishing a patent office, on application for patents and filing of caveats.

APPROVED March 4, 1861.

No. 48.] AN ACT

To provide for the Public Defence.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That in order to provide speedily forces to repel invasion, maintain the rightful possession of the Confederate States of America in every portion of territory belonging to each State, and to secure the public tranquility and independence against threatened assault, the President be and he is hereby authorized to employ the militia, military and naval forces of the Confederate States of America, and to ask for and accept the services of any number of volunteers, not exceeding one hundred thousand, who may offer their services, either as cavalry, mounted riflemen, artillery or infantry, in such proportion of these several arms as he may deem expedient, to serve for twelve months after they shall be mustered into service, unless sooner discharged.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the militia, when called into service by virtue of this act or any other act, if in the opinion of the President the public interest requires, may be compelled to serve for a term not exceeding six months after they shall be mustered into service, unless sooner discharged.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That said volunteers shall furnish their own clothes, and, if mounted men, their own horses and horse equipments; and when mustered into service, shall be armed by the States from which they come, or by the Confederate States of America.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That said volunteers shall, when called into actual service, and while remaining therein, be subject to the rules and articles of war, and instead of clothing, every non-commissioned officer and private in any company shall be entitled, when called into actual service, to money in a sum equal to the cost of clothing of a non-commissioned officer or private in the regular army of the Confederate States of America.

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SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That the said volunteers so offering their services may be accepted by the President in companies, squadrons, battalions and regiments, whose officers shall be appointed in the manner prescribed by law in the several States to which they shall respectively belong; but when inspected, mustered, and received into the service of the Confederate States, said troops shall be regarded in all respects as a part of the army of said Confederate States, according to the terms of their respective enlistments.

SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That the President is hereby authorized to organize companies so tendering their services into battalions or squadrons, battalions or squadrons into regiments, regiments into brigades, and brigades into divisions, whenever in his judgment such organization may be expedient; and whenever brigades or divisions shall be organized, the President shall appoint the commanding officers for such brigades and divisions, subject to the confirmation of Congress, who shall hold their offices only while such brigades and divisions are in service; and the President shall, if necessary, apportion the staff and general officers among the respective States from which the volunteers shall tender their services, as he may deem proper.

SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That whenever the militia or volunteers are called and received into the service of the Confederate States, under the provisions of this act, they shall have the same organization, and shall have the same pay and allowances as may be provided for the regular army; and all mounted non-commissioned officers, privates, musicians and artificers, shall be allowed forty cents per day for the use and risk of their horses; and if any volunteer shall not keep himself provided with a serviceable horse, such volunteer shall serve on foot. For horses killed in action, volunteers shall be allowed compensation according to their appraised value at the date of muster into service.

SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That the field and staff officers of a separate battalion of volunteers shall be one lieutenant colonel or major, one adjutant with the rank of lieutenant, one sergeant-major, one quartermaster- sergeant, and a chief bugler or principal musician, according to corps; and that each company shall be entitled to an additional 2d lieutenant; and that the President may limit the privates in any volunteer company, according to his discretion, at from sixty-four to one hundred.

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SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That when volunteers or militia are called into the service of the Confederate States in such numbers that the officers of the quartermaster, commissary, and medical departments, which may be authorized by law for the regular service, are not sufficient to provide for the supplying, quartering, transporting, and furnishing them with the requisite medical attendance, it shall be lawful for the President to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Congress, as many additional officers of said departments as the service may require, not exceeding one commissary and one quartermaster for each brigade, with the rank of major, and one assistant quartermaster with the rank of captain, one assistant commissary with the rank of captain, one surgeon and one assistant surgeon for each regiment; the said quartermasters and commissaries, assistant quartermasters and commissaries, to give bonds with good sureties for the faithful performance of their duties, the said officers to be allowed the same pay and emoluments as shall be allowed to officers of the same grade in the regular service, and to be subject to the rules and articles of war, and to continue in service only so long as their services may be required in connection with the militia or volunteers.

SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That the President be and he is hereby authorized to purchase or charter, arm, equip and man such merchant vessels and steamships or boats as may be found fit or easily converted into armed vessels, and in such number as he may deem necessary for the protection of the seaboard and the general defence of the country.

APPROVED March 6, 1861.

No. 49.] AN ACT

To repeal so much of the Laws of the Confederate States of
America as prohibit the introduction of Liquors, except
in casks or vessels of or above certain named capacity,
and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That all laws and parts of laws which prohibit the importation into this Confederacy of beer, ale or porter, or distilled spirits, except in casks or vessels not below certain

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prescribed capacities; also all laws requiring loaf and refined sugars to be brought in, in vessels of a certain tonnage, and in packages of certain sizes, be and the same are hereby repealed. And hereafter it shall be lawful to import the same, subject to the payment of the duties prescribed by law, in such quantities as the importer shall choose.

APPROVED March 5, 1861.

No. 50.] AN ACT

To provide for the Registration of Vessels owned in whole
or in part by Citizens of the Confederate States.

The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That all vessels, wherever built, one-fourth or more of which shall be owned by a citizen or citizens of the Confederate States, and commanded by a citizen thereof, shall be registered as a vessel of the Confederacy at the custom-houses thereof: Provided, That a majority in interest of the owners shall consent to such registration, and such vessels be not registered elsewhere.

APPROVED March 6, 1861.

No. 51.] AN ACT

To establish and organize a Bureau in connection with the
Department of the Treasury, to be known as the Lighthouse
Bureau.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States do enact, That there shall be established in connection with the Department of the Treasury a bureau, to be known as the Lighthouse Bureau. The chief officer of such bureau shall

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be a captain or commander of the navy, detailed for this service by order of the President of the Confederate States , who shall receive as his compensation the same pay allowed to officers of the same rank in the navy. There shall be appointed also a chief clerk, with a salary of twelve hundred dollars, and accounting clerk, with a salary of one thousand dollars.

SEC. 2. All lighthouses, light vessels, buoys, and other aids to navigation, all the officers connected therewith, and all matters connected with the construction, repair, illumination, inspection and government thereof, and all duties appertaining to the administration of lighthouse affairs, shall be under the direction and control of the Lighthouse Bureau hereby established, subject at all times to the superintendence of the Secretary of the Treasury.

SEC. 3. The chief of the bureau shall, as soon as possible, divide the sea coasts of the Confederate States into districts not exceeding five in number, as the Secretary of the Treasury may deem expedient, and over each of these districts the President shall appoint an inspector, to be selected from the lieutenants in the navy, who shall discharge all the duties of inspection, survey or otherwise which may be required of him by the chief of the bureau. For these services the inspectors shall receive only their regular pay in the navy.

SEC. 4. The President of the Confederate States may from time to time, at the request of the Secretary of the Treasury, detail one or more of the officers of the engineer corps of the army, to be employed under the direction the Lighthouse Bureau, in superintending the construction or repair of lighthouses or other necessary structures in connection with the lighthouse establishment, or other similar duty assigned by the Lighthouse Bureau in connection therewith.

SEC. 5. The chief of the bureau shall, at least once ever year, make a full report to the Secretary of the Treasury giving a full statement of the operations of the lighthouse establishment. He shall also from time to time give such information to the Secretary of the Treasury as he may require in reference to his bureau.

SEC. 6. All laws and parts of laws contravening the provisions of this act are hereby repealed.

APPROVED March 6, 1861.

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No. 52.] AN ACT

For the establishment and organization of the Army of the
Confederate States of America.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America no enact, That from and after the passage of this act the military establishment of the Confederate States shall be composed of one corps of engineers, one corps of artillery, six regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and of the staff departments already established by law.

SEC. 2. The Corps of Engineers shall consist of one Colonel, four Majors, five Captains, and one company of sappers, miners and pontoniers, which shall consist of ten sergeants or master workmen, ten corporals or overseers, two musicians, and thirty-nine privates of the first class, or artificers, and thirty-nine privates of the second class, or laborers, making in all one hundred.

SEC. 3. The said company shall be officered by one captain of the corps of engineers, and as many lieutenants, to be selected by the President from the line of the army, as he may deem necessary for the service, and shall be instructed in and perform all the duties of sappers, miners and pontoniers, and shall, moreover, under the orders of the chief engineer, be liable to serve by detachments in overseeing and aiding laborers upon fortifications or other works, under the engineer department, and in supervising finished fortifications, as fortkeepers, preventing injury and making repairs.

SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of the colonel of the engineer corps, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, to prescribe the number, quantity, form, dimensions, &c., of the necessary vehicles, arms, pontons, tools, implements, and other supplies for the service of the said company as a body of sappers, miners and pontoniers.

SEC. 5. The Corps of Artillery, which shall also be charged with ordnance duties, shall consist of one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, ten majors, and forty companies of artillerists and artificers, and each company shall consist of one captain, two first lieutenants, one second lieutenant, four sergeants, four corporals, two musicians and seventy privates. There shall also be one adjutant, to be selected by the colonel from the first lieutenants, and one sergeant-major, to be selected from the enlisted men of the corps.

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The President may equip as light batteries, of six pieces each, such of these companies as he may deem expedient, not exceeding four in time of peace.

SEC. 6. Each regiment of infantry shall consist of one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, one major and ten companies; each company shall consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, two second lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, two musicians and ninety privates; and to each regiment there shall be attached one adjutant, to be selected from the lieutenants, and one sergeant major, to be selected from the enlisted men of the regiment.

SEC. 7. The regiment of cavalry shall consist of one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, one major and ten companies, each of which shall consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, two second lieutenants , four sergeants, four corporals, one farrier, one blacksmith, two musicians and sixty privates. There shall also be one adjutant and one sergeant major, to be selected as aforesaid.

SEC. 8. There shall be four brigadier generals, who shall be assigned to such commands and duties as the President may specially direct, and shall be entitled to one aid-de-camp, each, to be selected from the subalterns of the line of the army, who, in addition to their duties as aid-de-camp, may perform the duties of assistants adjutant general.

SEC. 9. All officers of the army shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Congress, and the rank and file shall be enlisted for a term not less than three nor more than five years, under such regulations as may be established.

SEC. 10. No officer shall be appointed in the army until he shall have passed an examination satisfactory to the President, and in such manner as he may prescribe, as to his character and fitness for the service. The President, however, shall have power to postpone this examination for one year after appointment, if in his judgment necessary for the public interest.

SEC. 11. All vacancies in established regiments and corps, to and including the rank of colonel, shall be filled by promotion according to seniority, except in case of disability or other incompetency. Promotions to and including the rank of colonel shall be made regimentally in the infantry and cavalry, in the staff departments, and in the engineers and artillery, according to corps. Appointments to

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the rank of brigadier general, after the army is organized, shall be made by selection from the army.

SEC. 12. The President of the Confederate States is hereby authorized to appoint to the lowest grade of subaltern officers such meritorious non-commissioned officers as may, upon the recommendation of their colonels and company officers, be brought before an army board, specially convened for the purpose, and found qualified for the duties of commissioned officers, and to attach them to regiments or corps, as supernumerary officers, if there be no vacancies: Provided, There shall not be more than one so attached to any one company at the same time.

SEC. 13. The pay of a brigadier general shall be three hundred and one dollars per month. The aid-de-camp of a brigadier general, in addition to his pay as lieutenant, shall receive thirty-five dollars per month.

SEC. 14. The monthly pay of the officers of the corps of engineers shall be as follows: of the colonel, two hundred and ten dollars; of a major, one hundred and sixty-two dollars; of a captain, one hundred and forty dollars; lieutenants serving with the company of sappers and miners, shall receive the pay of cavalry officers of the same grade.

SEC. 15. The monthly pay of the colonel of the corps of artillery shall be two hundred and ten dollars; of a lieutenant-colonel, one hundred and eighty-five dollars; of a major, one hundred and fifty dollars, and when serving on ordnance duty, one hundred and sixty-two dollars; of a captain, one hundred and thirty dollars; of a first lieutenant, ninety dollars; of a second lieutenant, eighty dollars; and the adjutant shall receive, in addition to his pay as lieutenant, ten dollars per month. Officers of artillery serving in the light artillery, or performing ordnance duty, shall receive the same pay as officers of cavalry of the same grade.

SEC. 16. The monthly pay of the officers of the infantry shall be as follows: of a colonel, one hundred and ninety-five dollars; of a lieutenant-colonel, one hundred and seventy dollars; of a major, one hundred and fifty dollars; of a captain, one hundred and thirty dollars; of a first lieutenant, ninety dollars; of a second lieutenant, eighty dollars; the adjutant, in addition to his pay as lieutenant, ten dollars.

SEC. 17. The monthly pay of the officers of the cavalry shall be as follows: of a colonel, two hundred and ten dollars; of a lieutenant- colonel, one hundred and eighty-five dollars; a major, one hundred and sixty-two dollars; a captain,

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one hundred and forty dollars, a first lieutenant, one hundred dollars; a second lieutenant, ninety dollars; the adjutant, ten dollars per month, in addition to his pay as lieutenant.

SEC. 18. The pay of the officers of the general staff, except those of the medical department, shall be the same as that of officers of cavalry of the same grade. The surgeon-general shall receive an annual salary of three thousand dollars, which shall be in full of all pay and allowances, except fuel and quarters. The monthly pay of a surgeon, of ten years' service in that grade, shall be two hundred dollars; a surgeon of less than ten years' service in that grade, one hundred and sixty-two dollars; an assistant surgeon of ten years' service in that grade, one hundred and fifty dollars; an assistant surgeon of five years' service in that grade, one hundred and thirty dollars; and an assistant surgeon of less than five years' service, one hundred and ten dollars.

SEC. 19. There shall be allowed, in addition to the pay hereinbefore provided, to every commissioned officer, except the surgeon-general, nine dollars per month for every five years' service; and to the officers of the army of the United States, who have resigned or may resign to be received into the service of the Confederate States, this additional pay shall be allowed from the date of their entrance into the former service. There shall also be an additional monthly allowance to every general officer commanding in chief a separate army actually in the field, of one hundred dollars.

SEC. 20. The pay of officers as hereinbefore established shall be in full of all allowances, except forage, fuel, quarters and travelling expenses while travelling under orders. The allowance of forage, fuel and quarters shall be fixed by regulations and shall be furnished in kind, except when officers are serving at stations without troops where public quarters cannot be had, in which case they may be allowed, in lieu of forage, eight dollars per month for each horse to which they may be entitled, provided they are actually kept in service and mustered, and quarters may be commuted at a rate to be fixed by the Secretary of War, and fuel at the market price delivered. An officer when travelling under orders shall be allowed mileage at the rate of ten cents per mile.

SEC. 21. In time of war, officers of the army shall be entitled to draw forage for horses, according to grade, as follows: A brigadier- general, four; the adjutant and inspector-general, quartermaster-general, commissary-general, and the

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colonels of engineers, artillery, infantry and cavalry, three each; all lieutenant-colonels and majors, and captains of the general staff, engineer corps, light artillery and cavalry, three each; lieutenants serving in the corps of engineers, lieutenants of light artillery and of cavalry, two each. In time of peace: general and field officers, three; officers below the rank of field officers, in the general staff, corps of engineers, light artillery and cavalry, two; Provided, in all cases that the horses are actually kept in service and mustered. No enlisted man in the service of the Confederate States shall be employed as a servant by any officer of the army.

SEC. 22. The monthly pay of the enlisted men of the army of the Confederate States shall be as follows: That of a sergeant or master workman of the engineer corps, thirty-four dollars; that of a corporal or overseer, twenty dollars; privates of the first class, or artificers, seventeen dollars; and privates of the second class, or laborers, and musicians, thirteen dollars. The sergeant-major of cavalry, twenty-one dollars; first sergeants, twenty dollars; sergeants, seventeen dollars; corporals, farriers and blacksmiths, thirteen dollars; musicians, thirteen dollars; and privates, twelve dollars. Sergeants-major of artillery and infantry, twenty-one dollars; first sergeants, twenty dollars each; sergeants, seventeen dollars; corporals and artificers, thirteen dollars; musicians, twelve dollars; and privates eleven dollars each. The non-commissioned officers, artificers, musicians and privates serving in light batteries shall receive the same pay as those of cavalry.

SEC. 23. The President shall be authorized to enlist as many master armorers, master carriage-makers, master blacksmiths, armorers, carriage-makers, blacksmiths, artificers, and laborers, for ordnance service, as he may deem necessary, not exceeding in all one hundred men, who shall be attached to the corps of artillery. The pay of a master armorer, master carriage-maker, master blacksmith, shall be thirty-four dollars per month; armorers, carriage-makers and blacksmiths, twenty dollars per month; artificers, seventeen dollars, and laborers, thirteen dollars per month.

SEC. 24. Each enlisted man of the army of the Confederate States shall receive one ration per day, and a yearly allowance of clothing, the quantity and kind of each to be established by regulations from the War Department, to be approved by the President.

SEC. 25. Rations shall generally be issued in kind, but

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under circumstances rendering a commutation necessary. The commutation value of the ration shall be fixed by regulations of the War Department, to be approved by the President.

SEC. 26. The officers appointed in the army of the Confederate States by virtue of this act, shall perform all military duties to which they may be severally assigned by authority of the President, and it shall be the duty of the Secretary of War to prepare and publish regulations, prescribing the details of every department in the service, for the general government of the army, which regulations shall be approved by the President, and when so approved shall be binding.

SEC. 27. All officers of the quartermaster's and commissary departments shall, previous to entering on the duties of their respective offices, give bonds with good and sufficient sureties to the Confederate States, in such sum as the Secretary of War shall direct, fully to account for all moneys and public property which they may receive.

SEC. 28. Neither the quartermaster-general, the commissary-general, nor any or either of their assistants, shall be concerned, directly or indirectly, in the purchase or sale of any articles intended for, making a part of, or appertaining to public supplies, except for and on account of the Confederate States; nor shall they, or either of them, take or apply to his or their own use any gain or emolument for negotiating any business in their respective departments, other than what is or may be allowed by law.

SEC. 29. The Rules and Articles of War established by the laws of the United States of America for the government of the army are hereby declared to be of force, except that wherever the words "United States" occur, the words "Confederate States" shall be substituted therefor; and except that the articles of war numbers sixty-one and sixty-two are hereby abrogated, and the following articles substituted therefor:

ARTICLE 61. Officers having brevets or commissions of a prior date to those of the corps in which they serve will take place on courts martial or of inquiry, and on boards detailed for military purposes, when composed of different corps, according to the ranks given them in their brevet or former commissions, but in the regiment, corps, or company to which such officers belong, they shall do duty and take rank, both in courts and on boards as aforesaid, which shall

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be composed of their own corps, according to the commission by which they are there mustered.

ARTICLE 62. If upon marches, guards, or in quarters, different corps shall happen to join or do duty together, the officer highest in rank, according to the commission by which he is mustered in the army, navy, marine corps, or militia, there on duty by orders from competent authority, shall command the whole and give orders for what is needful for the service, unless otherwise directed by the President of the Confederate States in orders of special assignment providing for the case.

SEC. 30. The President shall call into the service of the Confederate States only so many of the troops herein provided for as he may deem the safety of the Confederacy may require.

SEC. 31. All laws or parts of laws of the United States, which have been adopted by the Congress of the Confederate States, repugnant to or inconsistent with this act, are hereby repealed.

APPROVED March 6, 1861.

No. 53.] AN ACT

To create the Clerical Force of the several Executive Departments
of the Confederate States of America, and for other
purposes.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the clerical force of the several departments of the Confederate States of America shall consist of the following officers: To the State Department there shall be one chief clerk, at a salary of fifteen hundred dollars per annum, and one clerk, at a salary of twelve hundred dollars per annum, and also a messenger, whose annual compensation shall be five hundred dollars.

To the Treasury Department there shall be a chief clerk, whose salary shall be fifteen hundred dollars per annum, and three other clerks, who shall receive each twelve hundred dollars per annum; and there shall be one messenger, at an annual compensation of five hundred dollars.

To each of the bureaus of the Treasury Department,

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viz: the comptroller, the auditor, the register and the treasurer, there shall be a chief clerk, whose salaries shall be each fifteen hundred dollars per annum; and to all of said bureaus there shall be twenty-two clerks, eleven of whom shall receive salaries of twelve hundred dollars each per annum, and eleven shall receive salaries of one thousand dollars each per annum; and the said Secretary of the Treasury shall have power to distribute said twenty-two clerks among the said bureaus, as in his judgment will best subserve the public interest; and to each of the offices of comptroller, auditor, register and treasurer, there shall be a messenger, with an annual salary of five hundred dollars.

To the War Department there shall be a chief of the bureau of war, at an annual salary of three thousand dollars, and five clerks, who shall each receive twelve hundred dollars per annum; and one of them may be appointed disbursing clerk, with an additional salary of six hundred dollars, who shall give bond with sureties to be approved by the Secretary of War. There shall also be one messenger, whose compensation shall be five hundred dollars per annum. And to all of the bureaus of the War Department, viz: the adjutant and inspector general, quartermaster general, the commissary general, the surgeon general, the chief engineer and the artillery, there shall be fourteen clerks, seven of whom shall receive each a salary of twelve hundred dollars, and seven a salary each of one thousand dollars per annum.

And the Secretary of War is hereby authorized to assign said clerks to duty in the respective offices enumerated, as in his judgment will best promote the public service. And to each of said named bureaus, except the office of surgeon general, there shall be, if deemed necessary by the Secretary of War, a messenger, at an annual compensation of five hundred dollars.

To the Post-Office Department there shall be an assistant postmaster general, with a salary of three thousand dollars per annum, and a chief clerk at a salary of fifteen hundred dollars per annum, and ten other clerks, five of whom shall receive salaries each of twelve hundred, and five shall receive salaries each of one thousand dollars per annum. And there shall be one messenger, at an annual salary of five hundred dollars.

To the Department of Justice there shall be an assistant attorney-general at a salary of twenty-five hundred dollars per annum, and one clerk whose annual salary shall be

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twelve hundred dollars, and also a messenger at a salary of five hundred dollars.

SEC. 2. The annual salaries of the assistant secretary of state, the assistant secretary of the treasury, the comptroller, the auditor, the register and the treasurer shall each be the sum of three thousand dollars per annum.

SEC. 3. The President of the Confederate States of America is hereby authorized to appoint or employ in his official household the following officers, to-wit: one private secretary, at an annual salary of twelve hundred dollars, and one messenger, at an annual salary of five hundred dollars.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That the Secretaries of State, Treasury, War, Navy, Attorney-General, and Postmaster-General are hereby authorized to employ such other clerical force in their respective departments as the exigencies of the public service may absolutely require, being limited in the compensation to the lower grade of salary for clerks provided for in this bill; they are also empowered to employ such laborers for their respective offices as may be required, not exceeding one for each of the executive departments, and whose compensation shall not exceed one dollar and fifty cents per day.

APPROVED March 7, 1861.

No. 54.] A RESOLUTION

In relation to International Copyrights.

WHEREAS, Great Britain, France, Prussia, Saxony and other European Powers have passed laws to secure to authors of other States, the benefits and privileges of their copyright laws, upon condition of similar privileges being granted by the laws of such States to authors, the subjects of the powers aforesaid, therefore be it

Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States of America, That the President be and he is hereby authorized to instruct the Commissioners appointed by him, to visit the European Powers, to enter into treaty obligations for the extension of international copyright privileges to all authors, the citizens and subjects of the powers aforesaid.

APPROVED March 7, 1861.

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No. 55.] AN ACT

To create the clerical force of the Navy Department.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the clerical force of the Navy Department shall consist of one chief clerk, at a salary of fifteen hundred dollars per annum, who shall also perform the duties of disbursing agent and corresponding clerk of said department, and receive therefor an extra compensation of six hundred dollars per annum; and also three other clerks, two of whom shall receive a salary each of twelve hundred dollars per annum, and one a salary of one thousand dollars per annum; and there shall be attached to said department a messenger, whose annual compensation shall be five hundred dollars.

APPROVED March 8, 1861.

No. 56.] A RESOLUTION

To continue the Mints at New Orleans and Dahlonega.

The Congress of the Confederate States of America do resolve, That the mints at New Orleans and Dahlonega shall be continued, and the proper arrangements made as soon as possible to procure suitable dies for the coin of the Confederate States.

Resolved further, That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to estimate and report to Congress the lowest amount of appropriation necessary to carry out the above resolution.

APPROVED March 9, 1861.

No. 57.] AN ACT

To admit certain materials free of Duty for the construction
of Telegraph Lines from Savannah, in the State of Georgia,
to Fort Pulaski, and from Mobile, in the State of Alabama,
to Fort Morgan.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That certain cable wire and other materials for

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the construction of a telegraph line between the city of Savannah, in the State of Georgia, and Fort Pulaski, in the same State, which may be imported by C. C. Walden, the contractor for said line, be admitted free of duty, upon satisfactory proof being submitted to the collector of the port of Savannah that the materials herein designated are imported for and applied to the construction of the said telegraphic line.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the materials necessary to construct a telegraphic line from Mobile to Fort Morgan may also be imported free of duty.

APPROVED March 9, 1861.

No. 58.] AN ACT

To authorize the Issue of Treasury Notes, and to prescribe
the Punishment for forging the same, and for forging certificates
of Stock, Bonds, or Coupons.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the President of the Confederate States of America is hereby authorized to cause Treasury notes to be issued for such sum or sums as the exigencies of the public service may require, but not to exceed at any time one million of dollars, and of denominations not less than fifty dollars for any such note, to be prepared, signed and issued in the manner hereinafter provided.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That such Treasury notes shall be paid and redeemed by the Confederate States at the Treasury thereof, after the expiration of one year from the dates of said notes, from which dates they shall bear interest at the rate of one cent per day for every hundred dollars issued: Provided, That after the maturity of any of said notes, interest thereon shall cease at the expiration of sixty days' notice of readiness to pay and redeem the same, which may at any time or times be given by the Secretary of the Treasury, in one or more newspapers published at the seat of Government. The payment or redemption of said notes herein provided shall be made to the lawful holders thereof respectively, upon presentment at the Treasury, and shall include the principal of each note and the interest which shall be due thereon. And for such payment and redemption, at the

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time or times herein specified, the faith of the Confederate States of America is hereby pledged.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That such Treasury notes shall be prepared under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, and shall be signed, in behalf of the Confederate States of America, by the Treasurer thereof, and countersigned by the Register of the Treasury. Each of these officers shall keep in a book or books provided for that purpose, separate, full and accurate accounts showing the number, date, amount and rate of interest of each Treasury note signed and countersigned by them respectively; and also similar accounts showing all such notes as may be paid, redeemed and cancelled, as the same may be returned, all which accounts shall be carefully preserved in the Treasury Department. And the Treasurer shall account quarterly for all such Treasury notes as shall have been countersigned by the Register, and delivered to the Treasurer for issue.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized, with the approbation of the President, to cause such portion of said Treasury notes as may be deemed expedient to be issued by the Treasurer in payment of warrants in favor of public creditors or other persons lawfully entitled to such payment who may choose to receive such notes in payment at par. And the Secretary of the Treasury is further authorized, with the approbation of the President, to borrow from time to time such sums of money, upon the credit of such notes, as the President may deem expedient: Provided, That no Treasury notes shall be pledged, hypothecated, sold or disposed of in any way, for any purpose whatever, either directly or indirectly, for any sum less than the amount of such notes, including the principal and interest thereof.

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That said Treasury notes shall be transferable, by assignment endorsed thereon by the person to whose order the same shall be made payable, accompanied together with the delivery of notes so assigned.

SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That said Treasury notes shall be received by the proper officers in payment of all duties and taxes laid by the authority of the Confederate States of America, of all public lands sold by said authority, and of all debts to the Confederate States of America, of any character whatever, which may be due and payable at the time when said Treasury notes may be offered in payment thereof, except the export duty on cotton; and upon every such payment

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credit shall be given for the amount of principal and interest, if any, due on the note or notes received in payment on the day when the same shall have been received by such officer.

SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That every collector of the customs, receiver of public moneys, or other officer or agent of the Confederate States of America, who shall receive any Treasury note or notes in payment on account of the Confederate States of America, shall take from the holder of such note or notes a receipt upon the back of each, stating distinctly the date of such payment and the amount allowed upon such note; and every such officer or agent shall keep regular and specific entries of all Treasury notes received in payment showing the person from whom received, the number, date and amount of principal and interest, if any, allowed on each and every Treasury note received in payment, which entries shall be delivered to the Treasury, with the Treasury note or notes mentioned therein, and if found correct such officer or agent shall receive credit for the amount.

SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury be and he is hereby authorized to make and issue from time to time such instructions, rules and regulations to the several collectors, receivers, depositaries and all others who may be required to receive such treasury notes in behalf of and as agents in any capacity for the Confederate States of America, as to the custody, disposal, canceling and return of any such notes as may be paid to and received by them respectively, and as to the accounts and returns to be made to the Treasury Department of such receipts, as he shall deem best calculated to promote the public convenience and security and to protect the Confederate States of America, as well as individuals, f

Acts and Resolutions of the First Session of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States, Held at Montgomery, ALA. : Electronic Edition.