Mississippi. Legislature. House of Representatives. Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi, Called Session at Columbus, February and March, 1865.

Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi, Called Session at Columbus,
February and March, 1865:
Electronic Edition.

Mississippi. Legislature. House of Representatives.

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Source Description:
(title page) Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi, Called Session at Columbus, February and March, 1865.
111p.
Meridian, Miss.
J. J. Shannon & Co., State Printers.
1865.

Call number 1670conf Feb.-March, 1865 (Rare Book Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

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JOURNAL
OF THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI,
CALLED SESSION AT COLUMBUS,
FEBRUARY AND MARCH, 1865.

MERIDIAN, MISS.
J. J. SHANNON & CO., STATE PRINTERS.
1865.

Page 3

HOUSE JOURNAL.

MONDAY, February 20th, 1865.

At a called session of the Legislature of the State of Mississippi, convened at Columbus, on Monday the twentieth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in compliance with the Constitution of the State and the Laws in conformity therewith, and in the sovereignty of the State the 48th, and in the 5th year of the Independence of the Confederate States of America.

The place of meeting of the Legislature having been changed from the Capitol of the State to Columbus by virtue of the following proclamation of His Excellency, the Governor, to wit:

PROCLAMATION.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Macon, Miss.

WHEREAS, the destitution of a portion of the people calls for immediate relief, and other matters of importance to the State demand prompt legislative action; and whereas the city of Jackson remains dangerous from the proximity of the enemy, therefore, I, Charles Clark. Governor of Mississippi, do direct that the Legislature of the State convene at Columbus, Mississippi, on Monday the 20th day of February 1865.

Given under my hand and the great seal of State L. S. affixed, this 19th day of January, A. D. 1865.

CHAS. CLARK.
By the Governor.

C. A. BROUGHER, Secretary of State.

Be it remembered, that on the day and year aforesaid, being the time and place for the assembling of the Legislature of Mississippi, in conformity to the Constitution and Laws of the State; and the proclamation of the Governor aforesaid, the House was called to order at 12 M., in the Baptist

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Church, being the house designated for the assemblage of the same by Robert C. Miller, Clerk.

The Speaker being absent, on motion of Mr. Yandell, Hon. R. Seal, of Harrison, was called to the Chair.

Prayer by Rev. Dr. Lyon, of the Presbyterian church.

Upon a call of the roll, thirty Representatives answered to the their names. No quorom being present.

On motion of Mr. Murdock, the House adjourned until 3 1-2 o'clock, P. M.

3 1-2 O'CLOCK, P. M.

House met pursuant to adjournment.

Hon. L. E. Houston, Speaker, in the chair.

Mr. Shelley introduced Messrs. Bromley of Itawamba and Dancer of Tippah, elected to fill vacancies in their respective counties, who took the oath of office and entered upon the discharge of their duties.

Upon a call of the roll forty four Representatives answered to their names.

No quorum being present, upon motion of Mr. Upshaw the House adjourned until to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock.

TUESDAY, February 21st, 1865.

House met.

Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Stainback of C. P. church.

Upon call of the roll 47 members answered to their names.

No quorum being present, on motion of Mr. Seal of Harrison, the Sergeant-at-arms was instructed to bring in absentees. Two other members answering to their names and there being still no quorum

On motion of Mr. Seal of Harrison, the House adjourned until 3 1-2 P. M.

3 1-2 CLOCK, P. M.

House met.

Upon call of the roll 58 members answered to their names.

Mr. Reagan offered the following resolutions, which were adopted:

Resolved, That the Clerk inform the Senate that the House is now organized and ready to proceed to business.

Resolved, That a committee of five on the part of the

Page 5

House, and----on the part of the Senate, be appointed to wait on His Excellency, the Governor, and inform him that the two Houses are now organized and ready to receive any communications he may have to make.

The Speaker appointed as said committee, on the part of the House, Messrs. Reagan, Staples, Eskridge, Gray and Bromley.

The following message was received from the Senate, through their Secretary, Mr. Porter.

MR. SPEAKER--I am instructed to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has been organized by the election of D. R. Corly as Door-keeper, and are now ready to proceed to business.

Mr. Johnson, of Desoto, by leave introduced a bill to be entitled "An Act to authorize the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate to appoint Messengers between the two bodies," which was on his motion, under a suspension of the rules, read three several times, and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Reagan offered joint resolutions of thanks, &c., to Maj. Gen. N. B. Forrest, and on his motion the constitutional rule was suspended and the resolutions read second time and adopted.

The following message was received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER--The Senate have concurred in the joint resolutions of the House, appointing joint committee to wait on His Excellency, the Governor, &c., and have filled the blank in said resolution with three. Messrs. Hamilton, Moore and Griffin have been appointed as said committee on the part of the Senate.

Mr. Tindall offered the following resolution:

Resolved, The Senate concurring, that a committee of five on the part of the House, and ---- on the part of the Senate, be appointed to report on the justice and propriety of increasing the compensation of the members of the Legislature during the present session.

Mr. Murdock offered the following as a substitute:

Resolved, That the Judiciary Committee be instructed to examine and report whether it is within the power of this Legislature to pass any law by which the members can receive a sufficient amount of compensation to enable them to pay board bills while attending the sessions.

On motion of Mr. Rucks the substitute was laid upon the table.

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On motion of Mr. Tindall the rule was suspended, resolution, was read second time and adopted.

Mr. Barnett offered series of resolutions in relation to Gen. Jos. E. Johnston, which were adopted.

Mr. Brown asked and obtained leave of absence for the remainder of the day.

Mr. Reagan, from joint committee to wait on the Governor reported that they had discharged the duty assigned them, and that the Governor would communicate his message in writing, and on his motion the report was received and agreed to.

Mr. Yandell asked and obtained leave to refer a bill without reading, to the Committee on Military Affairs.

The following message was received from His Excellency, the Governor, through His private secretary, Mr. Poindexter.

GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
COLUMBUS, MISS., February 20, 1865.

Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives:

Having convened you under circumstances that subject you to great inconvenience and discomfort, I shall omit many subjects which I desire to bring to the attention of the Legislature hereafter, and confine myself in this communication to those only which I deem necessary for your present action, and this I propose to do briefly and practically.

DESTITUTE FAMILIES.

The scarcity of provisions in some parts of our State, and the difficulty of transportation have already caused some distress and threaten great suffering, especially to that class who are your peculiar care--the families of our soldiers. The apparently liberal contributions heretofore made by you will not suffice. Where the want is the greatest your money is of least value, and those who have hoarded supplies will not sell. In some parts the partial failure of the corn crop, and in others the incursions of the enemy, and the consumption by our own army, have drained the country and raised prices to fabulous rates. The destruction of locomotives and cars on our railroads, and the impossibility of repairing

Page 7

them have so impaired their efficiency as to disable them at times from transporting all the freight offered. Our public officers, charged with supplying the destitute, are not as vigilant and pertinacious as the speculators and others engaged in remunerative business, and the latter control the roads to the exclusion of the former. Legislation can apply a remedy for this. The railroad companies, although private corporations, have certain duties to perform as public carriers, and as such are liable to legislative regulation. Their charters were granted to advance great public interests. Their franchises were given upon condition that they would subserve those interests; and what those interests are, it is for you and the courts of the country to determine. The first of these is to feed the people. To effect this, I shall, without discussion, recommend for your consideration the following measures:

That the exclusive and unlawful preference given to express companies, be forbidden, or limited to articles of small bulk or great value. That public officers in charge of stores for the destitute shall have preference, and shall be entitled to transportation for their freight on reasonable notice.

That citizens shipping for their own use, by themselves or agents, and not for speculation or sale, shall be next in order of privilege, the amount of transportation demanded being reasonable, and the facts alleged established by proof if required.

That the power of impressment of engines as well as cars, be vested in the Governor. The power now extends only to the cars.

That it be made a criminal offense for any officer or employee of a railroad to refuse to discharge his duties connected with engines and cars so impressed.

I am no enemy to railroads. I have no insane hatred of corporations. Corporate franchises are necessary to all great works of public improvement created by private capital.

But I do oppose their abuses, and advocate the right and duty of the State, by whose grant they have extraordinary powers to superintend the exercise of those powers and see that they are not abused. This can be done through the courts, but [illegible] further legislation is necessary to make this supervision [illegible]

The[illegible](Revised Code, chap. 35) as to remedies for forfeiture of charter provides that the district attorney may proceed by information &c. He should be compelled to proceed

Page 8

upon a reasonable showing--or upon the order of the Governor upon a showing before him. The courts after judgment of forfeiture or ouster, have the power to appoint trustees. They should have the power, in proper cases, to appoint trustees on the first hearing of the petition, and in case of railroads, to transfer the full possession, management and control, to the trustees until the final hearing and trial.

Instances of extortion and other causes of forfeiture, have been stated to me, which, if proved to my satisfaction, would have been sufficient cause for proceedings; and would have been instituted regardless of the threats sometimes made that the company would, if interfered with, abandon their road to its fate. It is for you to make the inquiry, and provide the remedy either such as are above indicated, or by indictment or otherwise as your wisdom may determine.

As the wants of the needy cannot otherwise be supplied, I recommend to your consideration a reasonable tax in kind on grain, and the power of impressment at prices to be fixed by commissioners.

I see no constitutional objection to either. Both have been exercised by the Confederate government, and have been held to be constitutional Your powers are granted by a constitution, and these are not prohibited to you.

I recommend also an increase of the tax for the benefit of indigent families to such amount as your more intimate acquaintance with the wants and means of your constituents may warrant. There is no subject in which I feel a deeper interest than this, cut off as we are by physical disability, or by our public duties and responsibilities, from the glorious privilege of fighting the battles of our country, we may yet perform an acceptable service by providing and caring for the loved families of our brave soldiers who are fighting those battles for us.

EDUCATION OF SOLDIERS' CHILDREN.

Under the resolution passed and approved August 13th, 1864, Rt. Rev. Wm. M. Green, Hon. Wm. L. Sharkey, Hon. A. H. Handy, R't Rev'd Rob't Paine, R't Rev'd W. H. Elder, Rev'd John Hunter, Rev'd George C. Harris, Rev'd T. W. Caskey, Rev'd D. E. Burns, Rev'd T. G. Burney, Rev'd P. P. Neeley, D. D., Rev'd James A. Lyon. D. D., Rev'd Dan'l P. Bestor, Major J. N. Harper, Hon. E. J. Goode, Hon. George H. Gordon, Hon. George Torrey, Hon. John J. McRae, Hon. J. M. Howry, Hon. E. S. Fisher, were appointed commissioners

Page 9

to procure donations and subscriptions, and to report a plan for the education of the children of our soldiers.

They were to have convened at Jackson on 4th January last, but only a minority were present. Under a subsequent order of the chairman, the commissioners were to have met at Jackson on the 15th instant, and I hope to receive their report in time to lay it before you for your consideration. It is not too early to commence the great and good work contemplated in the resolutions. All that is desired may not be effected, but you may secure the means of education to thousands of those whose claims upon the State cannot be disregarded.

It is hoped that the commissioners will, with the powerful aid of the reverend clergy, canvass the State for donations and subscriptions of money and property. By this means, millions may be placed in the treasury, to be appropriated to education. I recommend that there be also raised for this purpose, annually, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars by taxation, and that the commissioners be authorized to receive the sum of five millions of dollars, in donations or loans to the State, the amounts lent to be rapid to the lender, after -- years from the termination of the war without interest. The absolute donation, and the interest, say ten percent. per annum one the loans, to be the school fund to be expended. You should, at this session, provide for the raising and appropriation of this fund.

STATE TROOPS AND MILITIA.

All the State troops, except two companies under Major Montgomery, have been reporting to Confederate commanders. I have proposed to transfer the whole force to the Confederate service in their present organization, subject to consolidation and reorganization under the acts of Congress; but the proposition has not yet been accepted. Chief Justice Handy, in a case lately tried before him, decided that men in the military service of the State, between the ages of 18 and 45 years were liable to conscription. The offer to transfer these troops was made before the decision referred to. I have given notice that so soon as the troops can be mustered by the Confederate officers for payment they will be transferred, with their consent, or discharged from State service.

But little pay is due these volunteers from the State. They have been long since virtually transferred, except two companies of Major Montgomery's battalion, which, at the

Page 10

urgent request of the citizens on the Mississippi river, were sent back last fall to the county of Bolivar, for the protection of the people in that and the adjoining counties from raiding parties of the enemy.

An appeal has been taken to the high court from the decision of the chief justice. I could not recognize the political doctrine therein expressed, and on which it is founded, that the reserved right of the State to keep troops in time of war, could be abrogated by an act of Congress. If all men between the ages of seventeen and fifty years were, by the act of Congress of the 17th of Feb'ry, 1864, and previons acts, "potentially in the Confederate army," many of your most important civil, officers are subject to be withdrawn from their duties, and hold their offices at the will of the President alone.

The militia are now the only troops left us to enforce the laws, and to protect the inhabitants against dangers at home. These if properly organized may be made effective for this purpose. The popular objection to the militia system arises not from the enforcement of the law but the failure to enforce it. When the call was made last summer, to repel the threatened invasion of the enemy, the men from some portions of the State responded en masse, and a large force was organized, armed, equipped and ready, in a few days to meet it; but there were thousands who disobeyed the call, and from some counties not a man responded.

The statute requires that the defaulters should be "arrested and brought before a court martial for trial." This could only be done by a military force and there was none under my control that could be used for this purpose, as I could not call out the militia except in case of "an emergency arising from an invasion or threatened invasion of the State by the enemy." General court martials were organized, but no officers could be found to execute even a summons, as it was not made by law the duty of the Sheriff or other civil officers. I recommend therefore that this defect be remedied by imposing on Sheriffs and constables, as well as military officers, the duty of serving and returning every summons, supoena, or other writ issued by a court martial; that the courts be authorized to proceed without the arrest, and to impose the penalties; the sentences to be executed by the civil or military officers to whom the writ is addressed or in whose hands it may be placed. Charges have been preferred against the delinquents reported to the courts, and they may still be tried and punished.

Page 11

I recommend also a repeal of the clause which limits the term of service to thirty days, and that the Governor be authorized to call out all or any part of the militia when the public interest may require such service. Without this the laws cannot be enforced. The country is filled with deserters and marauders. Crimes are daily committed and the offenders escape punishment.

I have made arrangements with the Confederate authorities for forage and rations, in all parts of the State, and propose, immediately upon your granting the authority to call out the whole militia, for the purpose of apprehending deserters, and of clearing the State of the robbers and plunderers who infest it.

EXEMPTS.

The number of civil officers, especially of justice of the peace and constables; in the State is greater than is required for the due enforcement of the laws. You can diminish the list and place a battalion in the field, The Constitution does not specify what number of justices of the peace and constables shall be elected in each county. You can limit the number, and I recommend that this be now done, and the counties districted anew. The offices of the present incumbents may be terminated by virtue of the amendment to the Constitution adopted in convention January 20, 1861. I respectfully call your attention to this subject, and recommend it to your serious consideration. In one county there are more than fifty justices and constables, and if the official duties performed by them all were imposed on one man, he would not be overburdened. From two to four justices and half as many constables would be sufficient to transact all the business pertaining to these offices in any county, and the duties would be performed efficiently.

OFFICIAL REPORTS.

I shall, at an early day of your session, have the honor to lay before you reports from the Auditor of Puche Accounts, the State Treasurer, the commissioners to examine the Auditor's and Treasurer's offices, the commissioners to examine the executive and military offices, the annual and special reports from the Quartermaster General, Surgeon General, Chief of Ordnance, Keeper of the Capitol, and from the Asylums, State Distillery, and State Salt Works.

CRIMES.

A more vigorous enforcement of the criminal laws should

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be provided for. In some counties near the enemies lines, the courts cannot be held; in others, the judges neglect their duties. I recommend the establishment of inferior courts of criminal jurisdiction, embracing these counties and those adjoining where the courts may be safely held. The Consttution does not require that an offender shall be tried in the county where the offence was committed, but by a jury of that county. Let the courts be in frequent session, that criminals may have speedy trial and swift punishment.

I also reeommend that civil actions against defaulting tax collectors and other debtors to the State may be instituted and tried in any county in the district in which the party resides, or in an adjoining district, at the discretion of the Attorney general.

PENITENTIARY.

Until you see proper to authorize the rebuilding of the Penitentiary. I advise that such change be made in the statutes as to impose all the duties now performed by the superintendent, clerk, and inspectors, on one officer. The prisoners being confined in jails and in the penitentiary of Alabama, there is no necessity for the corps of saleried officers and employees now authorized. One officer reporting directly to the governor will be sufficient. As some of the jails in which convicts are confined are insecure and unsafe, power should be given to remove them to places of security, and to pay the expenses out of the penitentiary fund, which will be ample for the purpose.

NEGRO ENLISTMENTS.

I cordially united with the Governors of Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at Augusta in October last, in recommending the policy of employing a large force of negroes in the army as teamsters and laborers, or in any capacity in which they might be found effective. Whatever may be the public opinion on this subject, I hesitate not to declare mine, that, with competent officers and firm discipline, they can be made effective soldiers; and that the experiment should now be made. The whole argument is summed up in a remark attributed to one of our most distinguished leaders: "If we do not use them the enemy will." The greatest objection comes from our people near the lines of the enemy, who allege that the attempt to conscribe them will drive them to the enemy. This may be prevented by the master removing his able-bodied men from such vicinity, and sending them to

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the army. To send cavalry to capture them will produce the effect feared, as has been demonstrated heretofore; and if as is anticipated, Congress passes a bill authorizing a conscription of negros, either as laborers or as soldiers, owners near the line should immediately remove them. It would be well that all able bodied male slaves between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years should be so removed; as, if only a part are taken, the remainder, through fear would endeavor to escape. We forced the removal or destruction of cotton to prevent it falling into the hands of the enemy; why, then, not remove that property of which they have made such fearful use? I do not, however, favor the granting of freedom to slaves, or of offering it as a boon. It is no boon to them. Few of them aspire to this, or covet it. Steady, firm, but kind discipline, such as good masters enforce, is all that is required. Freedom would be a curse to them and to the country. These views I expressed to our delegation in Congress in November last, and I state them here, as I deem it the duty of all who have been placed in prominent position to candidly avow their opinions at this time upon the vital questions which agitate the public mind.

CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY.

I cannot conclude this message without alluding briefly to the condition of the country. In the late gloom and depression, when all desired peace, it is not matter of astonishment that the timid and averacious should have abated their former honorable demands, and that a few, encouraged by the apparant despondency, should have dared to utter their sentiments of disloyalty. The clamor for negotiation was raised. This righteous war for the defence of our libertie was denounced, and those who had not the manliness to approve it, or the courage to meet its dangers, began openly to congratulate themselves that their prophecies of final disaster were about to be fulfilled. Some who cried so lustily for peace, and denounced the President for not making overtures, would have accepted peace on any terms short of the loss of property.

Our enemies, presuming on the alleged obstinacy of President Davis, thought to profit by the occasion, and sent emissaries to Richmond to foster this disaffection, by pretended offers of negotiation. They were wisely met and foiled. Negotiation has but demonstrated the folly of negotiation at such a juncture. Able and patriotic men, known to be the friends of peace, headed by the great apostle of negotiations, have concluded their labors, and have brought back to us the

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terms--unconditional submission--absolute subjection to the will of their President and their Congress. The proposition is made to Mississippi, and to each State separately, to desert the ranks of her Confederates to whose cause her people have pledged "their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor," a cause holy in our eyes as it it just in the sight of Heaven, the cause of right, of equality, of free government. Let us congratulate the country that the issue is now fairly made--victory of subjugation--freedom or slavery. Our people are ready to meet the issue, and I recommend that you solemnly and firmly declare that Mississippi will be true to her plighted faith to her sister Confederates, and will conquer or perish with them. That we will never again submit to the exactions and extortions of the North to maintain their interests at the expense of ours; never will submit to pay the cost of our own capture and of the chains with which we are to be bound, and that rather than abandon our cherished and christian institution of domestic slavery, we will send our servants with our sons to the battle field, to fight for our right to protect and guard them against their worst enemies. Your resolutions will be responded to by the defiant shouts of the army and the acclamations of the people.

The President, pursuant to a resolution of Congress, has appointed Friday the 10th of March next, as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, (with thanksgiving) for invoking the favor of Almighty God.

I recommend that you also join in the invitation to its observance. Let the nation bow its knee to the Almighty. To Him we look for help in time of trouble. "He is able to save and strong to deliver." Let us put our trust in Him, and thus confiding renew the battle.

CHARLES CLARK, Governor.

On motion of Mr. Arnold, the message was laid on the table, and five hundred copies ordered to be printed for the use of the House.

On motion of Mr. Reagan, the message was made the special order for to-morrow, Wednesday, 22d, at 12 M.

Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That Brigadier General J. R. Chalmers be invited to address the Legislature, at such time as may suit his convenience, and that the use of this hall be tendered him for that purpose.

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Mr. Reagan offered a series of joint resolutions, declaratory of the determination of Mississippi, on the prosecution of the war. Read first time, and placed on the calendar.

On motion of Mr. Hendon, the House adjourned until 10 o'clock, A. M.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1865.

House met pursuant to adjournment.

Prayer by Rev. Dr. Lyon.

Journal of yesterday read and approved.

The following message was received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER: The Senate have passed a bill entitled "An act to change the name of Frances R. Blackmar, of Hinds county, in which the concurrence of the House is desired; and have passed House bill entitled "An act to authorize the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate to appoint messengers between the two Houses."

Mr. Brown offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the ministers of this city be invited to open the sessions of this House, each morning, with prayer, and that the clerk communicate this resolution to them.

Mr. lrby asked an indefinite leave of absence for Mr. Maxwell, on account of ill health, which was granted.

Mr. Bestor, by leave, introduced a joint resolution in relation to School Commissioners, which was read twice, under a suspension of the rules, and adopted.

Being the regular day for the call of counties, Mr. Liddell presented the petition of O. L. Kimbrough, of Carroll county, which, on his motion, was referred, without reading, to the Committee on Judiciary.

Mr. Allen presented the petition of J. P. McCracken, of DeSoto county, which, on his motion, was referred, without reading, to the Committee on Judiciary.

Mr. Seal, of Hancock, introduced a bill, entitled "An act to remove the civil disabilities of Evander H. Russ, a minor, of Hancock county," which, on his motion, was read

Page 16

three several times, under a suspension of the constitutional rule, and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Owen presented the petition of Thomas J. Arnold, of Holmes county, which, on his motion, was referred to the Committee on Claims, without reading.

Mr. Barton presented a bill, entitled an "An act for the relief of M. D. Files, former Sheriff of ltawamba county," which, on his motion, with the accompanying documents, was referred to Committee on Propositions and Grievances.

Mr. Isom introduced a bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Henry E. Rosco, executor, &c., of Lafayette county, which, on his motion, was read twice, under a suspension of constitutional rule, and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Mr. Hanson introduced a bill, entitled "An act to repeal an act incorporating the town of Carthage, in the county of Leake, which, on his motion, was read three several times, under a suspension of the constitutional rule, and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Murdock presented the petition of sundry physicians and citizens of Lowndes county, which, on his motion, was referred to special joint committee of five on the part of the House, and -- on the part of the Senate.

Speaker appointed, as said committee, on the part of the House, Messrs. Murdock, Tindall, Anderson, Johnson, of DeSoto, and Gowan.

Mr. Arnold presented the petition of Messrs. Miller and Hemphill, of Lowndes county, which, on his motion, was referred to special joint committee to whom was referred the petition of sundry physicians and druggists of Lowndes county.

Mr. Upshaw introduced a bill, entitled "An act for the relief of the indigent of Marshall county, which, on his motion, was read the second time, under a suspension of the constitutional rule, and referred to special committee of five.

Speaker appointed as said committee: Messrs Upshaw, Lowry, Johnson, of DeSoto, Brown and Gowan.

Mr. Tindall introduced a bill, entitled "An act to change the names of Laura and George Tice, and for other purposes." Read first time.

On motion of Mr. Upshaw, constitutional rule was suspended and bill read second and third times, and passed.

Page 17

Mr. Irby introduced a bill entitled "An act to appoint additional commissioners in districts 1 and 5, of Panola county."

On his motion, constitutional rule was suspended and bill read second time by its title.

Mr. Reagan moved to amend by additional section:

"Be is further enacted, That said additional commissioners provided for in first section shall not be within conscript age."

On motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, the amendment was laid on the table.

Mr. Gowan moved to lay the bill on the table, which was lost.

Mr. Irby moved a suspension of constitutional rule, that the bill be read a third time, with a view to its passage, which was lost.

On motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, the bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Eskridge presented a communication from Major James N. Harper, of Tallahatchie county, with an accompanying bill, entitled "An act to authorize James N. Harper, of Tallahatchie, to manumit male slave Lloyd, for meritorious service." Read first time, and, on his motion, rule suspended and bill read second time.

On motion of Mr. Hicks, bill was referred to Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Johnson of Wilkinson, introduced a bill, entitled an act to remove the civil disabilities of Daniel Cohen, a minor, of Wilkinson county, which, on his motion, was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Johnson, of Wilkinson, introduced a bill entitled "An act to legalize the assessment of taxes for the corporation of the town of Woodville, for the year 1864, which, on his motion, was read three several times, under a suspension of the constitutional rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Brown introduced a bill, entitled "An act to increase the compensation of the Probate Clerk of Winston county.

On his motion, constitutional rule suspended, and bill read second time.

Mr. McElroy moved to insert Newton county.

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Mr. Grace moved to insert Lauderdale county; and,

On motion of Mr. Tindall, bill and amendments were referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, with instructions to report a general bill.

Mr. Barnett introduced a bill, entitled "An act to invest the Probate Court of the county of Yazoo with jurisdiction of the last will and testament of John Campbell, deceased," which, on his motion, was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

The Speaker presented a communication from Jno. Duncan, President of Board of Trustees of the Institution for the Blind, accompanied by a memorial from the Board of Trustees, and report of the Superintendent, which,

On motion of Mr. Reagan, was referred to the Committee on the Institution for the Blind.

Mr. Murdock offered a series of resolutions expressive of the determination of the people of the State of Mississippi to prosecute the war until our independence is gained, which--

On motion of Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, together with previous resolutions of like character, were referred to the Committee on State and Confederate Relations.

Mr. Sutton introduced a bill, to be entitled an act for the relief of E. J. Runnels, Quartermaster of 5th regiment Mississippi State Troops. Read twice, under a suspension of the rule, and, on his further motion, referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. Rucks called up Senate message, being a Senate bill entitled "An act to change the name of Frances R. Blackmar, of Hinds county, which, on his motion, was read three several times, under a suspension of the constitutional rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr Upshaw offered a series of joint resolutions, commendatory of Col. W. S. Lowry, which, on motion of Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, were referred to the Military Committee.

Mr. Cunningham introduced a bill to regulate the fees of jailors, which was referred, without reading, on his motion, to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Reagan called up special order of the day, being the Governor's message.

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On motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, so much in relation to destitute families was referred to special joint committee of nine on the part of the House and -- on the part of the Senate; so much as referred to railroads, same committee; so much relative to the education of soldiers children, referred to Committee on Education.

On motion of Mr. Rucks, so much as referred to appropriation for same be referred to Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Seal of Harrison, so much as referred to State Troops and Militia, be referred to Committee on Military Affairs.

In relation to exempts, to the Committee on Judiciary.

In relation to crimes, to Committee on Judiciary.

To penitentiary, to Committee on Penitentiary.

Negro enlistments, to joint special committee of nine on the part of the House, -- on the part of the Senate.

Condition of the country, to Committee on State and Confederate relations.

On motion of Mr. Rucks Honse adjourned until 3 P. M.

THREE O'CLOCK, P. M.

House met.

Mr. Dancer by leave introduced a bill entitled "An act to authorize the Board of Police of the county of Tippah to borrow money from the Treasurer of the School fund of said county," which on his motion was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Sessions introduced a bill entitled "An act to authorize executor's administrators and guardians to carry on tanneries and for other purposes." Read first time and on his motion, under a suspension of the rule, read a second time, and on motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Mr. Boone offered the following resolution:

Resolved--That the Governor be requested to inform the Legislature what amount of liquor has been manufactured by the State distilleries? What amount has been dispensed to the several counties? What price has been fixed on the same? What amount has been paid into the Treasury under the provisions of the act creating said distilleries? What amount applied for medicinal purposes to the troops of the State? What amount sold to the officers of the Confederate

Page 20

States Government for medicinal purposes? What amount of money has been paid out in establishing said distilleries, and carrying on and conducting the same? What number of men otherwise liable to military duty are employed in, and carrying on and operating the same?

Mr. Barnett offered the following as an amendment, which was adopted:

Resolved--Also to report how the barrels containing said whiskey are obtained, whether by purchase or manufacture, and what the cost from other sources; also to inform the House why they are so imperfectly made as to lose so largely by leakage.

The question recurring on the resolution as amended was adopted.

Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto introduced a bill to be entitled "An act to authorize the State Treasurer to re-issue one hundred and fifty thousand dollars of the Treasury notes of the State, which have been funded in eight per cent. bonds and to destroy a similar amount of the small warrants authorized by the act of April 5th, 1864, and for other purposes," which on his motion was read a second time under a suspension of the rule, by its title, and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The following message was received from the Governor through his Private Secretary.

MR. SPEAKER:--I am instructed by the Governor to inform the House of Representatives that he did on this day approve and sign House bill No. 1, entitled "An act to authorize the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate to appoint messengers between the two bodies.

Mr. Irby introduced a bill to be entitled "An act to amend an act entitled an act to better provide for the families of soldiers, approved Dec. 2d, 1863," which on his motion, was referred to the select committee to whom so much of the Governor's message as relates to indigent families was referred.

Mr. Barton presented the claim of R. Woodfin, of Itawamba county, which on his motion was referred without reading to the Committee on Claims.

On motion of Mr. Reagan, House adjourned until to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock.

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THURSDAY, February 23, 1865.

House met pursuant to adjournment.

Prayer by Rev. Mr. Stainback.

Journal of yesterday read and approved.

The following message was received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER:

The Senate has passed a bill entitled "An act to amend an act entitled an act to authorize the Governor to cause to be prepared and printed a sufficient amount of bonds, bearing 8 per cent. interest, for the purpose of calling in and taking up the notes issued by law for military defense of the State, approved Dec. 5, 1863."

And have adopted the following joint resolution.

Resolved by the Senate, (the House concurring) That that portion of the Governor's message which refers to "destitute families" be referred to a joint select committee consitsing of five on the part of the Senate, and ---- on the part of the House.

Messrs. Moore, Moseley, Taylor, Loper and Quin, have been appointed as said committee on the part of the Senate.

The Senate have concurred in the joint resolution of the House providing a joint select committee to report on the justice and propriety of increasing the compensation of the members of the Legislature during the present session.

Messrs. Simonton, Davis and Taylor, have been appointed as the committee on the part of the Senate, provided for in said resolution.

The following joint standing committees have been appointed on the part of the Senate:

On State and Confederate Relations--Messrs. Yerger, Ellett and Mayson.
On Internal Improvements--Messrs. Messrs. Bradford, Simonton and Quin.
On Claims--Messrs. Taylor, Bowles and Jordan.
On the Penitentiary--Messrs. Luckett, Poindexter and Moseley.
On the Lunatic Asylum--Messrs. Moseley, Poindexter and Brien.
On the Institution of the Blind--Messrs. Simonton, Vaughan and Quin.
On the Institution of the Deaf and Dumb--Messrs. Poindexter, Yerger and Luckett.
On the office of the Auditor of Public Accounts--Messrs. Davis, Quin and Taylor.
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On the office of Secretary of State--Messrs. Hamilton, Griffin and Terry.
On the office of Treasurer, State Commissioner, and Executive Contingent Fund--Messrs. Neely, Bowles and Bradford.
On the State Library--Messrs. Mayson, Quin and Terry.
On Enrolled Bills--Messrs. Patton, Taylor and Griffin.
On Public Buildings--Messrs. Yerger, Luckett and Brien.
On the State University--Messrs. Bowles, Davis and Vaughan.

The Senate have adopted joint resolutions of the House relative to Gen. Soseph E. Johnston, with an amendment thereto, in which the concurrrence of the House is desired:

Mr. Johnson of DeSoto, of Enrolling Committee, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER:--

The Committee on Enrollments have examined a bill entitled "An act to authorize the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate to appoint messengers between the two bodies," and finding the same correctly enrolled, have submitted it to the Governor for his approval and signature.

The Speaker announced the following committees :

Joint special committee to whom so much of the Governor's message as relates to indigant families was referred--Messrs. Seal of Harrison, Bradford, Fort, Murdock, Lowry, Fox, Hanson, Reagan and McLaurin.
Negro Enlistments--Messrs. Seal of Harrison, Anderson, Stephens, Hicks, Johnson of DeSoto, Liddell, Jackson, Lott and Upshaw.

The Speaker announced the following standing committees:

Judiciary--Messrs. Seal of Harrison, Anderson, Hicks, Powe, Lewers, Rucks and Young.
Ways and Means--Messrs. Alcorn, Murdock, Yandell, Cunningham, McLaurin, Tindall and Bestor.
Propositions and Grievances--Messrs. Wells, Brown, Hendon, Sessions, Lott, Moore and Dancer.
Military Affairs--Messrs. Upshaw, Stephens, Jackson, Staples and Grace.
Elections--Messrs. Eskridge, McGehee, Lowry, Irby and Carroll.
Education--Messrs. Bestor, Fort, McNeill, Stubbs of Smith, and McKay of Neshoba.
Corporations--Messrs. Johnson of Wilkinson, Owen, Barton, Gully and Hanson.
County Boundaries--Messrs. McLaurin, Bromley, Pinson, Gray and Hooker.
Public Lands--Messrs. Fox, Morehead, Isom, Rucks and Sutton.
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Unfinished Business--Messrs. Daniel, Liddell, Foxworth, McElroy, Johnson of Tippah, Wynne and Sutton.
State and Confederate Relations--Messrs. Bradford, Hicks, Irby, Barnett and Arnold.
Internal Improvements--Messrs. Alcorn, Fowler, Minter, Gowan and Pruitt.
Claims--Messrs. Murdock, Dillard, Kirk, Buntin and Montgomery.
Penitentiary--Messrs. Rucks, Seal of Hancock, Lott, Morehead and Deason of Copiah.
Lunatic Asylum--Messrs. Liddell, Reagan, Pope, Allen and Shelley.
Institution for the Blind--Messrs. Fox, Falconer, Anderson, Montgomery and Easterling.
Institution for Deaf and Dumb--Messrs. Jackson, Pounds, Archer, Boon and Evans.
Enrolled Bills--Messrs. Johnson of DeSoto, Irby, Powe, Deason of Jones, and Fort.

Mr. Barnett, by leave, amended resolution of House yesterday asking information of the Governor as to the State distilleries, so as to require information of the agent instead of the Governor in relation to the cooperage of the distilleries.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, from Judiciary Committee made the following report, which was received and agreed to.

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee to whom was referred a bill entitled, "An act for the relief of Henry E. Rusco, Executor, etc.," have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the same back with a recommendation that it do pass.

And on his motion bill was read third time and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Shelly introduced a bill entitled,

An act to legalize the assessment roll of Itawamba county, and for other purposes.

Which on his motion was read three several times under a suspension of the rule and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Stubbs, of Smith, introduced a bill entitled,

An act/to authorize the Quartermaster General of the State to pay to the officers and men of the Second Battalion and Sixth Regiment Mississippi State Troops for horses which were killed before they were appraised and valued.

Which on his motion was read second time, under a suspension of the rule, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. Isom offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the Committee on the State University be instructed to report a bill for the better protection of the property of said institution.

Mr. Liddell introduced a bill to be entitled,

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An act to remove the civil disabilities of Emma E. and Walter P. Kennedy, minors of Carroll county, Miss.

Which on his motion was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Yandell offered the following resolution which was adopted:

Resolved, That his Excellency Governor Clark be requested, if it be not incompatible with the public interest, to communicate to this House all information and matters of fact tonching a contract and its execution providing for the importation into the State through the enemy's lines, of cotton cards and medicines.

Mr. Lewers, by leave, introduced a bill to be entitled,

An ac to amend an act entitled,

An act to receive the interest on the school funds belonging to the counties embraced in the Chickasaw Cession, and for other purposes, so far as it relates to the county of Pontotoc and other ounties therein named approved December 2, 1858.

Which on his motion was read a second time, under a suspension of the rule, and, on motion of Mr. McNeil, was referred to the Committee on Education

Mr. Arnold, by leave, introduced a bill to be entitled,

An act to incorporate the "Pioneer Machine Company."

Which on his motion was read second time,

And on motion of Mr. Yandell was referred to Committee on Corporations.

Mr. Seal, of Hancock, by leave, introduced a bill to be entitled,

An act to amend the several acts relative to the swamp and overflowed lands in the counties of Hancock. Marion, Lawrence, Copiah and Simpson.

Which on his motion was read second time and referred to the Committee on Internal Improvements.

Mr. Wells, by leave, introduced a bill to be entitled,

An act for the relief of officers and soldiers in certain cases.

Which on his motion was read second time.

And on motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, referred to Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Wells, by leave, introduced a bill to be entitled,

An act to amend Article 147, Section 32, Chapter 64 and Article 364, Section 70, Chapter 64 of the Revised Code.

Which on his motion was read a second time, under a suspension of the rule.

And on motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Wells, by leave, introduced a bill, to be entitled "An act for the relief of sheriffs," which, on his motion, was read second time, under a suspension of the rule, and, on motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

Page 25

Mr. Upshaw offered the following joint resolution :

Resolved, (the Senate concurring,) That three commissioners be sent by this Legislature to visit the prisons of the United States, where our soldiers and officers are confined, with a view to minister to the comfort and necessities of the soldiers and officers of this State, who are or may be confined in said prisons.

Which, on motion of Mr. Fort, was referred to special committee of five, with instructions to report by bill or otherwise.

The Speaker appointed as said committee Messrs. Fort, Upshaw,, Rucks, Fox and Reagan.

Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, called up Senate message:

Senate bill entitled, "An act to amend an act to authorize the Governor to cause to be prepared and printed a sufficient amount of bonds bearing 8 per cent. interest, for the purpose of calling in and taking up the notes issued by law for military defence of the State," approved December 5, 1868, was read first time, and,

On motion of Mr. Rucks, was read second time under suspension of the rule.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, moved its reference to the Committee on Ways and Means, which was adopted.

Mr. Liddell moved to concur in Senate amendment to House resolutions in relation to Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, which was lost.

The following message was received from the Governor through his private Secretary:

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
COLUMBUS, MISS., February 23, 1865.

Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives:

I herewith transmit for your information reports of Auditor of Public Accounts and of the Treasurer, showing the conditions of their departments on the 25th day of November, 1864, 3d January, 1865, and 15th February, 1865. Also, report of the commissioners appointed by you to examine those offices, their examination having been extended to the 1st October, 1864, on which day the money in the Treasury was counted by them. In the latter part of the month of November, the partial reports made verbally to me by the commissioners caused me to call for full reports from the Auditor and Treasurer of the accounts from the 1st January, 1860, to 25th November, 1864. The report of the Auditor

Page 26

was promptly rendered; that of the Treasurer was delivered to me after the 12th December. On examination and comparison of the report, I informed the Treasurer that the condition of his department was unsatisfactory, and advised him to resign his office. This he agreed to do so soon as he could bring up his books, and I could secure the services of a competent person as his successor. I had then no doubt of the honesty of Col. Haynes, and the commissioners expressed their confidence in his integrity; We did not fear that the funds would be abstracted, but believed that Col. Haynes would do all in his power to rectify the errors pointed out, and this I believe him to have done.

On the 2d January, 1865, he resigned his commission as Treasurer, and I appointed Hon. W. B. Weaver to fill the vacancy. I directed that inventory should be taken by them jointly, of the moneys, books, &c. Hearing next morning of the death of Col. Haynes, I proceeded immediately to the Treasury, locked and sealed up the safes and boxes containing the money, and appointed Messrs. Labauve and Brown to make, in the presence of the new Treasurer, an inventory of the moneys and effects in the Treasury. This was done under my supervision, and a copy of this inventory, signed by the commissioners and receipted by Mr. Weaver, is here with transmitted.

I respectfully recommend that this inventory be directed to be filed in the Auditor's office, and that provision by law be made that the transfer of the offices of the Executive departments from an incumbent to his successor an inventory shall be taken, under the supervision of the Governor, of the moneys, books, property and valuable papers of the office. The report of the commissioners was only delivered to me last evening, having been just completed. Not to delay your investlgation, I transmit it after but a cursory examination, and ask for it your early attention.

The commissioners and all the State officers are ready to render such further information as you may require. The time limited for the examination of the commissioners has expired. They have been laboriously engaged during the whole period; but some accounts, it will be seen, have not been satisfactory investigated. A further investigation should be had, especially of the State commissioners' department of the Treasury, and the examination extended to the date of 2d of January, 1865. Until this is done no satisfactory statement of the liabilities of the late Treasurer can be

Page 27

made. It will be seen from the report of the commissioners, that a large balance appears to be still due from the Hon. S. L. Hussey, the Treasurer whose term expired in January, 1860. This is supposed to arise from the fact that no entries were made to his credit of the warrants paid by him during the months of November and December, 1859, and in the removal of the offices in 1863 from Jackson those warrants are alleged to have been lost. This is probable, as there are now outstanding (unless they were paid by Mr. Hussey) warrants issued prior to January, 1860, nearly equal to the deficit. I transmit herewith a communication from Mr. Hussey, and recommend the subject to your early attention. I recommend that you prescribe the manner in which an equitable settlement may be made with him, as he professes his readiness to instantly pay in any balance that may be justly due. I respectfully suggest that all warrants issued prior to the 1st day of January, 1860, be barred unless they are presented for payment within six months after publication of notice, and that after the expiration of the time credit be given for the amount of the warrants now apparently outstanding not so presented.

The report of the commissioners to examine the Executive department, and the offices of the Quartermaster General and Chief of Ordnance, is also transmitted, to inform you of the progress made by them. I respectfully recommend their suggestions to your favorable consideration, and that the commission be continued. The personal examination of one of the commissioners by you, or your committees, would better satisfy you than the report itself of the propriety of their suggestions.

I also transmit the report of the same commissioners in relation to the moneys advanced D. C. Patterson and the cotton intrusted to Dr. L. Blackburn. The Confederate notes and certificates deposited with the Quartermaster General by Patterson, are still in his hands, but cannot be received unless so ordered by you. Suit would have long since been instituted against Patterson, but no counts have for several years been held in Claiborne county, in which he resides.

I also transmit reports from the officers of the State Institution for the Blind, and of the Lunatic Asylum, and ask your favorable consideration. Also, an interesting report from the Surgeon General.

The accompanying report of the keeper of the capitol will show the condition of the library and public buildings. Your attention is respectfully requested to the repairs necessary

Page 28

to the capitol. The catalogue of books, maps, charts, &c., in the library, was made by my order, and is in my hands subject to your inspection.

The report of Major W. A. Strong of receipts and disbursements on account of the State Distillery to 1st January 1865, is also transmitted. The whole amount to the 22d Feb'y, 1865, drawn from the Treasury on this account is $53,010 00, and receipts paid in $14,196 32.

Major Strong has acted with commendable energy and economy, and the amount of spirits that can be manufactured at this distillery would be sufficient for the purposes for which it was intended, if applied to no other use. The establishment of these works was not recommended by me, and I am aware that it was authorized by you only because of a supposed necessity.

The report of the General Salt Agent will be found satisfactory. The Salt works have been managed with energy and ability, and with gratifying results.

I respectfully request that such of the documents herewith transmitted as you may not order to be printed, be ordered to be returned to me at your adjournment. The reports are voluminous and the tables would occupy many pages of your journals and as they must again be presented to the Legislature in November, it may not be deemed necessary now to enter them in your journals.

I respectfully report that the amount drawn from the Treasury on account of the Executive contingent fund and expended during my administration is $9977 40. The vouchers therefor are ready for your examination.

The reports of the Auditor and Treasurer show the Confederate notes drawn by me from the Treasury to be exchanged and funded. I have in my hands the certificates of the depositary at Columbus for eight hundred and fifty-seven thousand and four hundred dollars to be funded in six percent. bonds. Also, certificate of deposit in the same depository for forty-two thousand and three hundred dollars. The payments made by me into the Treasury are shown in those reports.

CHAS. CLARK.

Which, on motion of Mr. Eskridge, was taken up.

On motion of Mr. Rucks, so much of the message as relates to Auditor's report be referred to Committee on the Auditor's Office; so much as relates to Treasurer's report to Committee on Treasurer's Office; so much as relates

Page 29

to report of commissioners to examine Auditor's and Treasurer's offices be referred to a select committee of five.

The Speaker appointed, as said committee, Messrs. Cunningham, Wells, Daniel, Liddell and Morehead.

So much as relates to report of State agent of distilleries to special committee to whom was referred the petition of sundry citizens of Lowndes county, in relation to distillation; so much as relates to the report of the State Salt Agent to the special committee of five to examine commissioner's report.

On motion of Mr. Barnett, so much as relates to Surgeon General's report was referred to spcial committee of five.

The Speaker appointed, as said committee, Messrs. Rucks, Yandell, Liddell, Tindall and Bradley.

On motion of Mr. Tindall, the House adjourned until 3 o'clock, P. M.

THREE O'CLOCK, P. M.

House met.

Mr. Gowan offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the State Printer be, and he is hereby authorized and required, to furnish the clerk of this House with one-half ream wrapping paper, for the use of the members during the present session.

Which was adopted.

Mr. Yandell, by leave, introduced a bill, to be entitled "An act to change the name of Maria E. Wadlington to Maria E. King," which, on his motion, was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Gowan, by leave, introduced a bill, to be entitled "An act to invest the Probate Court of Simpson county with jurisdiction of the estate of Henry Young, late of Rankin county, deceased," which, on his motion, was read twice, under a suspension of the rule, and, on motion of Mr. Hicks, was referred to the Judiciary Committee.

The following communication was read from Brigadier General James R. Chalmers:

Page 30

HEADQ'RS CHALMERS' DIVISION, FORREST'S
CAV'Y CORPS, Near Columbus, Miss.,
February 23, 1865.

Mr. Robert C. Miller,
Clerk of the House of Representatives:

Sir: Your note of the 22d instant, conveying to me the resolution of the Legislature of Mississippi, inviting me to address them at such time as should suit my convenience, has been received.

Feeling deeply sensible of the compliment thus paid, I accept the invitation, and will name 3 o'clock, P. M., on the 24th instant, as an hour at which it will suit me to address your honorable body.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

JAS. R. CHALMERS, Brigadier General.

The Speaker announced the following standing committees:

Auditor's Office.--Messrs. Fort, Johnson, of DeSoto, Dillard, Gray and Seal, of Hancock.
Treasurer's Office.--Messrs. Brown, Johnson, of Tippah, Boone, Hanson and Bradley.
State Library--Messrs. Archer, Hendon, Morehead, Lott and Barton.
Public Buildings.--Messrs. Montgomery, Isom, Grace, Bromley and Taylor.
State University.--Messrs. Arnold, Tindall, Gowan, Bester and Stubbs, of Smith.

Mr. Jackson presented the memorial of the Board of Police and commissioners for indigent families of Amite county, which, on his motion, was referred, without reading, to joint select committee for indigent families.

Mr. Gully presented the petition of the heirs of Evan Roberts, late of Marengo county, Ala., which, on his motion, was referred, to the Committee on Judiciary, without reading.

Mr. Gowan introduced bill, to be entitled "An act to punish horse stealing," which, on his motion, was referred to the Judiciary Committee, without reading.

Mr. Arnold offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That Hon. A. B. Meek, of Alabama, be invited to address this body, on such night as may suit his convenience.

Which was adopted.

Page 31

On motion of Mr. Isom, the House adjourned until to-morrow morning, at 10 o'clock.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1865.

House met pursuant to adjournment.

Journal of yesterday read and approved.

Mr. Shelly presented a letter from T. C. Ashcraft, of Itawamba county, which on his motion was referred without reading to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. Isom by leave introduced a bill to be entitled "An act for the relief of the Probate and Circuit Clerks of Lafayette county, which on his motion was referred without reading to the Committee on Propositions and Grievances.

Mr. Barton introduced a bill to be entitled "An act for the relief of Davenport's Battalion," which on his motion, together with accompanying documents, was referred without reading, to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. Pinson presented a joint resolution granting leave of absence to Hon. W. H. Kilpatrick, Judge of the 9th Judicial District, which was read three several times under a suspension of the rule, and adopted.

Mr. Buntin introduced a bill to be entitled "An act to repeal all acts incorporating the town of Oakland, in Yallabusha county, which, on his motion, was read three several times under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

The following message was received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER:--The Senate have passed bills of the following titles:

An act for the relief of Charles R. Davis.

An act in relation to the Probate Court and Board of Police of Warren county, Miss.

An act further to amend the act providing for the establishment of the Probate Court.

The House is asked to concur in said bills.

The Senate has passed the following entitled House bills:

An act to legalize the assessment of of taxes for the corporation of the town of Woodville, for the year 1864.

An act to remove the civil disabilities of Daniel Cohen, a minor of Wilkinson county, with an amendment thereto, in which the concurrence of the House is desired.

Page 32

An act to remove the civil disabilities of Evander H. Russ a minor of Hancock county, with an amendment to the same, in which the House is asked to concur.

And have concurred in the following entitled joint resolutions of the House:

Resolutions in relation to filling up our armies.

A joint resolution in relation to School Commissioners.

Messrs. Ellet, Simonton, Neely, Mosely and Moore have been appointed on the part of the Senate to consider, in conjunction with the committee on the part of the House, certain memorials relative to the present liquor law.

Mr. Yandell introduced a bill to be entitled "An act to remove the civil disabilities of Nathan C. Luse, a minor of Yazoo county," which on his motion was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Moorehead introduced a bill to be entitled "An act for the relief of John Lee Crawford and Mary E. Crawford, of Copiah county," which on his motion was read three several times under a suspensian of the rule and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, from the Judiciary Committee made the following reports:

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee to whom was referred the bill emancipating a slave named Lloyd, the property of James N. Harper, of Tallahatchie county, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report a substitute for said bill and recommend that said substitute do pass, which was received and agreed to.

Substitute bill was read twice under a suspension of the rule.

Mr. Hicks moved to amend by an additional section which was adopted.

On motion of Mr. Seal of Harrison, the constitutional rule was suspended, bill read third time and passed, title standing as stated.

MR. SPEAKER: The committee to whom was referred a bill entitled "an act to invest the Probate Court of Simpson county, with jurisdiction of the estate of Harris Young, late of Rankin county, deceased," have had the same under consideration and have instructed me to report the same back with a recommendation that it do not pass.

Which was adopted.

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee to whom was referred

Page 33

a bill to be entitled "An act for the relief of officers and soldiers in certain cases," have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report a substitute for said bill and to recommend that the same do pass,

Which was adopted.

Mr. Young moved to strike out 1862 and insert 1861, which was adopted.

Mr. Bradford moved to amend by striking out 1861, and and inserting 1863, which was lost.

Mr. Gully moved to amend by striking out 1861 and inserting 1865, which was lost.

Mr. Eskridge moved to amend by striking out the words "in their discretion," which was adopted.

On motion of Mr. Seal of Harrison, the bill as amended was read third time under a suspension of the rule and passed, title standing as stated.

MR. SPEAKER: The committee to whom was referred the petition of the heirs and devisees of Evan Roberts, late of Marengo county, Ala., praying an act authorizing the property of said testator to be divided at once according to the bequest in testators will and for general relief, have had the same under consideration, and being of the opinion that the Legislature of the State has no power to grant the relief prayed for, have instructed me to report the same back with a recommendation that they be discharged from any further action on said petition.

Which was adopted.

MR. SPEAKER: The committee to whom was referred a bill entitled "an act to appoint additional commissioners in districts and 5 in Panola county, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the same back with a recommendation that it do pass.

Which was adopted.

On his motion the rule was suspended, bill read a third time and passed, title standing as stated.

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred the written petition of D. L. Kimbrough, a citizen of Carrol county, have instructed me to report the same back to the House, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the same.

Which was adopted.

MR. SPEAKER: The committee to whom was referred a bill entitled, An aet to punish horse stealing, have had the same under consideration and have instructed me to report the same back with a recommendation that it do not pass.

The report was received.

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On motion of Mr. Gowan it was disagreed to.

Mr. Gowan moved that the constitutional rule be suspended and bill read second time.

Which was lost.

Mr. Murdock, from the Committee of Ways and Means, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee of Ways and Means to whom was referred a bill to be entitled, "An act to authorize the State Treasurer to issue $150,000 of the Treasury notes of the State which have been funded in eight per cent. bonds," have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report it back, with an amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass as amended.

Which, on his motion, was received and agreed to.

On his further motion the substitute bill was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

MR. PRESIDENT: The Committee of Ways and Means to whom was referred bill entitled, "An act to regulate the fees of jailors," have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report a substitute therefor with a recommendation that it do pass.

Which, on his motion, was received and agreed to.

And on his further motion the constitutional rule was suspended, bill read third time and passed as amended, title standing as stated.

Mr. Upshaw from the Military Committee made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Military Committee to whom was referred a bill entitled, "An act to authorize the Quartermaster General of the State to pay the officers and men of the Second Battalion and Sixth Regiment of Mississippi State Troops for horses which were killed before they were appraised and valued," have directed me to report the same to the House as amended with the recommendation that it do pass.

Which on his motion was received and agreed to.

And on his further motion, constitutional rule was suspended, bill read the third time, and passed as amended, title standing as stated.

Mr. Fort from the special committee made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The undersigned, Chairman of the special committee, to whom was referred the resolution for appointment of commissioners to visit and relieve the soldiers of Mississippi confined in prisons in the United States, asks leave to report the accompanying bill, with the recommendation that it do pass.

Which, on his motion, was received and agreed to.

And, on his further motion, the constitutional rule was suspended, and bill read second time, and,

On motion of Mr. Reagan, was made the special order

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for to-morrow, at 11 o'clock, A. M., in committee of the whole.

Mr. Murdock offered the following resolution, which, on his motion, was adopted:

Resolved, That this House will meet at the Courthouse, on and after Monday next, the 27th inst.

Mr. Cunningham offered the following resolution, which was lost.

Resolved, That when the House adjourns to-day, it hall adjourn until 10 o'clock Monday morning.

Mr. Lott introduced a bill, to be entitled "An act to repeal certain portions of an act entitled an act to prevent the distillation of spirituous liquors, and to declare the distilleries to be public and common nuisances, and to authorize the same to be abated, and for other purposes," which, on his motion, was read twice, under a suspension of the rule, and referred to special committee, to whom was referred petition of sundry citizens of Lowndes county on same subject.

Mr. Lott introduced a bill, to be entitled an act to amend article 14, chapter 21, page 206, of the Revised Code," which, on his motion, was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Tindall introduced a bill, which was, on his motion, referred, without reading, to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Young asked leave of absence for the Doorkeeper until Monday evening next, which was granted.

On motion of Mr. Young, the House adjourned until 10 o'clock, A. M., to-morrow.

SATURDAY, February 25, 1865.

House met pursuant to adjournment.

Prayer by Rev. Dr. Lyon.

Journal of yesterday read and approved.

Mr. Rucks asked to be relieved from the committee on the Surgeon-General's report.

Which was granted, and Mr. Barnett appointed in his stead.

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Mr. Tindall, on the part of committee for providing for the relief of members, asked and obtained permission for said committee to sit during the session of the House.

Mr. Johnson of DeSoto, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER:-

The Committee on Enrolled Bills have examined bills of the following titles, and finding the same correctly enrolled have referred them to the Governor, for his approval and signature:

"An act to legalize the assessment of taxes for the corporation of the town of Woodville for the year 1864."

Joint resolutions in relation to filling up our armies.

Mr. Liddell asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. McLemore on and after Monday next.

Mr. Owen, by leave, introduced a bill to be entitled

"An act for the relief of C. S. Whitcomb of Holmes county,"

Which, on his motion, was, under a suspension of the constitutional rule, read the second time, and referred to a special committee of three.

The Speaker appointed as said committee, Messrs. Owen Fort and Irby.

The following message was received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER:-

The Senate have passed bills with the following titles:

"An act to amend an act entitled an act to amend the law relative to suing out the writ of Habeas Corpus."

"An act in relation to the venue in suits against defaulting public officers and debtors to the State."

In which the concurrence of the House is desired:

And have passed House bills entitled

"An act to invest the Probate Court of the county of Yazoo, with jurisdiction of the last will and testament of John Campbell, deceased."

"An act to authorize the board of police of the county of Tippah to borrow money from the treasurer of the school fund of said county," with an amendment thereto, in which the concurrence of the House is desired.

Mr. Hanson introduced a bill to be entitled

"An act to amend an act entitled an act to regulate the laying out and working roads."

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Which, on his motion, was read a second time under a suspension of the constitutional rule, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Pope introduced a bill to be entitled

"An act for the relief of C. M. Edmondson, clerk of the Circuit and Probate Courts of Covington county, and for other purposes."

Which, on his motion, was read a second time under a suspension of the rule, and,

On motion of Mr. Morehead, was referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Wynne introduced a bill to be entitled

"An act for the relief of Joseph J. E. Lemons of Yallobusha ceunty."

Which, on his motion, was read a second time under a suspension of the rule, and,

On motion of Mr. Barton, was referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Archer, from the Committee on Library, made the following report:

MR SPEAKER:-

The committee to which was referred the report of the Librarian on the condition of the library in the city of Jackson, beg leave to report, that the library is considerably damaged, and some of it carried off; that they consider no legislation necessary in regard to the books and maps, but that the locks, doors and roof, of the building should be repaired, which matter properly belongs to the Committee on Public Buildings, and should be referred to them.

Which was received and agreed to, and,

On his motion so much of the librarian's report as refers to the public buildings, was referred to the Committee on Public Buildings.

Mr. Johnson of Wilkinson, from the Committee on Corporations, made the following report, which was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER:-

The Committee on Corporations, to whom was referred a bill entitled "An act to incorporate the Pioneer Machine Company," have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the same back to the

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House, with an additional section, and recommend that it do pass as amended.

And, on his motion, bill as amended was read the third time, under a suspension of the rule and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Gowan, from the the Committee on Internal Improvements, made the following report, which on his motion, was received:

MR. PRESIDENT:--The Committee on Internal Improvements, to whom was referred the bill to be entitled "An act to appropriate the swamp and overflowed lands in the counties of Marion, Lawrence, Copiah and Simpson, to the support of indigent families of soldiers of said counties," have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the same back to the House and recommend its passage.

On motion of Mr. Young, the bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee, with instructions to perfect the bill.

Mr. Tindall, from special committee, to whom was referred the propriety and justice of increasing the pay of the members and officers of the Legislature, during the present session, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The committee to whom the resolution having for its object the propriety and justice of increasing the pay of the members and officers of the Legislature, during the present session, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report that it is just and proper that the compensation should be increased.

They have also instructed me to report the accompanying bills for the consideration of this House, with the recommendation that the subject be referred to the Judiciary Committee, for their immediate action.

Which was received and agreed to.

The hour having arrived for the consideration, in committee of the whole, of the special order of the day, being a bill to be entitled "An act for the relief of the prisoners of war from Mississippi, confined in the prisons of the United States," the House proceeded to the consideration of the same, Mr. Reagan in the chair.

After some time spent therein, the committee rose, reported the bill back to the House, with sundry amendments

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thereto, with the recommendation that the bill, as amended, do pass.

And, on motion of Mr. Reagan, the report was received and agreed to.

On his further motion, bill was ordered to be engrossed, and made the special order for Monday, 27th instant, at 12 M.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, from the Judiciary Committee, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred the resolution and bills relative to the increase of pay to members and officers of the Legislature, have had the same under consideration, and being of the opinion that the Legislature has no power under the Constitution to increase the compensation of said members and officers, to take effect at the present session, have instructed me to report the same back, with a recommendation that they be discharged from any further consideration of the same.

Which was received, and, on his motion, disagreed to.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, moved that the rule be suspended, that the bill commuting the pay of members and officers at eight in Confederate Treasury notes for one in gold or silver, be read a second time.

Which was adopted.

Bill read second time.

Mr. Gully moved to lay bill on the table. Lost.

Mr. Jackson, by leave, introduced a bill, which, on his motion, was referred, without reading, to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. Murdock introduced a bill, which, on his motion, was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, without reading.

On motion of Mr. Barton, House adjourned until 3 P. M.

THREE O'CLOCK P. M.

House met.

Mr. Murdock offered a series of resolutions, which were rejected.

Mr. Fox introduced a bill, entitled "An act to reduce the per diem of members of the Legislature," as substitute

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for bill pending at adjournment, which was adopted. Read second time, under suspension of the rule, and, on motion of Mr. Daniel, laid on the table, by ayes and nays, called for by Messrs. Daniel, Fox and Tindall:

Yeas--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Anderson, Allen, Arnold, Bestor, Bromley, Boone, Bradley, Brown, Barnett, Cunningham, Carroll, Daniel, Dillard, Fort, Gully, Hicks, Hooker, Hanson, Hendon, Isom, Irby, Jackson, Johnson, of DeSoto, Johnson, of Wilkinson, Johnson, of Tippah, Kirk, Lott, Lewers, Moore, Morehead, Montgomery, Murdock, McLemore, McKay, of Neshoba, McLaurin, McNeil, Powe, Pinson, Pruit, Rucks, Staples, Sessions, Sutton, Stephens, Upshaw, Wells, Wynne, Yandell and Young--50.

Nays--Messrs. Archer, Bradford, Barton, Buntin, Dancer, Deason, of Jones, Eskridge, Fox, Foxworth, Grace, Gowan, Gray, Liddell, Lowry, McElroy, McGehee, Owen, Pope, Pounds, Reagan, Seal, of Harrison, Seal, of Hancock, Stubbs, of Smith, and Tindall--24.

Mr. Houston introduced a bill, to be entitled "An act to amend the road laws of this State, and for other purposes," which, on his motion, was read second time, under a suspension of the rule.

On motion, the provisions of this bill were applied to the counties of Itawamba, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Carroll, Oktibbeha, Leake, Noxubee, Amite and Wilkinson; and, on further motion of Mr. Houston, bill was read third time, under a suspension of the rule, and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Murdock asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Moore until Wednesday next.

Mr. Eskridge, by leave, introduced a bill, providing for the pay of members of the Legislature. Read once. Motion to suspend rule, with a view to reading bill second time, was lost.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, moved to make bill special order for the day, Monday, at 10 A. M., which was adopted.

On motion, of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, House adjourned until Monday morning, at 10 o'clock.

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MONDAY, February 27, 1865.

House met pursuant to adjournment.

Mr. Dancer introduced Mr. W. T. Stricklan, of Tippah county, who presented his credentials, took the oath of office and entered upon the discharge of his duties.

Mr. Brown asked and obtained permission for Committee on Treasurer's office to sit during the session of the House.

The Speaker presented sundry communications.

E. W. Dale of Tunica, asking leave of absence which was granted.

G. W. Edwards, Doorkeeper, asking leave of absence, which was granted.

And the following communication from the Hon. A. B. Meek.

COLUMBUS, MISS., Feb. 27, 1865

Hon. L. E. HOUSTON, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mississippi Legislature--Sir: I have had the honor to receive the resolution of the House of Representatives, inviting me to deliver an address before their Honorable Body.

For this high mark of consideration. I am profoundly grateful, but am compelled, in consequence of recurrent neuralgia of the breast, to decline the effort at this time to make a protracted speech.

Be pleased to express to the very able and patriotic body over which you preside, my grateful appreciation of the distinction show me, and believe me,

Most respectfully, your obedient servant.

A. B. MEEK,

On motion of Mr. Yandell, call of counties was dispensed with.

The following message was received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER: The Senate have passed bills of the following titles, to wit:

An act to authorize Probate Judges and Justices of the Peace to administer oaths in certain cases.

And have passed House bills entitled as follows:

An act to repeal all acts incorporating the town of Oakland, Yallabusha county, Mississippi.

An act to remove the civil disabilities of Nathan C. Luse, a minor of Yazoo county.

An act foi the relief of John Lee Crawford and Mary E. Crawford, of Copiah county.

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An act to change the name of Maria E. Wadlington to Maria E. King.

An act for the relief of Henry E. Rusco, Executor, &c.

An act to remove the civil disabilities of Emma E. and Walter P. Kennedy, minors of Carrol county, Mississippi.

An act to legalize the assessment roll of Itawamba county, and for other purposes.

An act to repeal an act incorporating the town of Carthage county of Leake.

And have concurred in House resolution granting leave of absence to Hon. W. H. Kilpatrick.

The Senate insist on their amendment to the series of Resolutions of the House relative to Gen. Jos. E. Johnston.

Mr. Reagan moved to take up Senate messages, which was agreed to.

Senate bill entitled "An act in relation to the Probate Court and Board of Police, of Warren county, Mississippi." Bill read first time.

On motien of Mr. Barton, the constitutional rule was suspended, bill read second and third time and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Senate bill entitled "An act further to amend the act providing for the establishment of the Probate Court." Bill read first time.

On motion of Mr. Gowan the rule was suspended, bill read second and third time, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Senate bill entitled "An act for the relief of Charles R. Davis." Bill read first time and on motion of Mr. Wynne, the rule was suspended, bill read second and third time and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Senate bill entitled "An act in relation to the venue in suits against defaulting public officers and debtors to the State." Bill read first time and on motion of Mr. Gowan, the constitutional rule was suspended, bill read second and third time and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Senate bill entitled "An act to amend an act entitled an act to amend the law relative to suing out the writ of Habeas Corpus, approved December 5, 1863." Bill read first time, and on motion of Mr. Gowan, bill was read a second time under a suspension of the rule, and on motion of Mr. Upshaw referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Senate bill entitled "An act to authorize Probate Judges and Justices of the Peace to administer oaths in certain

Page 43

cases." Read first time, and on motion of Mr. Upshaw, bill read second time under a suspension of the rule.

Mr. Irby moved to refer to the Judiciary Committee--lost.

On motion of Mr. Upshaw, rule suspended, bill read third time and passed, title standing as stated.

On motion of Mr. Fox, House concurred in Senate amendment to House resolution in relation to General Joseph E. Johnston.

On motion of Mr. Dancer House concurred in Senate amendment to House bill entitled "An act to authorize the Board of Police, in the county of Tippah, to borrow money from the Treasurer of the School Fund of said county."

On motion of Mr. Johnson, of Wilkinson, the House concurred in Senate amendment to House bill entitled "An act to remove the civil disabilities of Daniel Cohen, a minor of Wilkinson county:

On motion of Mr. Seal, of Hancock, House concurred in Senate amendment to House bill entitled "An act to remove the civil disabilities of Evander H. Russ, a minor of Hancock, county"

The following message was received from the Governor, through Hon. C. A. Brougher, Secretary of State:

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
COLUMBUS, February 27, 1865.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

Your resolution of inquiry "touching a contract and its execution providing for the importation into this State, through the enemy's lines, of cotton cards and medicines," has been presented to me. A few days after your adjournment in December, 1863, I sent an agent to Richmond to procure authority and make the necessary arrangements for obtaining from the enemy's lines cotton cards, medicines, and some other articles of prime necessity in exchange for cotton. This authority was not granted; the act passed by Congress to confer such power on the States having failed to receive the approval of the President. I subsequently submitted my correspondence with the Secretary of War to Lieut. Gen. Polk, who, appreciating the necessity of the measure, promised to issue the required orders. This was prevented by his removal from the Department. Lieut. Gen. Lee, however, on the matter being presented to him, promptly issued the orders to permit the goods ordered by me to be brought in, and cotton taken out to pay for them. I do not consider it proper, at the present time, to make the contract public, I will submit them to the examination of a committee of your body if desired, and they can report them to you if they see proper. Nothing has been done by me in the premises without the full knowledge of the Commander of this Department, and lest frauds might have been committed by the use of those orders, by unauthorized persons, the whole of the transactions were voluntarily

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communicated by me to the District Attorney and the Grand Jury of the Confederate Court at Jackson in November last. The contracts are in writing, and the contractors sworn to use the permits for no other purpose than that designated in them. The goods to be introduced were medicines, cotton and wool cards, needles, shears, and some few other implements of domestic industry. The aggregate value of the artlcles contracted for was not less than four millions of dollars in our paper--the whole amount of cotton to be transmitted less than twenty five hundred bales. The cost of the articles to the State would not have exceeded two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) in our currency. The timid and vacillating policy of the War Department has prevented the execution of these contracts. The failure to produce these supplies, so much needed by our people, cannot be attributed to want of energy on the of the contractors. I diligently and earnestly pursued this object, and all obstacles had been overcome, except those presented by the government, and I shall avail myself of every legal means to accomplish it hereafter. About one thousand pair of cotton cards have been procured and distributed under my orders to the counties of Tippah, Tishemingo, Pontotoc, Itawamba, and the counties east of Pearl River and south of the Southern Rail Road. No medicines, except one hundred ounces of quinine, have been received. No cotton has been sent out in exchange, the orders having been revoked before even the small amount was sent out which contractors were, by their permits, authorized to transmit through the lines. I have sent for all the papers and correspondence in relation to this matter, and will be pleased to have an opportunity of laying them before your committee.

I deem the policy of the Confederate Government on this subject unwise and injurious. Its only effect has been to inaugurate a system of fraud, to demoralize the troops on the frontier, to enhance the profits of illegal traffic, and to prevent our people, except at enormous cost, from obtaining articles of prime necessity, even the implements of industry with which they might manufacture clothing for the people and the army. It is to be hoped that before its adjournment, Congress will so modify the law, as to enable the people, under proper regulations and restrictions, and through authorized channels, to be supplied with these articles, without which not only all manufactories, but agriculture and the mechanic arts must cease. What difference is there in morals or policy in sending cotton to Boston by way of Nassau, or of Memphis? At least, the Confederate Government raise Quarter masters from the position of peddlers of cotton cards, cotton yarns and cooking utensils, to the dignity of merchants. If the Government be the sole trader, let it fulfill the duty of supplying its customers at reasonable rates for cash.

Last winter during extreme cold weather, I visited the State Lunatic Asylum. I found many of the inmates so insufficiently clothed that but for the admirable arrangements for warming the apartments, intense suffering would have ensued. I saw patients without socks or shoes, their feet only protected by bandages of rags. On representing these things to the commander of the department, a permit was given, endorsed by me, to Dr. Kells, the snperintendent, to carry 104 bales of cotton, then the property of the

Page 45

Asylum, to Vicksburg, to exchange for clothing and other necessary supplies. Twenty-seven bales were taken out under this order, and sold in Vicksburg for about $14,000, and the money invested in clothing, medicines and other supplies. For want of transportation, about one third of that was left in Vicksburg, and the orders under which he acted having been shortly after revoked by the orders of Lt. Gen. Taylor against the transportation of goods from the enemy's lines. These goods have been lost. These operations were not made secretly. They were openly effected by one who cenceived that he was acting under proper authority, and performing an official duty to the State and for the benefit of the asylum yet, while thousands of the guilty escaped, this meritorious, officer has been indicted for the supposed offence in the District Court of the Confederate States. The Judge of that Court--Hon. A. M. Clayton--informed me that he had presented a statement of the facts to the Attorney General of the Confederate States, and it is expected that the case will be dismissed and the superintendent honorably discharged. Dr. Kells is one of the most faithful, laborious and accomplished officers in the State service, whose conduct as an officer is without reproach, and whose character as a man is without stain.

CHARLES CLARK.

On motion of Mr. Johnson of Desoto, the Governor's message was taken up and read, and,

On motion of Mr. Reagan, was referred to select committee of five.

The Speaker appointed as said committee, Messrs. Reagan, McLemore, Stricklan, Hicks and Powe.

Mr. Bestor presented the petition of M. Greenhood of Clarke county.

Which, on his motion was referred to the Committee on Propositions and Grievances, without reading.

Mr. Seal of Harrison, from the Judiciary Committee, made the following report, which was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER:--The Judiciary Committee to whom was referred a bill entitled "An act to authorize executors, administrators and guardians, to carry on tanneries, and for other purposes," have had the same under consideration. The committee have adopted a substitute for said bill, and report the substitute back, with a recommendation that it do pass.

And, on his further motion, the bill was read second and third times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Wells, from the Committee on Proposition and Grievances,

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made the following report, which was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER:--

The Committee on Propositions and Grievances, to whom was referred "An act for the relief of the Probate and Circuit clerks of Lafayette county," have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the same back to the House, with a recommendation that it do pass.

And, on his further motion, the bill was read the second and third times, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Fox, from the Committee on the Institution for the Blind, made the following report, which was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER:--The joint and select committee to which was referred so much of the special message of his excellency, Governor Clark, as relates to the State Institution for the Blind, together with the documents accompanying said message, have had the matters referred under sole consideration, and have instructed me to report the accompanying bills, to your honorable body, with a recommendation that they do pass.

On motion of Mr. Fox, bill to be entitled "An act to repeal an act entitled an act for the relief of Dempsey Sherrod,"

Which, on his motion, was read three several times under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

On motion of Mr. Fox, a bill to be entitled "An act for the relief of the State Institution for the Blind,"

Was read the first and second time under a suspension of the rule.

On motion of Mr. Reagan, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole for the consideration of said bill,

Mr. Reagan in the Chair.

After some time spent therein, the committee rose, reported the bill back to the House with an amendment, and with the recommendation that the bill as amended do pass.

Which, on motion of the chairman, was received and agreed to, and,

On motion of Mr. Fox, the constitutional rule was suspended,

Page 47

the bill read the third time and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Brown, from the Committee on Treasurer's office, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER:--The Committee on the Treasurer's office have had that portion of the Governor's message referring to the same under consideration, and have examined the papers and reports referred to the committee, so far as the time would permit, and have instructed me to introduce the following bill, and recommend its passage.

Which was received and agreed to.

And, on his motion, the bill entitled "An act to provide for the examination of the Auditor's and Treasurer's offices, approved Dec. 1, 1863, and for other purposes, was read the second time, and,

Gn motion of Mr. Johnson of DeSoto, recommitted to same committee.

Mr. Morehead moved to adjourn to 3 o'clock, P. M. Lost

On motion of Mr. Irby, Mr. Fort was added to the committee on Treasurer's office.

On motion of Mr. Reagan, Mr. Johnson of Wilkinson was added to the special committee on the Governor's message this day received.

On motion of Mr. McNeil, Mr. Dillard was added to the same committee.

On motion, the House adjourned until to-morrow morning 10 o'clock.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1865.

House met pursuant to adjournment.

Prayer by Rev. Dr. Lyon.

On motion of Mr. Upshaw reading of the minutes was dispensed with.

The Speaker presented a communication from Robert C. Miller, Clerk of the House, asking committees to mark what papers referred to them should be printed.

Mr. McElroy, by leave introduced a bill to be entitled "An act to authorize the Tax Collector of Newton county to refund

Page 48

certain monies therein mentioned," which on his motion was read first and second time under a suspension of the rule and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Powe offered the following resolution which was adopted:

Resolved--That the Committee on Public Lands be instrncted to inquire into the expediency of withdrawing the public lands in this State from sale and entry, and securing to actual settlers the right of pre-emption when the lands may be again offered for sale, and report by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Seal of Harrison, by leave introduced a bill to be entitled "An act to amend chapter 5, articles 10 and 11 of the revised code." Bill read first time and on his motion rule suspended and bill read a second time.

Mr. Young moved its reference to Committee on Ways and Means. Lost.

Mr. Young moved an amendment. Adopted.

Mr. Eskridge moved to strike out "fifteen" and insert "twenty." Lost.

On motion Mr. Seal of Harrison, bill was read third time under a suspension of the rule and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Johnson from Committee on Enrolled Bills, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Enrollments have examined bills of the following titles, and finding them correctly enrolled, have submitted them to the Governor for his approval and signature:

An act to repeal an act to incorporate the town of Carthage, in the county of Leake.

An act to repeal all acts incorporating the town of Oakland, Yallabusha county, Mississippi.

An act to invest the Probate Court of the county of Yazoo with jurisdiction of the last will and testament of John Campbell, deceased.

An act to remove the civil disabilities of Nathan C. Luse, a minor of Yazoo county.

An act to change the name of Maria E. Wadlington, to Maria E. King.

An act to legalize the assessment roll of Itawamba county, and for other purposes.

An act for the relief of John Lee Crawford and Mary E. Crawford, of Copiah county.

Joint resolution in relation to school commissioners.

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The following message was received from His Excellency the Governor through his private Secretary:

MR. SPEAKER: I am instructed by His Excellency the Governor to inform the House that he did, on the 27th inst., approve and sign joint resolutions for filling up our armies.

Also, on the 27th, "An act to legalize the assessment of taxes for the corporation of the town of Woodville for the year 1864."

Also, a message in writing with accompanying documents:

The following message was received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER: The Senate have passed bills of the following titles:

"An act to repeal an act approved December 19th, A. D. 1861, entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to incorporate the town of Canton and to repeal all former acts incorporating the same, and all acts amendatory thereof, and for other purposes."

"An act to amend an act entitled an act to amend Art. 32, Sec. 8, of the Revised Code, approved Dec. 8th, 1863.

"An act to amend the fifty-second chapter of the Revised Code, entitled an act to regulate the remedy by attachment against debtors."

And have adopted,

Joint resolution appointing a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer.

Also a joint resolution inviting the Hon. James Phelan to address the Legislature.

And have passed House bills entitled as follows:

"An act to amend Art. 14, chap. 21, page 206, Revised Code."

"An act fixing the fees of jailors for feeding prisoners."

"An act to appoint additional commissioners in Districts 1 and 5, in Panola county."

"An act to grant freedom to male slave Lloyd, the property of James N. Harper, of Tallahatchie county," with an amendment thereto.

Mr. Dancer offered the following resolution which was adopted:

Resolved--That the counties whose indigent cannot be provided for by the general fund for indigent families have their claims for additional relief referred to the special committee,

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to which the bill for the relief of the indigent of Marshal county was referred.

Mr. Reagan offered the following resolution which was adopted:

Resolved--That Gen. Forrest be invited to take a seat within the bar of this House, and that a committee of three be appointed to wait upon him and inform him of the same.

The Speaker appointed as said committee Messrs. Reagan, Bradford and Johnson of W.

The following message was received from his Excellency the Governor:

MR. SPEAKER:--I am instructed by his Excellency, the Governor, to transmit to the House of Representatives, a message in writing.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
COLUMBUS, MISS., February 27, 1865.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

In reply to your resolutions of inquiry as to the State Distillery, I send you a report from Major W. A. Strong, of his operations to the 1st of January last. The amount of liquor distributed to that date is stated to be 3777 gallons, a large quantity was then on hand in ranks waiting for barrels. The price fixed on the same will be shown by my "circular to dispensers" a copy of which is hereby transmitted. The Treasurer's report shows the amount paid into the Treasury. The Auditor's report shows the amount drawn on account of Distilleries. The Surgeon General reports that one barrel of whisky was distributed to the Medical Department for the militia. One barrel was ordered by me to be sent to the Chief Surgeon of Maj. Gen. Forrest: and authority was given Maj. Strong to furnish two barrels to the Confederate Hospitals in the western and Northern counties. The account of the agent, Major Strong, with the vouchers of expenditures to the 1st of January last, is in my possession, subject to your examination and which will be found satisfactory, I have no report of men otherwise liable to military duty employed at the distillery.

I appointed Maj. Strong as the agent and be alone has the appointment of the sub-agents. I know nothing of them except from their receipts on file for services. The "circular to dispensers" shows with what care I have endeavored to enforce the provisions of the law. As the duty of auditing their accounts was not imposed on any officer, it is done in the Executive office, under my supervision, by my private secretary.

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All the accounts of the Dispensaries to this date, have been carefully examined by him, and the Physicians certificates examined and compared with the account for every pint of spirits dispensed. The trouble and expense in regard to barrels and their defects, is detailed in Maj. Strong's report, and has been a subject of several communications. The loss from defective barrels is shown by the Dispenser's reports. No whisky is sent from the distillery without an agent who guards it until it is delivered. Major Strong believes that he has at length overcome the difficulties surrounding his enterprise, and that he can if desired, without much additional expense, increase its production from its present capacity, 100 gallons per day, to double that quantity.

CHARLES CLARK,
Governor.

Mr. Irby by leave introduced a bill to be entitled "An act for the relief of Capt. W. G. Middleton, former Captain of the Panola cavalry, and Captain J. R. Taylor, his successor in office," and on his motion bill was read second and third times under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr Grace by leave, introduced a bill entitled "An act to amend an act entitled an act to amend section 7, chapter 6 of the Revised Code of the State of Mississippi, so far as the same provides compensation for the State Printer," which on his motion was referred without reading to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Reagan offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved--That the portion of the Governor's message relating to Railroads, &c., in the indigent family clause of said message be withdrawn from the Committee on Indigent Families, to which it was referred, and it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Mr. Yandell by leave introduced a bill to be entitled "An act relative to the relief of indigent families of soldiers in Yazoo county," which on his motion was read three several times under a suspension of the rule and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Hendon by leave introduced a bill to be entitled "An act to amend an act amendatory of an act entitled an act for the relief of the first battallion Mississippi State Troops, commanded by Major Harper," which on his motion was read three several times under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

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Mr. Arnold by leave, introduced a joint resolution calling on the Confederate States Government for the payment of our troops, which on his motion was read second time under a suspension of the rule and adopted.

Mr. McGehee by leave introduced a bill to be entitled "An act for the relief of indigent families of soldiers, in Pike county," which on his motion was read second time under a suspension of the rule, and on motion of Mr. Murdock, referred to special committee on indigent families.

Mr. Seal of Harrison, from Committee on the Judiciary made the following reports, which were received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee to whom was referred a bill for the relief of J. E. Lemons, of Yallabusha county, in this State, have had the subject matter under consideration and have instructed me to report the same back with a recommendation that it do not pass.

MR. SPEAKER: The committee to whom was referred a bill entitled "An act to amend an act entitled an act to regulate the laying out and making roads, &c., have had the same under consideration and have instructed me to report the same back with a recommendation that it do not pass.

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred the petition of J. P. McCrackin, have had the subject matter of the petition under consideration. Said committee have instructed me to report the same back, and ask to be discharged from further consideration of the same.

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred a bill entitled an act for the relief of C. M. Edmonson, Clerk of the Circuit and Probate Court of Covington county, and for other purposes, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the same back, with a recommendation that it do not pass.

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred a bill entitled an act to amend the several acts relative to the swamp and overflowed lands in the counties of Hancock, Marion, Lawrence, Copiah and Simpson, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the same back, with a recommendation that it do not pass.

Mr. Murdock, from Committee on Ways and Means, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee of Ways and Means,

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to whom was referred a bill, to be entitled an act to amend an act to authorize and require the Governor to cause to be prepared and printed a sufficient amount of bonds, bearing 8 per cent. interest, for the purpose of calling in and taking up the notes issued by law for military defence of the State, approved December 5, 1863, have considered the same, and have instructed me to report it back, with the recommendation that it do pass.

Which, on his motion, was received and agreed to, and on his further motion, bill read three times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed, title standing as stated.

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee of Ways and Means, to whom was referred a bill for the suppression of contraband distillation of spirits, and for making the production of spirits a source of revenue to this State, and for other purposes, beg leave to report that they have carefully examined into the questions involved in the bill, and are of the opinion that the existing laws on your statute books have wholly failed to accomplish the objects for which they were passed. They have not diminished the quantity of grain which was being consumed, or the amount of drunkenness in the country; but have only flooded the country with inferior spirits, at extortionate prices, and have placed the trade in the same in the hands of vicious and irresponsible white men and negroes, and instead of suppressing distillation, it has forced it into illicit channels, to the great demoralization of the country. Your committee are of the opinion that a judicious and well guarded law, authorizing the distillation of spirits, might be enacted, which would not only furnish a sufficient amount for medicinal and other legitimate purposes, but would also become a source of large revenue to the State. The books in the Auditor's office show that, at the end of the present year, after deducting the enormous amount of nearly a million of dollars, the amount of the incoming tax, the aggregate indebtedness of the State will be five millions two hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars, and the military debt, supposed to be nearly a million of dollars, which must, sooner or later, be met from some source. The census of 1860 shows that there 900,000 souls in this State, at that time. Allowing the population to have decreased 200,000 from the effects of the war, still leaves

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700,000, which may be considered a fair computation Allowing that each person would consume one-half gallon per annum, which, in the opinion of medical men, would be a necessary average of consumption in this climate, it would require an amount of 350,000 gallons to be supplied per annum. A tax on that of ten dollars per gallon would produce the enormous sum of three millions five hundred thousand dollars, besides the amount collected from licenses, which will make a large sum in itself. Your committee estimate that that amount of spirits, fifty per cent. proof, will not require for its production more than 175,000 bushels of grain, largely over which amount has wasted in the counties either of Lowndes or Monroe, for the want of consumers, in the last twelve months. Your committee feel well assured that, unless some plan can be devised to stop the accumulating indebtedness of the State, during the war, other than by the ordinary mode of taxation, many of your people will be ruined, while the State itself will be overwhelmed with an indebtedness which can never be paid. Your committee, in view of the foregoing and other facts, not thought necessary to mention in this report, beg leave to report the bill back to the House, and recommend that it do pass.

Which, on motion of Mr. Tindall, was received and agreed to; and, on his further motion, bill to be entitled an act for the suppression of contraband distillation of spirits, and for making the production of spirits a source revenue to this State, and for other purposes, was read twice, under a suspension of the rule, and, on motion of Mr. Barton, was laid on the table, one hundred copies of report and bill ordered to be printed, and made special order for Thursday, at 10 A. M.

The following message was received from his Excellency, the Governor, through his private secretary:

MR. SPEAKER: I am instructed by his Excellency, the Governor, to inform the House of Representatives that he did, on this day, approve and sign the following House bills, to-wit:

Joint resolutions in relation to school commissioners.

An act to invest the Probate Court of the county of Yazoo with jurisdiction of the last will and testament of John Campbell, deceased.

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An act to change the name of Mary E. Wadlington to Maria E. King.

An act to legalize the assessment roll of Itawamba county, and for other purposes.

An act to remove the civil disabilities of Nathan C. Luse, a minor, of Yazoo county.

An act for the relief of John Lee Crawford and Mary E. Crawford, of Copiah county.

An act to repeal an act to incorporate the town of Carthage, in the county of Leake.

An act to repeal all acts incorporating the town of Oakland, Yallobusha county, Miss.

Mr. Wells, from the Committee on Propositions and Grievances, made the following report, which was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Propositions and Grievances, to whom was referred the petition of sundry citizens of Itawamba county, with a bill to be entitled an act for the relief of M. D. Files, former sheriff of said county, have had the same under consideration, and, as legal questions are involved therein, have instructed me to report the same back to the House, with a recommendation that they be referred to the Judiciary Committee, and that they be discharged from the further consideration of the same.

Mr. Bestor, from the Committee on Education, made the following reports, which, on his motion, were received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Education, to whom was referred a bill to be entitled an act to secure the interest on the Chickasaw school fund, so far as relates to the county of Pontotoc, approved December 2, 1858, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the bill back to the House, with the recommendation that the same do pass.

And, on his further motion, the bill was read second and third time, and passed, title standing as stated.

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Education, to whom was referred so much of the Governor's message as relates to school for soldiers' children, excepting that part which refers to raising the money for education, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the following bill: "A bill to be entitled an

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act for the establishment and regulation of primary schools for the education of the children of soldiers, and for other purposes," which, on his motion, was read twice, under a suspension of the rule; pending which,

On motion of Mr. Brown, House adjourned until tomorrow morning, at 10 o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, March 1, 1865.

House met pursuant to adjournment.

Prayer by Rev. Dr. Andrews.

On motion of Mr. Gowan. reading of the minutes was dispensed with.

On motion of Mr. Eskridge, the call of counties was dispensed with.

Mr. Murdock presented a memorial from the Probate Judge of Lowndes county, which, on his motion, was referred without reading to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Robinson asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Gully, on account of sickness.

Mr. Murdock, from the Committee on Ways and Means. made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER:

The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred a bill entitled "An act to increase the compensation of the Probate Clerk of Winston county;" also, a bill "to amend Art. 147 of Sec. 32 and Art. 364 of Sec. 70 of Revised Code;" also. "An act to increase the salary of the Probate Judge of Lowndes county;" also, "An act to increase the compensation of Assessors;" have considered the same, and have instructed me to report the accompanying bill, with the recommendation that it do pass.

Which, on his motion, was received and agreed to.

And, on his further motion, the rule was suspended, and bill read the second time.

Mr. Eskridge moved to amend the second section by inserting after the word assessors, "and sheriffs."

Mr. Staples moved to amend the amendment by inserting after the word sheriffs, "county treasurers."

Which was adopted.

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Question recurring upon the motion of Mr. Eskridge to amend the 2d section as amended by Mr. Staples, was lost.

Mr. Owen moved to amend 3d section by inserting "Probate Judge of Holmes county receive fifteen hundred dollars from and after the 1st day of April, 1865." Which was adopted.

Mr. Stubbs of Smith, offered the following amendment:

"The the salary of all the Judges of Probate, whose salary has not heretofore been raised, shall be increased 50 per cent." Which was lost.

Mr. McLemore moved a reconsideration of the vote by which "sheriffs and treasurers" was lost. Which was carried.

Mr. Seal of Harrison moved that the House resolve itself into a committee of the whole upon the bill, which was lost.

Mr. Daniel moved to lay the bill and amendments on the table, which was adopted by ayes and nays, called for by Messrs. Brown, Tindall and Hendon:

Yeas--Messrs. Allen, Arnold, Bradford, Bestor, Boone, Bradley, Barton, Brown, Buntin, Cunningham, Deason, of Jones, Daniel, Dillard, Fox, Faulkner, Gowan, Hicks, Hooker, Hanson, Isom, Irby, Jackson, Johnson, of De-Soto, Kirk, Lowry, Lewers, Morehead, Montgomery, McLaurin, McElroy, Pounds, Pinson, Rucks, Staples, Shelly, Sutton, Stephens, Upshaw, Wynne--39.

Nays--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Anderson, Bromley, Barnett, Dancer, Eskridge, Foxworth, Grace, Gray, Hendon, Johnson, of Wilkinson, Lott, Moore, Murdock, McLemore, McKay, of Neshoba, McGehee, Owen, Pope, Powe, Reagan, Robinson, Seal, of Harrison, Stricklan, Seal, of Hancock, Sessions, Stubbs, of Smith, Tindall, Wells, Yandell and Young--31.

The following message was received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER:--The Senate have passed bills with the following titles:

"An act to authorize and require the payment of certain funds to the parties therein named."

"An act to regulate the action of the Police Courts in certain cases."

And have passed House bills entitled as follows:

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"An act for the relief of the Probate and Circuit Clerks of Lafayette county."

"An act to authorize the Treasurer to issue one hundred and fifty thousand dollars of the treasury notes of this State which have been funded in the 8 per cent. bonds, and to destroy a similar amount of the small warrants authorized by act of April 4, 1864, and for other purposes."

"An act for the relief of the State Institntion for the Blind," with an ameudment thereto.

Mr. Seal of Harrison, from the Judiciary Committee, made the following report, which was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER:--The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred a bill entitled "An act to amend an act entitled an act to amend the law relative to suing out the writ of Habeas Corpus, approved Dec. 5, 1863," have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the same back, with a recommendation that it do pass.

On motion of Mr. Seal of Harrison, the bill was read the third time, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Upshaw, from the Military Committee, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER:--

The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred a bill for the relief of certain companies named therein, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report a substitute therefor, and recommend its passage.

Which was received and agreed to:

And on his further motion, the bill was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Montgomery, from the Committee on Public Buildings, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER:--

The Committee on Public Buildings, to whom was referred the report of the keeper of the capitol and State librarian, have examined the same, and instructed me to report the following bill.

Which was received and agreed to.

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On motion of Mr. Isom, the rule was suspended and the bill read a second time.

And, on his further motion, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole for the consideration of the bill.

Mr. Johnson of DeSoto in the chair.

After a short time spent therein, the the committee rose, reported bill back to the House, with a recommendation that it do pass.

Which, on motion of Mr. Johnson, was received and agreed to:

The bill was read the third time, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

M. Barnett, from the special committee to whom was referred so much of the Governor's message as refers to the Surgeon-General's report, made the following report, which was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER:--The special committee to whom was referred that portion of the Governor's message which relates to the very able report of the Surgeon General, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report that there is nothing contained therein which requires legislative action, and ask to be relieved from any further consideration of the subject.

Mr. Cunningham, from select committee to whom was referred report of commissioners upon examination of Auditor's and Treasurer's offices, made the following report, which was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The select committee, to whom was referred the report of the commissioners appointed to examine the Auditor's and Treasurer's offices, from 1st November, 1859, to August, 1864, have had the same under examination, and instruct me to report that, from the report of said commissioners, there appears many errors and irregularities, some of which are of such importance to the interest of the State as to require further investigation. The committee, therefore, offer the accompanying resolutions, and recommend that they do pass.

And, on his further motion, rule suspended, resolutions read second time and adopted:

Whereas, the report of the commissioners appointed

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by act of the Legislature, approved December 3, 1863, to examine the Auditor's and Treasurer's offices, shows many errors and irregularities, some of which are of such importance to the interests of the State as to require further action on the part of the Legislature. Be it, therefore,

Resolved, by the Legislature of the State of Mississippi, That the Governor be authorized and instructed to appoint a competent and suitable person to take the report of said commissioners, with their tabular statements, and by and with the advice of the Governor, be empowered to examine these errors, with a view to their correction.

2. Resolved, That if it shall appear, on such examination, that the interests of the State requires it, said commissioners shall, with the advice of the Governor, institute suit against all delinquents to the State who may refuse or fail to make satisfactory settlements of their accounts, and a full report be made by him to the next session of the Legislature.

Mr. Cunningham from select committee to whom was referred report of commissioners upon Auditor's and Treasurer's offices, made the following report:

Which on motion of Mr. Liddell, was received and agreed to.

The committee to whom was referred that part of the Governor's special message, and accompanying documents, relating to salt agents D. S. Pattison and Luke P. Blackburn, beg leave to report,

It appears from the report of the commissioners appointed by the Legislature to investigate and report upon these salt agencies that the sum of $20,000 was placed in the hands of Captain D. S. Pattison for the purchase of salt for distribution among the people of the State. Of this sum only $578,25 was actually paid out for salt. The cost of sacks and other expenses of himself and agents in making this investment amounts to the sum of $2046,60 Captain Pattison reports that he impressed or seized, in Louisiana, 23,000 pounds of salt, the property of one Carpenter, for which he promised to pay $1380. This has not yet been paid, and constitutes a debt against Captain Pattison or the State. The amount purchased and paid for, 12,035 pounds, and the amount seized and not paid for, 23,000 pounds, together 35,035 pounds, is the gross amount this agent professes to have purchased and seized for the State. But Q. M. Gen. West, on the part of the State, acknowledges to have received from Captain P. only 29,150 pounds, being 5885 (instead of 8885, as reported by the commissioners) less than the amount Captain P. charges to the State.

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Deducting the total cash paid out, $2624,85, from the amomnt of cash received. $20,000, shows a balance of cash in the hands of Captain P. of $17,575,15. This Captain P. proposes now to settle by the payment of $9100 of 7-30 Confederate States Treasury notes, and $8475,15 of the old issue at par, thus on account of the great depreciation of 7-30's and the discount under the law upon the old issue, liquidating his indebtedness to the State at about one-half its true amount.

Your committee have strong reasons to believe that the cash paid to Captain Pattison consisted of notes known as Convention notes of this State, bearing interest at 10 per cent. These notes have never been below par and now command a high premium.

Your committee approve the course of the Governor in refusing to settle with Captain Pattison upon the terms proposed, and submit the following resolution for adoption by the House.

Resolved, That the Governor be requested, as soon as possible to cause suit to be instituted against Captain D. S. Pattison, salt agent, to recover the balance due by him to the State.

Nothing is known by the commissioners or by your committee, of the fifty bales of cotton entrusted to Dr. Luke P. Blackburn for the purchase of salt. No salt has ever been received, nor anything official heard from Dr. Blackburn on the subject.

And on his further motion resolution read second time and adopted.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, from select committee, to whom was referred so much of the Governor's message as relates to negro enlistments, made the following report, which, on his motion, was received:

The select committee of the House, to which was referred that portion of the Governor's message relating to negro enlistments, have had the subject under consideration, and have instructed me to to report the accompanying resolutions on the subject and to recommend that they do pass.

Mr. Liddell from the minority portion of the committe made the following report:*

*No copy of resolutions furnished State Printer.

MR. SPEAKER: The minority of the committee, to whom was referred that portion of the Governor's msssage which relates to negro enlistments, beg leave to submit the following report and resolution:*

*No copy of report furnished State Printer.

On motion of Mr. Young, majority and minority reports were laid on the table, and made special order for Friday 12 M.

Mr. Owen from select committee made the following report:

The special committee, to whom was referred a bill for the relief of C. S. Whitcomb, of Holmes county, beg leave to report that

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they have duly considered the same, and find that the amount of money damaged was stated correctly, but that $50 out of the $86 was military instead of cotton money, and have directed me to report a bill in accordance with the facts of the case with a recommendation that it do pass.

Which on his motion was received and agreed to.

And on his further motion, rule suspended, bill read second and third time and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Jackson introduced a bill entitled.

An act for the relief of Peter Ratcliff, Sheriff of Amite county.

Which on his motion was, under a suspension of the rule, read twice, and on his further motion, referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. Lott introduced a bill to be entitled, "An act to amend an act entitled an act to incorporate the Canton Female Institute in the town of Canton, Madison county, Mississippi, which, on his motion, was read three several times under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Morehead introduced a bill to be entitled, "An act to incorporate the Newton Female Institute," which, on his motion, was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Seal, of Hancock, introduced a bill entitled, "An act to amend an act to provide for the speedy recovery of personal property wrongfully taken or detained," approved December 3d, 1863, which, on his motion, was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Shelly introduced a bill to be entitled. "An act for the relief of the estate and securities of B. F. Toomer, former sheriff of Itawamba county," which, on his motion, was read first and second time, under a suspension of the rule, and, on motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, was referred to the committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Dancer, by leave, introduced a bill to be entitled, "An act to increase the salary of the Probate Judge of Tippah county," which, on his motion, was read second time, under suspension of the rule.

Sundry amendments, including the counties of Calhoun, Itawamba, Lafayette, Yallobusha, Rankin, Smith, and other counties were offered.

Mr. Young moved to lay bill and amendments on the

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table, which was lost by ayes and nays called for by Messrs. Brown, Seal of Harrison, and Tindall.

AYES--Messrs. Allen, Arnold, Bradford, Bestor, Boon, Bradley, Brown, Cunningham, Deason of Jones, Daniel, Fox, Falconer, Gray, Hooker, Hanson, Hendon, Isom, Irby, Jackson, Liddell, Lewers, Morehead, Montgomery, McLarin, McElroy, Rucks, Staples, Seal of Harrison, Sutton, Stephens, Wynne and Young--32.

NAYS--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Anderson, Bromley, Barton, Buntin, Barnett, Dancer, Eskridge, Fort, Grace, Gowan, Johnson of DeSoto, Johnson of Wilkinson, Kirk, Lott, Moore, Murdock, McLemore, McKay of Neshoba, McGehee, Owen, Pounds, Powe, Pinson, Reagan, Robinson, Seal of Hancock, Sessions, Shelly, Stubbs of Smith, Tindall, Upshaw, Wells and Yandell--34.

On motion of Mr. Fort, bill and amendments were referred to Committee on Ways and Means, with instructions to report by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Falconer introduced a bill to be entitled, "An act to provide for the pnrchase of horses for the benefit of the Mississippi cavalry," which, on his motion, was referred without reading to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. Eskridge, by leave, offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the Rev. C K. Marshall be requested to address the Legislature at some time during the present session that will suit his convenience, and that the use of this hall be tendered him for that purpose.

Mr. Lewers offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That from and after to-day, at 3 o'clock, this House will not receive or entertain any other bills of a local or private character, which was rejected.

Mr. Reagan called up the engrossed bill entitled, "An act for the relief of prisoners of war from Mississippi, confined in the prisons of the United States," pending which, on motion of Mr. Bradford, the House took a recess until 3 o'clock, P. M.

THREE O'CLOCK, P. M.

The recess having expired, House resumed its session and and proceeded to the consideration of bill pending at recess, to-wit:

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"An act for the relief of prisoners of war from Mississippi in the prisons of the United States."

Mr. McNeil offered the following substitute for bill:

An act to authorize the Governor to export fifteen hundred bales of cotton for the benefit of Confederate prisoners in the hands of the enemy.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Mississippi, That the Governor be authorized to make a contract with any individual or company to furnish and deliver at any place or point of shipment where the same can be sold advantageously, fifteen hundred bales of cotton; the proceeds of which, after paying all cost and expenses, shall be applied to the relief of prisoners from this State now in northern prisons, or so much of the funds arising from the sale of such cotton as may be deemed sufficient for their relief. That the Governor shall appoint two or more commissioners who shall take charge of the cotton, attend to the sale and the appropriation of the funds, and that said commissioners shall take duplicate vouchers of all purchases or appropriations made out of said fund, and that said commissioners shall make a full report of the sale of said cotton and appropriations of the funds arising therefrom. That any money remaining in the hands of said commissioners shall be paid into the State Treasury and appropriated to the purchase of any of the outstanding liabilities, which may be obtained on the most advantageous terms, of the State. That said commissioners shall be allowed a fair and reasonable compensation for their services and expenses by the Governor.

Be it further enacted, That this act take effect from and after its passage.

Which, on motion of Mr. Johnson of Wilkinson, was laid on the table.

Mr. Upshaw offered the following amendment:

After word "cotton" in 3d section, 3d line insert "or money," which was adopted.

Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, offered the following amendment by way of an additional section:

SEC.--. Be it further enacted, That should it be ascertained by the Governor that the Confederate Government has shipped cotton for the benefit of our officers and soldiers who are now in northern prisons to an amount sufficient to meet their wants, and shall have sent commissioners to make arrangements to meet their wants and comforts, or should it be ascertained that a general exchange of prisoners has been agreed upon between the commissioners of exchange of the respective Governments, and there be reason to believe that an exchange will be effected within a reasonable time, then the execution of this act shall be suspended until

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the emergency shall arise for its provisions to be carried out, which was adopted.

Mr. Barton moved to amend by way of additional section:

SEC. --. Be it further enacted, That no cotton shall be purchased under the provisions of this act until the Governor shall have first ascertained whether the cotton will be allowed to pass the Confederate and Federal lines, and be distributed in accordance with the intention of this act; and further, whether it be necessary to ship the cotton at all.

Which was adopted.

Mr. Liddell offered the following amendment, which was lost:

Strike out all after the enacting clause, first section, second line, to "state," in the fourth line, and insert "two commissioners from among the number of prisoners of this State now in the hands of the enemy, shall be selected by the Governor.

On motion of Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, the bill and amendments were made special order for to-morrow at 10 o'clock, A. M., in committee of the whole.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. J. W. Irvin, Messenger, until Monday next.

Mr. Brown asked and obtained indefinite leave of absence for Mr. Kirk, on account of illness in his family.

The following message was received from his Excellency, the Governor:

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Columbus, March 1, 1865.

Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives:

I transmit the report of Rev. C. K. Marshall, Agent for the State Hospitals, and recommend its suggestions to your early and favorable consideration. His accounts are also herewith sent for your information. The vouchers are in my possession, subject to examination.

CHARLES CLARK.

The following message was received from the House:

MR. SPEAKER: The Senate have passed bills of the following titles:

An act to require the Auditor of Public Accounts to issue his warrant in favor of the Mobile and Ohio railroad, for certain monies received by M. D. Haynes, late Treasurer, and for other purposes.

And have adopted a joint resolution, entitled "Resolution relative to the impressment of cotton and tobacco,

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and conscribing and arming slaves by the Government."

Also, joint resolution inviting the Rev. C. K. Marshall to address the Legislature.

In all of which the concurrence of the House is desired.

The Senate have passed House bills entitled as follows:

An act to amend an act entitled an act amendatory of an act entitled an act for the relief of the 1st battalion, Mississippi State Troops, commanded by Major Harper.

An act to repeal an act to secure the interest on the Chickasaw school fund, so far as it relates to the county of Pontotoc, approved December 2, 1858.

An act for the relief of Captain W. G. Middleton, farmer captain of the Panola Cavalry, and Captain J. R. Taylor, his successor in office.

An act to amend chapter 5, articles 10 and 11, of the Revised Code.

An have adopted a substitute for House bill, entitled an act to repeal an act entitled an act for the relief of Dempsey Sherrod. Said substitute is entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act for the relief of Dempsey Sherrod, approved August 12, 1864.

On motion of Mr Young, adjourned until to-morrow morning, at 9 o'clock.

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1865.

House met pursuant to adjournment.

On motion of Mr. Stricklin, the reading of the journals were dispensed with.

Mr. Morehead presented the petition of W. M. Haley, Sheriff of Copiah county, which on his motion was referred to Committee on Claims.

Mr. Cunningham presented petition of T. P. Barton, of Noxubee county, which on his motion was referred to Committee on Claims.

Mr. Grace presented petition of sundry citizens of Lauderdale county, which on his motion was referred without reading to Committee on Propositions and Grievances.

Mr. Bestor presented a letter from L. A. Duncan, sonr, of Lauderdale county, with an accompanying bill, which on

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his motion was referred to Committee on Education, without reading.

Mr. Wells, from Committee on Propositions and Grievances made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Propositions and Grievances to whom was referred the petition of M. Greenhood, of Clark county, praying that an excess of taxes paid by him in 1863 be refunded, have had the same under consideration and have instructed me to report a bill to the House for his relief, with a recommendation that it do pass, which on his motion was received and agreed to, and on motion of Mr. Brown the constitutional rule was suspended, bill read three several times and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, from Committee on Enrolled Bills made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Enrollments have examined bills of the following titles and finding the same correctly enrolled, have submitted to the Governor, for his approval and signature, viz:

An act to remove the civil disabilities of Emma E. and Walter P. Kennedy, minors of Carroll county, Mississippi.

An act for the relief of Henry E. Rasco, Executor, &c. of Lafayette county.

An act to remove the civil disabilities of Evander H. Russ a minor of Hancock county.

An act to remove the civil disabilities of Daniel Cohen, a minor of Wilkinson county.

An act to authorize the Board of Police of the county of Tippah to borrow money from the Treasurer of the School Fund of said county.

An act to amend chapter 5, articles 10 and 11 of the Revised Code.

Joint resolution in relation to Genl. Joseph E. Johnston.

Resolutions granting leave of absence to the Hon. William H. Kilpatrick.

Mr. Murdock from the Committee on Claims, made the following report, which was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Claims to whom was referred the bill to be entitled "An act for the relief of Peter Ratcliff, Sheriff of Amite county," have considered the same and have instructed me to report it back to the House with the recommendation that it do not pass.

Mr. Brown from Committee on Treasurer's office made the following report which was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The committee to whom was referred a bill

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to be entitled "An act to provide for the examination of the offices of Auditor of Public Accounts and State Treasurer approved December 1, 1863," have had the same under consideration and ask leave to report that they have adopted the accompanying as a substitute for the 1st section of said bill. They have furthermore struck out the 2d and 3d sections of said bill, for the reason that they are of opinion, from all the information in their possession, that it is impracticable to have a true and final settlement of the account between S. L. Hussey, former Treasurer, and the State, without running the hazzard of impairing the rights of innocent third parties. With these modifications your committee recommend the passage of said bill.

Mr. Owen offered the following amendment which was rejected:

Be it enacted, That the commissioners be instructed to give the late Treasurer credit for all money of the old issue Confederate money which he paid out properly at the discount of 33 1-3 per cent.

Mr. Deason of Jones, moved to lay bill on the table which was rejected, and on motion of Mr. Brown the constitutional rule was suspended, bill read third time and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Leddell, from select committee, to whom was referred so much of the Governor's message as related to the report of the Salt Agent of the State, made the following report, which was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The committee to whom was referred the report of the State Commissioners on the several salt agencies, have had the report of the General Agent for the State Mr. Z. A. Phillips, submitted to them for examination since their report upon salt agents Pattison and Blackburn was made to the House, and beg leave to report that they have looked into the report of Mr. Phillips with considerable care and interest, and deem it but an act of simple justice to say that he has discharged the trust confided in him with commendable energy, ability and fidelity. This work has been prosecuted under many difficulties, and at a very heavy cost to the Treasury. The following table will exhibit the statement of Mr. Phillip's account:

Amount drawn from State Treasury $147,216 25

Amount drawn from A. M. West 11,497 40

Amount drawn from Capt. W. C. Turner 2,800 00

Proceeds of sale of Salt 67,840 06

Less cash paid into the State Treasury $10,696 00

Total $218,657 71

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And he has expended in the purchase of property and for transportation, building, labor $154,000 00

Manufacture of Salt and transportation of same to railroad 64,657 71

Total $218,657 71

He has made to Jan. 1, 1865 of Salt 579 783 lbs.

Of this there has been distributed to counties free of charge in lieu of same quantity destroyed by the enemy 5,869 lbs

Exchanged for necessary supplies 79,703

Distributed to the various counties 436,316

Remaining on hand Jan. 1, '65 57,895

Total 579,783 lbs.

There are now four furnaces in successful operation with an estimated producing capacity of forty to fifty bushels each per day. The labor is very seriously interfered with by the exceedingly wet fall and winter of the past and present year, the wells being ten feet under water at date of report; but much of the delay and inconvenience resulting from this source is avoided by conveying the salt water in tubes a distance of two and a half miles, to the higher pine lands; by which also is saved the great expense and labor of hauling the wood to the water. Another and not the least important advantage obtained by this skillful device of Mr. P. is that, whereas the wells are situated in a low, marshy, miasmatic district, productive of much disease, intermittent, billious and typhoid fevers, in the summer and fall, and pneumonia in winter, a healthier locality is secured for the operatives in the dry pine lands adjacent.

Your committee express, with much confidence, the hope and belief that the public will not be disappointed in the results obtained from these works, through the energetic and skillful management of Mr. Phillips.

No further legislation being desired, your committee ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

Mr. Powe, by leave, introduced a bill, to be entitled an act to amend section 9, article 87, on page 445, of the Revised Code, so as to authorize the Probate Judges of the several counties in this State to grant orders for the sale of perishable property, at the time of the granting of letters of administration; which, on his motion, was read twice,

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under a suspension of the rule, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. Murdock presented a memorial from the Baptist State Convention, which, on his motion, was referred to the Committee on Education.

Mr. Houston introduced a bill, to be entitled an act to insure the hearing and decision of causes in the High Court of Errors and Appeals; which, on his motion, was read twice, under a suspension of the rule, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Hanson introduced bill to be entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to aid in strengthening the Confederate cavalry, which, on his motion, was read twice, under a suspension of the rule, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. Upshaw introduced bill, to be entitled an act to repeal all laws forbidding slaves to be quartered by themselves, and for other purposes, which, on his motion, was referred, without reading, to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. Upshaw offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That Ex-Governor John J. Pettus be invited to a seat within the bar of this House.

Mr. Yandell called up special order of the day, being a bill to be entitled an act for the relief of prisoners of war from Mississippi, confined in the prisons of the United States.

The House resolved itself into Committee of the Whole, upon consideration of said bill, Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto in the chair.

After some time spent therein, the Committee rose, reported bill back to the House, with sundry amendments thereto, and recommended that bill, as amended, do pass; which, on motion of Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, was received and agreed to.

Mr. Murdock moved that bill be engrossed and made special order for Friday, at 11 A. M., which was lost.

Mr. Rucks moved to make bill special order for 3 P. M., which was lost.

Mr. Upshaw moved a suspension of the rule, that bill be read third time and pass, which was adopted.

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Bill read third time and passed, by ayes and nays, called for by Messrs. Gowan, Upshaw and Seal, of Harrison.

Yeas--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Anderson, Allen, Bradford, Bestor, Bromley, Boon, Brown, Barnett, Cunningham, Daniel, Dillard, Eskridge, Fox, Fort, Grace, Hicks, Hooker Hanson, High, Hendon, Isom, Irby, Jackson, Johnson, of DeSoto, Johnson, of Wilkinson, Kirk, Liddell, Lott, Lowry, Lewers, Minter, Morehead, Montgomery, McLemore, McGehee, Owen, Pounds, Powe, Pinson, Reagan, Rucks, Staples, Stricklan, Sessions, Shelly, Sutton, Stephens, Upshaw, Wynne and Yandell--51.

Nays--Messrs. Arnold, Barton, Buntin, Carroll, Dancer, Deason, of Jones, Foxworth, Gowan, Gray, Moore, Murdock, McKay, of N., McLaurin, McElroy, McNeil, Pope, Robinson, Seal, of H., Seal, of Hancock, Stubbs, of Smith, Tindall, Wells and Young--23.

The following message was received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER: The Senate has passed bills with the following titles, viz:

A bill to be entitled an act for the relief of the Probate Clerk of Marion county, and for other purposes.

A bill to be entitled an act to repeal article 39, section 8, chapter, 33, of the Revised Code, for a limited period, and for other purposes.

A bill to remove the civil disabilities of George K. Smith.

And have passed House bills entitled as follows:

A bill entitled an act to incorporate the Pioneer Machine Company.

An act to authorize the Quartermaster General of the State to pay to the officers and men of the 2d battalion and 6th regiment, Mississippi State Troops, for horses which were killed before they were appraised and valued.

An act relative to the relief of indigent families of soldiers in Yazoo county, with an amendment thereto.

Resolution calling on the Confederate States Government for the payment of our troops.

Mr. Hicks called up Senate resolutions appointing a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, which, on his motion, was concurred in.

Mr. Tindall called up special order of the day, being report

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of special committee on distilleries, and bill offered by said committee.

On motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, the House resolved itself into committee of the whole, on consideration of said bill, Mr. Seal, of Harrison, in the chair.

After some time spent therein, the committee rose, reported bill back to the House, with a recommendation that committee sit again at 3 P. M.; which, on motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, was received and agreed to.

On motion of Mr. McGehee, the House adjourned to 3 o'clock, P. M.

THREE O'CLOCK P. M.

House met, and resumed consideration of bill, in committee of the whole, entitled an act for the suppression of contraband distillation of spirits, and for making the production of spirits a source of revenue to this State, and for other purposes, Seal, of Harrison, in the chair.

After some time spent therein, the committee rose, reported bill back to the House, with a recommendation that it do not pass, which was received and agreed to.

Mr. Liddell offered the following resolution, which, on his motion, was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the propriety of establishing a court of claims in this State, and report by bill otherwise.

Mr. Murdock asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Moore, of Chickasaw, from and after to-morrow.

Mr. Gowan asked and obtained leave for Mr. Deason, of Jones, after to-morrow.

The following message was received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER: The Senate have passed a bill, entitled an act relative to indigent families of soldiers in Warren county; and have passed House bills entitled as follows:

An act for the relief of C. S. Whitcomb, of Holmes county.

An act to amend an act entitled an act to incorporate the Female Institute of the town of Canton, Madison county, Miss.

An act to incorporate the Newton Female Institute.

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An act making an appropriation for repairing the capitol.

The following message was received from the Governor:

MR. SPEAKER: I am instructed by his Excellency, the Governor, to inform the House of Representatives that he did, on this day, (2d of March,) approve and sign the following House bills, to-wit:

Joint resolution in relation to Gen. Joseph E. Johnston.

An act to remove the civil disabilities of David Cohen, a minor, of Wilkinson county.

An act to authorize the Board of Police of Tippali county to borrow money from the trustees of the school funds of said county.

An act to remove the civil disabilities of Emma E. Kennedy and Walter P. Kennedy, minors, of Carroll county, Miss.

An act for the relief of Henry E. Rasco, executor, of Lafayette county.

An act to remove the civil disabilities of Evander H. Russ, a minor, of Hancock county.

Resolution granting leave of absence to Hon. Wm. H. Kilpatrick.

An act to amend chapter 5, articles 10 and 11, of the Revised Code.

On motion of Mr. Young, the House adjourned until tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.

FRIDAY, March 3, 1865.

House met pursuant to adjournment. On motion of Mr. Hendon reading of journals was dispensed with.

Mr. Grace asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. McElroy.

Mr. Robinson asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. McKay, of Neshoba.

On motion of Mr. Carroll, the call of counties was dispensed with.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, from the Judiciary Committee made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred a bill entitled, "An act to authorize the Tax Collector of Newton county to refund certain money therein mentioned," have had the

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same under consideration, and instructed me to report the same back with a recommendation that it do not pass.

Which on his motion was received and agreed to.

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred the petition or memorial of Stephen A. Brown, Judge of the Court of Probate for Lowndes county, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report that legislation is unnecessary upon the subject contemplated in said memorial, and ask to be discharged from further consideration of the same.

Which on his motion was received and agreed to.

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred a bill entitled, "An act to amend Section 9, Article 87 on page 445 of the Revised Code, so as to authorize the Probate Judges of the several counties in this State to grant orders for the sale of perishable property at the time of grant of Letters of Administration," have had the same under consideration, and have made an amendment thereto, and instructed me to report the same back with a recommendation that said bill do pass with the amendment.

Which on his motion was received and agreed to.

And on his further motion, bill read third time, under a suspension of the rule, and passed as amended.

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred a bill entitled, "An act to repeal all laws forbidding slaves to be quartered by themselves, and for other purposes," have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the same back with a recommendation that it do pass.

Which on his motion was received and agreed to.

Mr. Liddell moved to strike out the words "or in towns."

Mr. Gowan moved to lay bill and amendment on table.

Which was rejected.

The question recurring on the motion of Mr. Liddell to strike out, was adopted.

Mr. Speaker Houston offered the following substitute for first section of bill:

"Strike out all after enacting clause," and insert, "That it shall hereafter be lawful for masters to quarter their slaves on their plantations without overseers; Provided, the owner or agent shall make affidavit that he or she cannot procure the services of a suitable person to place over them."

Mr. Young moved to lay substitute on the table.

Which was lost.

The question recurring on the adoption of the substitute offered by Mr. Speaker Houston, it was adopted.

Mr. Murdock moved an amendment to title.

Which was adopted.

On motion of Mr. Minter, bill was read three times as amended

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under a suspension of the rule, and by ayes and nays, called for by Messrs. Dancer, Gowan and Robinson.

YEAS--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Anderson, Allen, Arnold, Bradford, Bestor, Bromley, Boon, Bradley, Barton, Buntin, Barnett, Brown, Cunningham, Carroll, Deason of Jones, Daniel, Dillard, Eskridge, Fox, Foxworth, Fort, Gully, Grace, Gowan, Hooker, Hanson, Hendon, Isom, Irby, Jackson, Johnson, of Wilkinson, Liddell, Lott, Lowry, Morehead, Montgomery, Murdock, McLemore, McKay, of Neshoba, McLaurin, McElroy, McGehee, McNeil, Owen, Pope, Pounds, Powe, Pinson, Pruitt, Reagan, Rucks, Robinson, Staples Seal, of Harrison, Stricklan, Seal, of Hancock, Sessions, Shelly, Sutton, Stubbs, of Smith, Stephens, Tindall, Upshaw, Wells, Wynne, Yandell, Young--68.

NAYS--Messrs. Dancer, Gray, High, Johnson, of DeSoto, Johnson, of Tippah, Kirk, Lewers, Minter.--8.

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee, to which was referred a bill to be entitled, "An act to insure the hearing and decision of cases in the High Court of Errors and Appeals," have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the same back with a recommendation that it do not pass.

Which on his motion, was received and agreed to.

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred the petition of W. M. Haley, Sheriff and Tax Collector of Copiah county, praying an act of the Legislature to make void the sale of certain lands therein described from said Haley as such Tax Collector to Charles Deterly, to whom he had executed deeds, and the said Charles Deterly having died without making payment, have had the subject matter under consideration and have instructed me to report the same back to the House with a recommendation that they be discharged from further consideration of the same.

Which on his motion was received and agreed to.

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred so much of the Governor's message as relates to crimes and recommending the establishment of inferior courts of criminal jurisdiction, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report that in the opinion of the committee that no inferior court of criminal jurisdiction can be established in one county to try persons charged with offences committed in another without violating the plain meaning of the first article, section 10 of the State Constitution, and recommend that they be discharged from further consideration of the same.

Which on his motion, was received and agreed to.

MR. SPEAKER: The Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred so much of the Governor's message as relates to exempts, have had the same under consideration, and instructed me to report that the present Justices of the Peace and Constables in the State have been elected under the Constitution and the laws

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made in pursuance thereof, for the term prescribed by the said Constitution, and the committee are of the opinion that the Legislature has no power to abate any of said offices so as to effect the present incumbents or to shorten the term for which they were severally elected, and ask to be discharged from further consideration of the same.

Which, on his motion, was received and agreed to.

Mr. Murdock, from the Committee on Ways and Means, made the following report, which, on his motion, was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Ways and Means to whom was referred a bill to be entitled, "An act for the relief of the estate and securities of B. F. Toomer, former sheriff of Itawamba county, have considered the same and have instructed me to report it back with an amendment, and recommend that it do pass.

On motion of Mr. Shelby, the rule was suspended, bill read third time and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Upshaw, from the Committee on Military Affairs, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Military Affairs to whom was referred an act to amend an act entitled an act making appropriations for the military service for the next fiscal year, approved December 9th, 1863, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report it back to the House with the recommendation that it do pass, which, on his motion, was received and agreed to; and on his further motion the rule was suspended and bill read second time.

On motion of Mr. Reagan, House resolved itself into committee of the whole for the consideration of said bill, Mr. Upshaw in the chair.

After a short time spent thereon the committee rose, reported the bill back to the House with a recommendation that it do pass.

On motion of Mr. Upshaw, the report was received and agreed to; and on his further motion the rule was suspended, bill read third time and passed, title standing as stated.

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred an act, entitled 'An act to amend an act entitled an act to aid in strengthening the army of the Confederate States," have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report that no legislation is required.

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Which, on motion of Mr. Upshaw, was received and agreed to.

Mr. Upshaw, from Committee on Military Affairs, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Military to whom was referred a bill to be entitled, "An act to provide for the purchase of horses for the benefit of the Mississippi cavalry, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the bill back to the House with the recommendation that it do pass.

On motion of Mr. Young the House refused to agree to the report. Bill lost.

The following message was received from the Senate.

MR. SPEAKER: The Senate have passed a bill entitled, "An act to amend an act entitled an act to amend an act to provide for organizing and disciplining the militia of this State," approved August 13th, 1864, and for other purposes.

Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, from Committee on Enrolled Bills, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Enrolled Bills have examined bills of the following titles, and finding them correctly enrolled, have submitted them to the Governor for his approval and signature:

"An act making an appropriation for repairing the capitol."

"An act to incorporate the Newton Female Institute."

"An act to amend an act entitled an act to incorporate the Canton Female Institute, in the town of Canton, Madison county, Miss."

"An act for the relief of C. S. Whitcomb of Holmes county."

"An act to repeal an act to secure the interest on the Chickasaw School Fund, so far as relates to the county of Pontotoc," approved December 2nd, 1858.

"An act to authorize the Treasurer to re-issue one hundred and fifty thousand dollars of the treasury notes of this State, which have been funded in the eight per cent. bonds, and to destroy a similar amount of the small warrants authorized by act of April 5, 1864, and for other purposes."

"An act to amend Article 14, chapter 21, page 206, Revised Code."

"An act fixing the fees of jailors for feeding prisoners."

"An act to appoint additional commissioners in districts one and five in Panola county."

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"An act for the relief of the State Institution for the Blind."

"An act to amend an act entitled an act amendatory of an act entitled an act for the relief of the first battalion of Mississippi State troops, commanded by Major Harper.

"An act for the relief of the Probate and Circuit Clerks of Lafayette county."

"An act for the relief of Capt. W. G. Middleton, former Captain of the Panola cavalry, and Capt. J. R. Taylor, his successor in office."

On motion of Mr. Morehead, House took a recess until 3 o'clock, P. M.

THREE O'CLOCK, P. M.

The recess having expired the House resumed its session.

Mr. Bestor, from the Committee on Education, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Education to whom was referred a bill to incorporate the Home for soldiers' orphans of the State of Mississippi, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the bill back to the House, with a recommendation that it do pass.

Which, on his motion, was received and agreed to; and on his further motion, rule was suspended, bill read three several times and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, from Committee on Enrolled Bills, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Enrollments have examined bills of the following titles, and finding the same correctly enrolled, have submitted them to the Governor for his approval and signature:

"An act to incorporate the Pioneer Machine Company."

"Joint resolutions calling on the Confederate States Government for the payment of our troops."

"An act to authorize the Quartermaster General of the State to pay to the officers and men of the Second Battalion, and 6th Regiment Mississippi State troops, for horses which were killed before they were appraised and valued."

Mr. Fox, from Committee on Public Lands, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Public Lands, to whom was referred a resolution instructing the committee to inquire into the expediency of withdrawing the

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public lands from sale and entry, and securing to actual settlers the right of pre-emption, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report that, in the opinion of the committee, the measure proposed is inexpedient, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

Which, on his motion, was received and agreed to.

Mr. Tindall, by leave, introduced a bill, to be entitled an act to supply the counties of Monroe and Harrison with spirits for medicinal purposes, which, on his motion, was, under a suspension of the rule, read three several times, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Barton, by leave, introduced a bill, to be entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to prevent the distillation of spirituous liquors, and to declare the distilleries to be public and common nuisances, and to authorize the same to be abated, and for other purposes, so far as the same relates to the counties of Itawamba and Tishamingo; which, on his motion, was read twice, under a suspension of the rule.

On motion, the counties of Tippah, Tallahatchie, Hancock, Lawrence, Hinds, Pontotoc, Lafayette, Rankin, Yallobusha, Sunflower, Madison, Carroll, Yazoo, Winston, Attala, Scott, Marshall, Wilkinson, Clark, Marion and Covington were included in the provisions of the bill.

On motion of Mr. Allen the bill was laid on the table, to be called up at a future time.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, from joint select committee to whom was referred that portion of the Governor's message in relation to destitute families, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The joint select committee, to whom was referred so much of the Governor's message as relates to destitute families, have had the same under consideration, the said committee have prepared a bill upon that subject, and report said bill to the House, with a recommendation that it do pass.

Which, on his motion, was received and agreed to.

And, on his further motion, a bill to be entitled an act to reduce into one the acts for the relief of destitute families, and for other purposes, was read twice, under a suspension of the rule; and, on motion of Mr. Rucks

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was laid on the table, one hundred copies ordered to be printed, and bill made special order for Saturday, 4th instant, at 3 o'clock, P. M.

Mr. Fort, by leave, introduced a bill, to be entitled an act to repeal an act supplemental to an act to require tax collectors to collect taxes of 1863 and 1864, by the assesment rolls of the fiscal year 1862, passed at the present session of the Legislature, approved August 13, 1864, which, on his motion, was read twice, under a suspension of the rule.

Mr. Liddell offered the following amendment, which was adopted:

Provided, that the sheriff shall, in all cases where it is practicable, assess and collect the additional taxes imposed by the act amendatory of the revenue laws of this State, approved December 9, 1863.

Mr. Gowan moved to lay bill and amendment on the table, which was lost.

On motion of Mr. Fort, the rule was suspended, bill read third time and passed as amended.

Mr. Eskridge called up the Senate messages.

Senate bill to be entitled an act to authorize and require the payment of certain funds to the parties therein named, was, on motion of Mr. Eskridge, read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Senate bill, to be entitled an act to amend an act to amend article 32, section 8, of the Revised Code, approved December 8, 1863, was, on motion of Mr. Young, read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed, title standing as stated.

On motion of Mr. Eskridge, House concurred in Senate amendment to House bill entitled, "An act to grant freedom to male slave Loyd, the property of James N. Harper of Tallahatchie county."

Senate bill to be entitled, "An act to amend the fifty-second chapter of the Revised Code, entitled an act to regulate the remedy by attachment against debtors," was, on motion of Mr. Hicks, read twice, under a suspension of the rule, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Senate bill to be entitled, "An act to repeal an act approved December 19th, 1861, entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to incorporate the town of Canton, and to

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repeal all former acts incorporating the same, and all acts amendatory thereof, and for other purposes," was, on motion of Mr. Lott, read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Senate bill to be entitled, "An act to regulate the action of the Police Courts in certain cases," was, on motion of Mr. Eskridge, read three several times, under a suspension of the rule and passed, title standing as stated.

On motion of Mr. Yandell the House concurred in Senate amendment to House bill to be entitled, "An act relative to the relief of indigent families of soldiers in Yazoo county."

Mr. Stephens asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Grace.

Mr. Liddell asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. McLemore for two days.

On motion of Mr. Staples, Mr. Upshaw was added to the select committee on indigent families.

Mr. Upshaw moved to refer the bill making special appropriations for certain counties therein named for relief of indigent families, to the joint select committee to whom that subject had been previously referred, which was adopted.

On motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, the House adjourned until 10 o'clock to-morrow morning.

SATURDAY, March 4, 1865.

House met pursuant to adjournment.

Journal of yesterday read and approved.

The following message was received from his Excellency the Governor, through his private Secretary.

MR. SPEAKER: I am instructed by the Governor to inform the House of Representatives that he did, on the 3rd inst., approve and sign the following House bills, to-wit:

An act to incorporate the Newton Female Institute.

An act making an appropriation for repairing the Capitol.

An act to repeal an act entitled an act to secure the interest on the Chickasaw School Fund, so far as relates to the county of Pontotoc, approved Dec. 2nd, 1858.

An act for the relief of C. S. Whitcomb of Holmes county.

An act to amend article 14, chap: 21, page 206, Revised Code.

An act to authorize the State Treasurer to reissue one hundred and fifty thousand dollars of the Treasury notes of this State which have been funded in eight per cent, bonds, and to destroy a

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similar amount of the small warrants authorized by act of April 5th, 1864, and for other purposes.

An act for the relief of W. G. Middleton, former captain of the Panola Cavalry, and Capt. J. R. Taylor, his successor in office.

An act to appoint additional commissioners in districts one and five in Panola county.

An act fixing the fees of Jailors for feeding prisoners.

An act for the relief of the State Institution for the Blind.

An act to amend an act entitled an act amendatory of an act entitled an act for the relief of the 1st Battalion of Mississippi State troops, commanded by Maj. Harper.

An act for the relief of the Probate and Circuit Clerks of Lafayette county.

An act to authorize the Quarter Master General of the State to pay to the officers and men of the 2nd Battalion and 6th Regiment Mississippi State troops for horses which were killed before they were appraised and valued.

Joint Resolutions calling on the Confederate States Government for the payment of our troops.

An act to amend an act entitled an act to incorporate the Canton Female Institute in the town of Canton, Madison county, Mississippi.

MR. SPEAKER: The Senate have passed bills of the following titles, in which the House is asked to concur:

An act authorizing Sheriffs to receive certain claims in payment of county taxes levied for the support of destitute families.

An act to allow the accused to submit a statement in criminal cases.

An act in relation to the appointment of guardians of infants by the Chancery Courts in certain cases, and to amend an act entitled an act to provide for the support of infants in certain cases, approved February 11, 1860.

An act for the relief of Robert Shotwell.

And have passed House bills entitled as follows:

An act for the relief of M. Greenhood of Clark county.

An act for the relief of prisoners of war from Mississippi confined in the prisons of the United States, with sundry amendments thereto, in which the concurrence of the House is desired.

Mr. Speaker announced as regular order of business the consideration of Senate messages.

Senate bill entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to provide for organizing and disciplining the militia of the State, approved August 13, 1864, and for other purpose.

On motion of Mr. Upshaw the Rules were suspended and the bill read the second time.

Mr. Upshaw moved that the bill be made the special order for Monday 10 o'clock, which was rejected.

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On motion of Mr. Reagan, the House resolved itself into committee of the whole for the consideration of said bill, Mr. Reagan in the chair.

After some time spent therein the committee rose, reported bill back to the House, and asked leave to sit again at 3, P. M., which on motion of Mr. Reagan was received and agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Seal of Harrison the House took recess till 3 P. M.

THREE O'CLOCK, P. M.

The recess having expired, the House resumed in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of an act entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to provide for organizing and disciplining the militia of this State, approved August 13th, 1864, and for other purposes, Mr. Reagan in the chair.

After some time spent therein, the committee rose and reported the bill back to the House with the recommendation that it do not pass.

On motion of Mr. Reagan, the report was received.

Mr. Bradford moved a rejection of the report of the committee, which was lost.

On motion of Mr. Seal of Harrison the report of the committee was agreed to by yeas and nays, called for by Messrs. Bradford, Sricklin and Seal of Harrison.

YEAS--Messrs. Anderson. Arnold, Bromley, Barton, Buntin, Carroll, Dancer, Deason of Jones, Dillard, Fox, Foxworth, Gully, Gowan, Gray, Hicks, Hanson, High, Hendon, Isom, Jackson, Johnson of W., Johnson of T., Kirk, Lott, Montgomery, McKay of N, McLaurin, McElroy, Pope, Pounds, Powe, Pinson, Rucks, Seal of H., Stricklin, Seal of H., Sessions, Sutton, Stubbs of S., Wells, Yandell, Young--42.

NAYS--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Allen, Bradford, Bestor, Boon, Badley, Brown, Barnett, Cunningham, Daniel, Eskridge, Falconer, Fort, Hooker, Irby, Johnson of D., Liddell, Lewers, Minter, Morehead, Murdock, McGehee, McNeil, Owen, Pruit, Reagan, Robinson, Staples, Shelly, Stephens, Tindall, Upshaw, Wynne--33.

The following Resolution was adopted:

Resolved, That the Hon. J. A. Orr be invited to address the Legislature at 7 o'clock, P. M., on Monday next.

A communication from Rev. Dr. C. K. Marshall, accepting the invitation of the Legislature to address them, and designating this evening at 7 o'clock, P. M., as the hour, was presented by the Speaker.

On motion of Mr. Seal of Harrison, the House adjourned until 10 o'clock, A. M., Monday next.

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MONDAY, March 6, 1865.

House met pursuant to adjournment.

Prayer by Rev. Dr. Lyon.

Mr. Eskridge asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Buntin.

Mr. Stephens asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. McLaurin, from and after to-morrow.

On motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, the reading of the journals was dispensed with.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, by leave, introduced a bill to be entitled an act to provide compensation for members of the Legislature, which, on his motion, was read second time, under a suspension of the rule, and made special order for 3 o'clock P. M., this day.

The following message was received from his Excellency, the Governor, through his private secretary:

His Excellency has this day signed House bill, entitled "An act to incorporate the Pioneer Machine Company."

The following message was received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER: The Senate has passed the following entitled bills:

An act to repeal an act entitled an act amendatory of article 6, chapter 3, page 292, of the Revised Code," approved December 7, 1863, and to amend act entitled an act to compel railroads to keep lights and water on their cars, approved November 18, 1863.

A bill for the relief of R. A. Anderson, of Holmes county.

A bill to be entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to prevent the distillation of spirituous liquors, and to declare the distilleries to be public and common nuisances, and to authorize the same to be abated, and for other purposes, approved April 5, 1864.

A bill, entitled an act to authorize the Governor to contract with suitable persons for the introduction of quartermaster stores, cotton and wool cards and mediines.

A bill to be entitled an act to authorize and require the emoval of criminals from insecure and unsate jails in his State, and for other purposes.

A bill to be entitled an act to authorize the Mayor and

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Selectmen to increase the taxes on property in the corporate limits of the town of Macon.

Also passed the following House bills:

An act entitled an act to secure the prompt settlement of outstanding claims against the quartermaster's department of the State of Mississippi.

An act for the relief of the estate and securities of B. F. Toomer, former Sheriff of Itawamba county.

Mr. Murdock offered the following joint resolution, which, on his motion, was read twice, under a suspension of the rule, and adopted:

Whereas, the time has arrived, in the opinion of this Legislature, when it is the duty of every citizen to nerve himself to a full consciousness of his duty, and to lay upon the altar of his country his best efforts. Therefore,

Resolved, (the Senate concurring,) That the members of this Legislature are hereby requested to canvass their respective counties, for the purpose of arousing the people, and especially to urge all who are now absent from their commands to return immediately, to the end that the army may be strengthened for the spring campaign.

On motion of Mr. Upshaw, the call of counties was dispensed with.

Mr. Barton asked a suspension of the rule, with a view to taking from the table a bill to be entitled an act to amend an act to prevent the distillation of spirituous liquors, &c., which was rejected.

Mr. Upshaw moved to take up Senate message, which was rejected.

Mr. Yandell moved to suspend regular order of business, with a view to reconsidering the vote on Saturday last by which a bill to amend the act to authorize the disciplining of the militia, &c., was lost; which was lost.

Mr. Yandell gave notice that, on some future day, he would move a reconsideration of said vote.

Mr. Minter moved to take up Senate messages, which was lost.

Mr. Murdock, from the Committee on Ways and Means, made the following report, which was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred a bill to be entitled an act to amend section 7, chapter 6, of the Revised Code of the State of

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Mississippi, so far as the same provides compensation to the State Printer, have considered the same, and have instructed me to report it back, with the recommendation that it do not pass.

Mr. Murdock, from the Committee on Ways and Means, made the following report:

Mr. Speaker: The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred that portion of the Governor's Message relative to the education of soldier's children, so far as appropriations are concerned, have considered the same, and instruct me to report that, while we fully appreciate the duty of the State, and would not, in any way evade it, but, in view of the heavy and imperious demands upon our exhausted Treasury, for the support and absolute maintainance of destitute families, we regard it as unwise to divert any portion of our means at this time, and therefore ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

Which was received and agreed to.

Mr. Murdock, from Committee on Ways and Means, made the following report:

Mr. Speaker: The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred a bill, to be entitled an act to increase the salary of the Probate Judge of Tippah county, with sundry amendments, have considered the same, and have instructed me to report it back, with a recommendation that it do not pass.

Which was received and disagreed to.

Mr. Murdock moved to recommit, with instructions, which was agreed to, by yeas and nays called for by Messrs. Eskridge, Gully and Minter:

Yeas--Messrs. Anderson, Bradford, Barnett, Cunningham, Carroll, Deason, of Jones, Daniel, Dillard, Falconer, Gray, Hooker, Hanson, Isom, Irby, Johnson, of D., Johnson, of W., Liddell, Lott, Lowry, Lewers, Minter Morehead, Montgomery, Murdock, McLemore, McLaurin, McElroy, McNeil, Owen, Pope, Pruit, Reagan, Staples, Seal, of H., Sessions, Sutton, Tindall, Wells, Yandell, Young--42.

Nays--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Bestor, Bromley, Barton, Brown, Buntin, Dancer, Eskridge, Gully, Gowan, Hendon, Jackson, Johnson, of T., Pounds, Powe, Seal, of H., Stricklin, Shelly, Stephens and Wynne--21.

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Mr. Young called up special order, being a bill to be entitled an act to reduce into one all the acts for the relief of destitute families, and for other purposes.

On motion of Mr. Stephens, the House resolved itself into committee of the whole, for the consideration of said bill, Mr. Stephens in the chair.

After sometime spent therein, the committee rose, reported the bill back to the House, with the recommendation that it be recommitted to a select committee of three, which, on motion of Mr. Stephens, was received and agreed to.

The Speaker appointed, as said committee, Messrs. Johnson, of DeSoto, Irby and Fort.

On motion of Mr. Fox, the committee were granted leave to sit during the sessions of the House.

Mr. Reagan, from select committee to whom was referred special message of Governor in relation to contract for furnishing cotton and wool cards, made the following report:

Mr. Speaker: The Select Committee to whom was referred the special message of the Governor in relation to the purchase of cotton and wool cards, medicines, &c., uuder an act of the Legislature, approved December 9th, 1863, have had the same under consideration. They have examined the contracts made in relation to this matter. They find that about one thousand pair of cotton cards and one hundred ounces of quinine is all that has been introduced into the State under said contracts. These contracts are still in existence. Your committee are of opinion that said contracts have not been made in compliance with the intention of the act of the Legislature.

The committee have instructed me to report that in their opinion the act above purpose report the accompanying bill and recommend its passage.

Which on his motion was received.

Mr. Reagan moved to agree to the report; pending which, On motion of Mr. Yandell, the House took a recess until 3 clock, P. M.

THREE O'CLOCK, P. M.

The recess having expired, the House resumed the consideration of the report of the Select Committee, the question being on agreeing to the report, which was pending previous to recess, Which was agreed to.

And bill to be entitled

An act to repeal an act entitled an act to procure cotton and

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wool cards for indigent families of soldiers and citizens of this State, approved Dec. 9th, 1863,

Was, on motion of Mr. Reagan, read three several times under a suspension of the rule and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Seal called up special order, being a bill to provide compensation for members of the Legislature.

Mr. Isom moved that the bill be indefinitely postponed, which was lost. The question recurring on the passage of the bill was decided in the negative by yeas and nays, called for by Messrs. Isom, Stephens and Daniel.

YEAS--Messrs. Bromley, Barton, Buntin, Dancer, Deason of Jones, Eskridge, Fox, Gowan, Hanson, Johnson of T., Lowry Minter, Montgomery, McElroy, McGehee, Owen, Pounds, Pruit, Reagan, Seal of H., Stricklin, Seal of H., Sessions, Shelley, Stubbs of S., and Tindall--26.

NAYS--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Anderson, Allen, Arnold, Boon, Bradley, Burnett, Daniel, Dillard, Falconer, Gully, Hicks, Hooker, High, Hendon, Isom, Johnson of W., Liddell, Lott, Lewers, Murdock, McLemore, McLaurin, Powe, Pinson, Robinson, Stephens, Wells, Yandell and Young--30.

Mr. Stephens called up Senate messages.

Senate substitute being a bill to be entitled

An act to amend an act entitled an act for the relief of Dempsey Sherrod, approved Aug. 12th, 1864,

Was, on motion of Mr. Anderson, read three several times under a suspension of the rule and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Senate amendments to House bill, being an act for the relief of prisoners of war from Mississippi in the prisons of the United States.

1st Amendment--Strike out the word "two" in the second line of the first section, and insert the word "four," in which the House refused to concur.

2nd Amendment--After the word "Mississippi," in the 13th line from the bottom of section 3, add the words "in the constitutional currency of the Confederate States.

Mr. Reagan offered the following amendment: "Provided that such appointments shall not be made from any persons in the civil or military service of the country."

Which was adopted.

The question recurring on the adoption of Senate amendment as amended, was concurred in.

Mr. McGehee moved to lay amendments on the table, which was rejected.

Mr. Gowan moved to lay bill and amendments on the table and make them special order for Saturday next at 12, M., which was

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lost by yeas and nays called for by Messrs. Bradford, Stricklin and Gully.

YEAS--Messrs. Arnold, Bestor, Barton, Brown, Buntin, Carroll, Dancer, Deason of Jones, Fox, Foxworth, Gully, Gowan, Gray, Hanson, Hendon, Isom, Jackson, Lowry, Lewers, Minter, Montgomery, Murdock, McLemore, McLaurin, McElroy, McGehee, Pope, Robinson, Seal of H., Seal of H., Stubbs of S., Stephens, Wells and Young--34.

NAYS--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Anderson, Allen, Bradford. Bromley, Boon, Barnett, Daniel, Dillard, Eskridge, Falconer, Hicks, High, Johnson of W., Johnson of T., Liddell, Lott, Morehead, McNeil, Owen, Pounds, Powe, Pinson, Pruit, Reagan, Staples, Stricklin, Sessions, Shelley, Sutton, Tindall, Upshaw, Wynne, Yandell--35.

House refused to concur in 3d Senate amendment.

Mr. Falconer moved a reconsideratton of the vote by which th House rejected the bill to provide compensation for members of the Legislature. Agreed to.

Mr. Young moved that when this House adjourn, it do so to meet again in the basement of the Baptist Church, which was adopted.

On motion of Mr. Yandell the House reconsidered the vote by which on Saturday it rejected Senate bill entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to amend an act to provide for organizing and disciplining the militia of this State, approved August 13th, 1864, and for other purposes.

On motion of Mr. Allen the House adjourned till 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.

TUESDAY, March 7, 1865.

House met pursuant to adjournment.

On motion of Mr. Eskridge, the reading of the journals was dispensed with.

Leave of absence was granted Messrs. Barnett, Cunningham, Young, Stubbs of Smith, and Dancer.

Mr. Anderson offered the following rosolution, which was adopted:

Be it Resolved, That during the remainder of the present session no member of the House shall speak more than five minutes at one time on any one question.

Mr. Bestor presented memorial and bill, which, on his motion, was referred to Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Shelley gave notice that at a future day he would introduce a bill for the relief of T. C. Ashcraft.

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Mr. Powe introduced a bill, which, on his motion, was referred without reading to the Committee of Ways and Means.

Mr. Barton introduced a bill to be entitled, "An act to amend an act entitled an act to prevent the distillation of spirituous liquors, and to declare the distilleries to be public and common nuisances, and to authorize the same to be abated, and for other purposes," approved April 5th, 1864, which, on his motion, was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forth with, title standing as stated.

Mr. Eskridge introduced a bill to be entitled, "An act to increase the fees of the county officers of Tallahatchie and other counties," which, on his motion, was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Eskridge introduced a bill to be entitled, "An act to require Circuit Judges to hold their courts," which, on his motion, was read second time, under a suspension of the rule.

Mr. Houston offered the following amendment:

"And Judges of the High Court of Errors and Appeals."

On motion of Mr. Young, bill and amendment were referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. McGehee introduced a bill to be entitled, "An act to repeal Art. 9, of chap. 5, of the Revised Code, read first time and placed on calendar.

Mr. Liddell introduced a bill to be entitled, "An act to amend an act to increase the compensation of tax assessors," approved November 30th, 1858, which, on his motion, was read second time under a suspension of the rule, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Stricklan introduced bill to be entitled, "An act to exempt keepers of the Poor House in the several counties of this State from military service," which, on his motion, was referred, without reading, to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. Reagan offered the following resolution, which was read first time:

Resolved, (the Senate concurring,) The two Houses adjourn sine die on Thursday, at 7 o'clock, P. M.

Mr. Houston introduced bill to be entitled, "An act to increase the fees of the County Treasurer of Monroe county, and for other purposes," which was read first time and placed on calendar.

Mr. Falconer introduced a bill to be entitled, "An act to amend an act entitled an act to provide for perfecting and

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preserving records of Mississippi troops," which was read first time and placed on calendar.

Mr. Gowan introduced a bill to be entitled, "An act to provide for the relief of the indigent families of soldiers in the counties of Hancock, Marion, Lawrence, Copiah and Simpson, and for other purposes," which, on his motion, was referred, without reading, to the Committee on Judiciary.

Mr. Shelley introduced a bill for the relief of T. C. Ashcraft, read first time and placed on calendar.

The following message was received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER: The Senate has passed bills with the following titles:

A bill entitled an act amendatory of article six, chapter five, of the Revised Code, and of the resolutions providing for the preservation of the laws and journals, approved Nov. 7th, 1858.

A bill to be entitled an act to change the names of Laura Tice and George Tice.

An act to repeal an act in relation to the publication of legal notices.

An act in relation to loans of notes and bonds issued by the Confederate States or by this State.

Resolution relative to the Department Commander.

An act to authorize tax collectors to refund certain monies herein named.

Also House bills with the following titles:

An act to amend an act entitled an act making appropriations for the military service for the next fiscal year, approved December 9th, 1863.

A bill to be entitled an act to amend Sec. 9, Art. 87, on page 445 of the Revised Code, so as to authorize the Probate Courts of the several counties in this State to grant orders for the sale of perishable property at the time of the grant of letters testamentary of administration.

Also, with an amendment, House bill entitled an act to authorize the quartering of slaves in certain cases on the plantation of their owners.

And have passed a substitute for House bill entitled "An act amendatory of an act to provide for the examination of the Auditor's and Treasurer's office, approved December 1st, 1863, and for other purposes," and for House resolution on the same subject.

Mr. Murdock introduced a bill to be entitled "An act to amend an act entitled an act to incorporate the Southern

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College of Medicine and Surgery," read first time and place on calendar.

Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, from the special committee, mad the following report, which, on his motion. was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The special committee to whom was referred a bill entitled an "An act to reduce into one all the acts for the relief of destitute families, and for other purposes," with instructions to revise the same, have endeavored to discharge the duty assigned them, and have instructed me to report the bill back, (as they hope, in a more acceptable form,) and to recommend that it do pass.

On motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole for the consideration of said bill, Mr. Seal, of Harrison, in the chair.

After some time spent therein the committee rose, reported bill back to the House, with sundry amendments thereto, with a recommendation that the bill as amended do pass.

Which, on motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, was received and agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, bill read third time

Mr. Pruit offered the following additional section as a amendment by way of ryder:

SECTION --. Be it further enacted, That there shall be n tax levied on grain or pork which is wholly produced by the labor of white females,

Which was lost by ayes and nays, called for by Messrs Pruit, Stricklan and Barton.

YEAS.--Messrs. Bromley, Barton, Carroll, Dancer, Eskridge Fort, Gully, Gowan, High, Hendon, Isom, Jackson, Johnson of DeSoto, Johnson of Tippah, Lott, Lewers, Morehead, McGehee, Pounds, Pruit, Robinson, Staples, Stricklan, Seal of Hancock, Shelley, Tindall, Upshaw, Wells and Wynne--29.

NAYS--Messrs. Allen, Bradford, Bestor, Boon, Bradley, Brown, Barnett, Deason of Jones, Daniel, Fox, Foxworth, Falconer, Gray, Hicks, Hooker, Hanson, Irby, Johnson of W., Liddell, Lowry, Murdock, McLemore, McLaurin, McElroy, Owen, Reagan, Seal of Harrison, Sessions, Sutton, Stubbs of S., Stephens and Young--32.

Question recurring upon the passage of the bill, it was passed, title standing as stated.

On motion of Mr. Upshaw, the special message of the Governor in relation to the claims of Dr. C. K. Marshal, was called up, and on his motion, with the accompanying documents, was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

A communication was presented by the Speaker from Hon

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James Phelan, announcing his intention to address the Legislature and citizens to-night at the Court House.

On motion of Mr. Brown, the House took recess until 3, P. M.

THREE O'CLOCK, P. M.

The recess having expired, the House resumed its session.

Mr. Bestor called up special order, a bill to be entitled

An Act to provide compensation for the members of the Legislature.

Which, on motion of Mr. Seal of Harrison, was read third time and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Johnson of DeSoto, from the Enrolling Committee, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Enrolled Bills have examined bills of the following titles, and finding the same correctly enrolled, have this day submitted them to the Governor for his approval and signature:

An act for the relief of M. Greenhood, of Clark county.

An act relative to the relief of indigent families of soldiers in Yazoo county.

An act to grant freedom to male slave Lloyd, property of James N. Harper, of Tallahatchie county.

An act to amend section 9, article 87, page 445, of the Revised Code, so as to authorize the Probate Courts of the several counties in this State to grant orders for the sale of perishable property at the time of the grant of letters testamentary or of administration.

An act to amend an act entitled "An act making appropriations for the military service for the next fiscal year," approved Dec. 9th, 1863.

An act for the relief of the estate and securities of B. F. Toomer former Sheriff of Itawamba county.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, called up Senate messages.

Senate bill to be entitled an act for the relief of the Probate Clerk of Marion county, and for other purposes, was, on motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Senate bill, entitled an act amendatory of article 6, chapter 5, of Revised Code, and of the resolutions providing for the preservation of the laws and journals, approved November 7, 1858.

Senate bill, entitled an act to repeal article 39, section 8, chapter 33, of the Revised Code, for a limited period, and for other purposes, was read twice, under a suspension of the rule, and,

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On motion of Mr. Murdock, referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Senate bill, entitled an act to remove the civil disabilities of George K. Smith, was, on motion of Mr. Minter, read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Senate bill, entitled an act authorizing sheriffs to receive certain claims in payment of county taxes levied for the support of destitute families, was, on motion of Mr. Minter, read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Senate bill, entitled an act to allow the accused to submit a statement in criminal cases, on motion of Mr. Minter, was read a second time, under a suspension of the rule, and,

On motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Senate bill, entitled an act in relation to the appointment of guardians of infants, by the Chancery Courts, in certain cases, and to amend an act entitled an act to provide for the support of infants in certain cases, approved February 11, 1860, was,

On motion of Mr. Minter, read second time, under a suspension of the rule, and,

On motion of Mr. Barton, referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Senate bill, entitled an act for the relief of Robert Shotwell, was, on motion of Mr. Minter, read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Senate bill, entitled an act to require the Auditor of Public Accounts to issue his warrant in favor of the President of the Mobile and Ohio railroad, for certain monies received by M. D. Haynes, late Treasurer, and for other purposes, was read second time, under suspension of the rule, and,

On motion of Mr. Upshaw, referred to Judiciary Committee.

Senate bill, entitled an act to authorize the Governor to contract with suitable persons for the introduction of quartermaster stores, cotton and wool cards and medicines, was read the first time, and on motion of Mr. Reagan, was indefinitely postponed.

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Senate bill, entitled an an act to authorize and require the removal of criminals from insecure or unsafe jails in this State, and for other purposes, which, on motion of Mr. Minter, was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Senate bill, entitled an act to authorize the Mayor and Selectmen to increase the taxes on property in the corporate limits of the town of Macon, which, on motion of Mr. Brown, was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Upshaw moved to concur in Senate amendment to House bill, entitled an act to secure the prompt settlement of outstanding claims against the Quartermaster's Department of the State of Mississippi, which was rejected.

Senate bill, entitled an act relative to indigent families of soldiers in Warren county. Read first time, and, on motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, was indefinitely postponed.

Senate joint resolution relative to the impressment of cotton and tobacco, and conscribing and arming slaves, by the Government, was taken up.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, moved the adoption of the report and resolution of the minority report of select committee on part of the House, to whom was referred so much of the Governor's message as relates to negro enlistments, as substitute for said resolution, which was rejected, by ayes and nays, called for by Messrs. Bradford, Stephens and Tindall:

Yeas--Messrs. Allen, Bestor, Boone, Bradley, Barnett, Daniel, Eskridge, Falconer, Gully, Gray, Hooker, Hanson, High, Hendon, Jackson, Liddell, Lott, Lewers, Minter, Murdock, McLemore, McLaurin, McElroy, McGehee, Pruit, Reagan, Robinton, Staples, Seal of Harrison, Seal of H., Sessions, Stubbs of S., Stephens, Wynne and Yandell--35.

Nays--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Anderson, Arnold, Bradford, Bromly, Barton, Brown, Carroll, Dancer, Deason of J., Dillard, Fox, Foxworth, Fort, Gowan, Hicks, Isom, Irby, Johnson of D., Johnson of W., Johnson of T., Lowry, Morehead, Montgomery, McNeil, Owen, Pope,

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Powe, Pinson, Stricklan, Shelly, Sutton, Tindall, Upshaw, Wells and Young--36.

Pending which, on motion of Mr. Reagan, the House adjourned until to-morrow morning, 10 o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, March 8, 1865.

House met pursuant to adjournment.

On motion of Mr. Reagan, the reading of Journals of yesterday was dispensed with.

The clerk asked and obtained leave to read the latter portion of yesterday's proceedings.

On motion of Mr. Reagan, Senate joint resolution in reference to adjournment was taken up.

Mr. Young moved to amend by inserting 12 o'clock tonight, instead of 7 P. M., which was lost.

On motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, resolution was laid upon the table; and, on his further motion, the regular order of business was dispensed with.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, from joint special committee to whom was referred a resolution asking aid for the destitute families of certain counties, made the following report, which, on his motion, was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The joint select committee to whom was referred a resolution asking aid for the destitute families of soldiers, in certain counties, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report back the accompanying bill, with a recommendation that it do pass.

On motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, the bill was read second time, under a suspension of the rule; and, on his further motion, House resolved itself into committee of the whole, for consideration of said bill, Mr. Seal, of Harrison, in the chair.

After some time spent therein, committee rose, reported bill back to the House, with sundry amendments, with a recommendation that it do pass, as amended; which was received, and, on motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, was agreed to, by yeas and nays, called for by Messrs. Seal of H., McGehee and Powe. Yeas, 40; nays, 21, as follows:

Yeas--Messrs. Anderson, Bradford, Bestor, Bromley,

Page 97

Boon, Bradley, Barton, Barnett, Carroll, Dancer, Deason of J., Daniel, Dillard, Fox, Falconer, Fort, Hicks, High, Isom, Jackson, Johnson of W., Johnson of T., Liddell, Lowry, Minter, Murdock, McLemore, McNeill, Owen, Pounds, Pinson, Pruit, Reagan, Staples, Stricklan, Sessions, Shelly, Stephens, Upshaw and Wynne--40.

Nays--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Gully, Gray, Hanson, Hendon, Irby, Lott, Lewers, Morehead, Montgomery, McElroy, McGehee, Powe, Robinson, Seal of Harrison, Seal, of Hancock, Stubbs, of Smith, Wells, Yandell and Young--21.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, offered the following amendment: Amend by giving to the counties of Harrison, Jackson and Hancock five thousand dollars each.

Mr. McGehee moved to lay bill on table, which was lost.

Mr. Dancer moved to adjourn. Withdrawn.

Various amendments were offered to the amendment of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, giving various sums to different counties.

----, of Calhoun, moved to amend by inserting county of Calhoun, five thousand dollars, and county of Hinds, twenty-five hundred dollars; which was adopted.

Mr. Bradford moved to lay all amendments on table. Lost.

Mr. Young moved to lay bill and amendments on table. Lost.

Question recurring upon the adoption of the various amendments offered to the amendment of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, they were lost

Question recurring upon the adoption of the amendment, as offered by Mr. Seal, of Harrison, it was carried.

Mr. Murdock moved to amend by inserting county of Pike, five thousand dollars, which was adopted.

Mr. Upshaw moved to amend by inserting $142,500, instead of $165,000, the same being the amount appropriated to the various counties, which was adopted.

Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, moved to reconsider the vote by which the counties of Calhoun and Hinds were added to the bill. Lost.

Bill was read third time, under a suspension of the rule, as amended, and passed, by yeas and nays, called for by Messrs. Young, Irby and Deason, of Jones:

Yeas--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Anderson, Bradford, Bromley, Bradley, Barton, Barnett, Dancer, Dillard, Falconer,

Page 98

Fort, Hooker, High, Johnson of Wilkinson, Johnson of Tippah, Lowry, Lewers, Murdock, McLemore, McGehee, McNeill, Pounds, Pinson, Pruit, Reagan, Seal of Harrison, Stricklan, Seal of Hancock, Shelly, Stubbs of Smith, Stephens and Upshaw--32.

Nays--Messrs. Bestor, Boon, Carroll, Deason of Jones, Fox, Foxworth, Gully, Hanson, Hendon, Isom, Irby, Jackson, Johnson of DeSoto, Liddell, Lott, Morehead, Montgomery, McElroy, Owen, Pope, Powe, Robinson, Staples, Sessions, Sutton, Wells, Wynne, Yandell, Young--29.

The following message was received from his Excellency, the Governor, through his private secretary:

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, COLUMBUS, MISS.,
MARCH 8 1865.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

His Excellency, the Governor, instructs me to report to your honorable body that he has this day approved and signed the following House bills, to-wit:

An act for the relief of M. Greenhood, of Clarke county.

An act relative to the relief of indigent families of soldiers of Yazoo county.

An act to grant freedom to male slave Loyd, property of James N. Harper, of Tallahatchie county.

An act for the relief of the estate and securities of B. F. Toomer, former Sheriff of Itawamba county.

An act to amend section 9, article 17, page 445, of the Revised Code, so several counties in this State to grant orders for the sale of perishable property, at the time of the grant of letters testamentary, or of administration.

An act to amend an act entitled an act making appropriations for the military service, for the next fiscal year, approved December 9, 1863.

On motion of Mr.--,the House adjourned until 3 P. M.

THREE O'CLOCK P. M.

House met.

On motion of Mr. Shelly, the bill for the relief of Col. T. C. Ashcraft was taken up from the calendar.

Bill was read second time.

Page 99

On motion of Mr. Shelly, House resolved itself into a committee of the whole, for the consideration of the same, Mr. Brown in the chair.

After some time spent therein, committee rose, reported bill back to the House, with a recommendation that it do pass; which, on motion of Mr. Brown, was received and agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Shelly, the Constitutional rule was suspended, bill read third time. and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Lowry asked leave to introduce a bill, which was not granted.

Mr. Murdock, from Committee of Ways and Means, made the following report, which, on his motion, was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred a bill, to be entitled an act to authorize Sheriffs and Tax-Collectors of the several counties in this State, to receive of citizens of this State, in payment of the State and county taxes, the certificates of deposit of the old issue of Confederate Treasury notes, for the exchange of new issue thereof, have instructed me to report the same back, with the recommendation that it do pass.

And, on his further motion, bill was read second and third time, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Murdock, from Committee of Ways and Means, made the following report, which was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred a bill to be entitled an act for the appointment of a historical commissioner, have instructed me to report the same back, with the recommendation that it do not pass.

Mr. Murdock, from the Committee of Ways and Means made the following report, which on his motion was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee of Ways and Means, to whom was committed a report upon the subject of salaries for Probate Judges, with instructions to report a general bill, ask leave to report the accompanying bill and recommend that it do pass.

On his motion the bill was read three several times under a suspension of the rule and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Murdock, from the Committee of Ways and Means, made

Page 100

the following report, which, on his motion, was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the memorial of the Baptist State Convention, have instructed me to report that the subject matter of said memorial has been disposed of by the action of this House, and therefore ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the question.

Mr. Murdock, from the Committee on Claims, made the following report, which was received and agreed to:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Claims, to whom was referred a bill to be entitled "An act for the relief of Thomas P. Barton, of Noxubee county," have considered the same and instructed me to report it back with the recommendation that it do pass.

And on his further motion the bill was read third time under suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Mr. Murdock, from the Committee of Ways and Means, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee of Ways and Means, to whom was referred the report of Dr. C. K. Marshall, State Agent for Hospitals, have considered the same and instruct me to report that in their opinion the sum of fifty thousand dollars should be appropriated for the maintenance of the Agency of Dr. Marshall.

Which on his motion was received and agreed to.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, from the Judiciary Committee, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee to whom was referred a bill entitled "An act in relation to the appointment of Guardians of Infants by the Chancery Courts in certain cases, and to amend an act entitled an act to provide for the support of infants in certain cases," approved February 11, 1860, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the same back with a recommendation that it do pass.

Which, on his motion, was received and agreed to; and on his further motion bill was read third time, under a suspension of the rule and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Lowry, by leave, introduced a bill to be entitled, "An act to authorize repairs on the Mobile and Ohio Rail Road."

Bill read once.

On motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, the House took up bill entitled an act*

*MS. not furnished.

with a view to concur in Senate amendments to the same.

Page 101

On motion the several amendments were separately concurred in.

On motion of Mr. Seal. of Harrison, the special message of the Governor in reference to State Distillery was taken up and read.

On motion of Mr. Liddell, Senate messages were taken up.

Senate bill entitled, "An act*

*MS. not furnished.

Bill read second time.

Mr. Liddell offered the following amendment, which was adopted:*

*MS. not furnished.

Mr. Anderson presented series of resolutions as substitute for Senate joint resolutions in reference to impressment of slaves, cotton and tobacco.

On motion, first resolution was adopted.

On motion of Mr. Liddell, substitute and Senate joint resolutions were indefinitely postponed by yeas and nays, as follows:

YEAS--Messrs. Allen, Bestor, Brown, Barnett, Carroll, Deason of Jones, Eskridge, Fox, Foxworth, Gully, Hicks, Hooker, Hanson, Hendon, Isom, Liddell, Lott, Lewers, Minter, Morehead, Murdock, McLemore, McLaurin, McElroy, McNeill, Owen, Pope, Reagan, Robinson, Staples, Seal of Harrison, Seal of Hancock, Sessions, Stubbs of Smith, Stephens, Wynne and Yandell--37.

NAYS--Mr. Speaker. Messrs. Anderson, Arnold, Bradford, Bromley, Bradley, Barton, Dancer, Daniel, Dillard, Falconer, Fort, Gray. High, Irby, Jackson, Johnson of DeSoto, Johnson of Wilkinson, Lowry, Montgomery, McGehee, Powe, Pinson, Pruit, Stricklan, Shelly, Sutton, Tindall, Upshaw, Wells ad Young--31.

The following messages were received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER: The Senate have passed the following entitled bills and resolutions:

"An act to amend an act entitled an act to establish a minimum for the sale of two millions of State bonds, authorized to be sold under an act passed at the present session of the Legislature, approved August 13th 1864, and for other purposes."

"An act to confer additional powers on the commissioners appointed to examine the several military funds in this State."

Page 102

"An act to settle the accounts of S. L. Hussey, late Treasurer, and for other purposes."

"An act to amend the second section of an act entitled an act to punish parties making illegal seizures and impressments in this State, approved December 7, 1863."

"Resolution in relation to the Lunatic Asylum."

And have concurred in House resolution requesting the members of the Legislature to canvass their respective counties, &c.

The Senate concur in the amendment of the House to the second amendment of the Senate to House bill entitled, "An act for the relief of prisoners of war from Mississippi in the prisons of the United States."

The Senate insist on their first and third amendment to said bill, and ask a committee of conference thereon, in which the concurrence of the House is desired.

Messrs. Moore, Ellett and Mayson have been appointed as said committee on the part of the Senate.

MR SPEAKER: The Senate have passed a bill entitled, "An act for the relief of John B. Carpenter of Jefferson county; and have passed House bill entitled, "An act to amend an act better to provide for the families of soldiers," approved December 2d, 1863, with sundry amendments thereto, in which the concurrence of the House is desired.

Senate bill entitled, "An act to repeal an act in relation to the publication of legal notices," which, on motion of Mr. Hendon, was read three several times, undor a suspension of rule, and passed forthwith, title standing as stated.

Senate bill entitled, "An act for the relief of Jno. B. Carpenter, of Jefferson county," which, on motion, was read first and second time, under a suspension of the rule, and referred to the committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, moved to suspend regular order of business with a view of calling up a Senate bill entitled. "An act to amend an act entitled an act for the organization and disciplining of the militia," &c., which was adopted.

Mr. Johnson, of DeSoto, offered as substitute for said bill a bill to be entitled, "An act to amend the militia laws of this State," which was read first and second time, under a suspension of the rule.

Pending which, on motion of Mr. Bradford, House adjourned until to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock.

Page 103

THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1865.

House met pursuant to adjournment.

On motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, the reading of the minutes was dispensed with.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, moved a reconsideration of the vote for a certain bill for Warren county which was lost on yesterday Rejected.

Mr. Murdock asked leave to introduce a bill, which was refused.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, called up the militia bill.

Mr. Wynne offered the following amendment:

Provided, that physicians, under forty-five years of age, and preachers, having no pastoral charge, shall be liable to duty under the provisions of this act.

Which was lost.

Bill read the third time.

Mr. Tindall called the previous question--the passage of the bill--which was passed, by yeas and nays, called for by Messrs. Young, Barton and Gully:

Yeas--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Allen, Bradford, Bestor, Boon, Bradley, Brown, Barnett, Deason of Jones, Daniel, Eskridge, Falconer, Fort, Hooker, High, Isom, Jackson, Johnson of DeSoto, Liddell, Lowry, Lewers, Minter, Morehead, Murdock, McLemore, McGehee, Owen, Reagan, Robinson, Seal of Harrison, Sessions, Sutton, Stephens, Tindall, Upshaw, Wynne, Yandell--37.

Nays--Messrs. Anderson, Arnold, Bromley, Barton, Carroll, Dancer, Dillard, Fox, Foxworth, Gully, Gray, Hicks, Hanson, Hendon, Irby, Johnson of Wilkinson, Lott, Montgomery, McLaurin, McElroy, McNeill, Pope, Pounds, Pinson, Staples, Stricklan, Shelly, Stubbs of Smith, Wells, Young--31.

The following message was received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER: The Senate have concurred in the House amendment to Senate bill, entitled an act to amend an act to prevent the distillation of spirits and to declare distilleries to be public and common nuisances, and to authorize the same to be abated and for other purposes, approved April 5, 1865.

The Senate insist on their amendment to House bill, entitled an act to secure the prompt settlement of outstanding

Page 104

claims against the Quartermaster's Department of the State of Mississippi.

And have adopted a joint resolution, entitled "Resolution in reference to holding courts."

And have passed the following entitled House bills:

An act for the relief of Col. T. C. Ashcraft.

An act to amend an act entitled an act to prevent the distillation of spirituous liquors and to declare distilleries to be public and common nuisances, and to authorize the same to be abated, and for other purposes, approved April 5, 1865, with amendments thereto.

An act to repeal an act entitled an act to procure cotton and wool cards for indigent families of soldiers and citizens of this State, approved December 9, 1863.

An act in relation to the compensation of members of the Legislature, etc., with amendments to the bill and title.

And have adopted the following entitled joint resolutions:

Resolution of thanks to citizens of Columbus.

Also, resolution of adjournment.

Mr. Dancer offered the following resolution which was adopted:

Resolved, That the thanks of this House are hereby tendered to Milton Brown, President of Mobile and Ohio Railroad, for his kindness in furnishing an extra train for the accommodation of the members.

On motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, the bill to be entitled an act to provide compensation for members of the Legislature, was called up.

The Senate substitute was read first time, and on motion of Mr. Seal, of Harrison, the rule was suspended and Senate amendments concurred in.

On motion of Mr. Barton, House concurred in Senate amendments to House bill entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to prevent the distillation of spirituous liquors and to declare the distilleries to be public and common nuuisances, and to authorize the same to be abated, and for other purposes, approved April 5, 1864.

Mr. Powe called up Senate bill, entitled an act to authorize tax collectors to refund certain monies therein named; and,

On his further motion, the constitutional rule was suspended,

Page 105

the bill read three several times, and passed forth-with.

Mr. Murdock called up Senate bill to be entitled an act amendatory of an act providing for the examination of the offices of Auditor of Public Accounts and State Treasurer, approved December 1, 1863, and the amendments thereof, April 12, 1864.

On motion of Mr. Murdock, rule was suspended and bill read second time.

On motion of Mr. Stricklan, the House resolved itself into committee of the whole, for the consideration of said bill, Mr. Stricklan in the chair.

After a short time spent therein, the Committee rose, reported bill back to the House, with the recommendation that the bill do pass; which, on motion of Mr. Stricklan, was received and agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Stricklan, the rule was suspended, the bill read third time and passed.

Mr. Upshaw called up Senate bill entitled an act to change the name of Laura and George Tice, which, on motion of Mr. Upshaw was read the third time and the bill passed, the title standing as stated.

House concurred in Senate resolution relative to Department commander.

On motion of Mr. Johnson of Wilkinson, House concurred in Senate resolution in reference to holding courts, by yeas and nays, called for by Messrs. Seal of Harrison, Barton and Foxworth.

Yeas--Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Anderson, Allen, Arnold, Bradford, Bestor, Bromley, Boon, Bradley, Brown, Carroll, Daniel, Eskridge, Fox, Gray, Hooker, Hanson, High, Hendon, Isom, Irby, Jackson, Johnson of DeSoto, Johnson of Wilkinson, Lott, Lowry, Murdock, McLemore, McNeill, Owen, Pounds, Robinson, Staples, Sutton, Stubbs of Smith, Stephens, Tindall--37.

Nnys--Messrs. Barton, Dillard, Foxworth, Falconer, Fort, Gully, Hicks, Liddell, Morehead, Montgomery, McGehee, Pope, Powe, Pinson, Reagan, Seal of Harrison, Stricklan, Seal of Hancock, Upshaw, Wells, Wynne, Yandell--22.

Mr. Murdock called up Senate bill to be entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to establish a minimum for

Page 106

the sale of two millions of State bonds, authorized to be sold under an act passed at the present session of the Legislature, approved August 13, 1864, and for other purposes; which, on motion of Mr. Murdock, was read three several times, under a suspension of the rule, and passed forthwith, the title standing as stated.

Mr. Murdock from the Committee on Ways and Means, reported a bill, to be entitled an act making certain appropriations therein named, which, on his motion, was read second time.

Mr. Reagan moved to go into committee of the whole, for consideration of said bill, Mr. Reagan in the chair.

After short time spent therein, the committee rose, reported bill back to the House, with recommendation that it do pass, which, on motion of Mr. Reagan, was received and agreed to; and, on his further motion, bill read third time and passed, title standing as stated.

The following message*

*MS. not furnished.

was received from the Governor:

An act to pay the members of the Legislature attending the called session in February, 1865.

Mr. Murdock, from the Committee an Ways and Means, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Claims, to whom was referred a bill, entitled an act for the relief of Peter Ratcliffe, Sheriff of Amite county, have instructed me to report it back, with the recommendation that it do pass.

Mr. Murdock, from the Committee on Ways and Means, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The special committee to whom was referred a petition from the physicians and druggists of Lowndes county; also the petition of R. G. Miller and James Hemphill also a bill to be entitled, "An act to repeal certain portions of an act entitled an act to prevent the distillation of spirituous liquors, and to declare distilleries to be a public and common nuisance, to authorize the same to be abated, and for other purposes;" also an act relative to distilleries, have instructed me to report that as the subject matter of said petitions and bill have been acted upon by the House, they ask to be discharged from the further consideration of them.

Which, on his motion, was received and agreed to.

Page 107

The following message was received from the Senate:

MR. SPEAKER: The Senate have passed House bill entitled. "An act for the relief of destitute families of soldiers in certain counties and for other purposes." with an amendment thereto, in which the concurrence of the House is desired.

Also, House bill entitled, "An act making certain appropriations therein named," with sundry amendments thereto, and passed, title standing as stated.

Mr. Upshaw moved that the House agree to the request of the Senate asking a committee of conference upon bill appointing commissioners to visit prisoners from the State of Mississippi in United States prisons, which was adopted.

The Speaker appointed as said committee on the part of the House, Messrs. Upshaw, Gully, Yandell, Boon and Bradford.

Mr. Johnson, from Committee on Enrolled Bills, made the following report:

MR. SPEAKER: The Committee on Enrollments have examined bills of the following titles, and finding them correctly enrolled, have this day submitted them to the Governor for his approval and signature:

An act to amend an act entitled "An act to better provide for families of soldiers." approved December 9th, 1863.

An act to pay members of the Legislature attending the called session in February, 1865.

An act to repeal an act entitled an act to procure cotton and wool cards for indigent families of soldiers and citizens of this State, approved December 9th, 1863.

An act for the relief of Col. T. C. Ashcraft.

An act to amend an act entitled an act to prevent the distillation of spirituous liquors, and to declare distilleries to be public and common nuisances, and to authorize the same to be abated, approved April 5th, 1864.

An act to amend the militia laws of this State.

An act to authorize tax collectors to refund certain monies therein named.

An act to secure the prompt payment of outstanding claims against the Quartermasters Department of the State of Mississippi.

An act making certain appropriations therein named.

Mr. Upshaw, from committee of conference, upon the disagreement of the two Houses upon bill to be entitled, "An act to authorize the appointment of commissioners to visit the prisoners from this State in northern prisons, made the following report:

Page 108

MR. SPEAKER: The conference committee on the part of the House to whom was referred the differences between the House and the Senate on the bill in reference to visiting the northern prisons, beg leave to report that the Senate amendments be agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Reagan the bill and amendments were indefinitely postponed.

Mr. Seal, of Harrison, called up Senate message, being amendments to House bill making certain appropriations therein named, which, on motion of Mr. Seal, was received and agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Reagan, Senate resolution in relation to adjournment was amended by inserting 9 A. M. to-morrow.

House, on motion of Mr. Seal of Harrison, took recess until one o'clock, P. M.

2 1-2 O'CLOCK, P. M.

The recess having expired House resumed its session. No quorum being present House adjourned until 9 A. M. tomorrow morning.

FRIDAY, March 10, 1865.

The hour having arrived for adjournment the Speaker declared the House adjourned sine die.

LOCK E. HOUSTON,
Speaker of the House Rep.
Robt. C. MILLER, Clerk House Rep.

Page 109

INDEX.

AYES AND NAYS--
- Pages 40, 57, 63, 71, 75, 83, 86, 88, 89, 92, 95, 96, 97, 101, 103, 105.
BILLS, introduced by
- Mr. Johnson, of Wilkinson 5, 20
- Seal, of Hancock 15, 24, 62
- Barton 16, 31, 79, 90
- Isom 16, 31
- Hanson 16
- Upshaw 16, 70
- Tindall 16, 35
- Irby 17, 20, 51
- Johnson, of Wilkinson 17
- Brown 17
- Barnett 18
- Sutton 18
- Cunningham 18
- Dancer 19, 62
- Sessions 19
- Shelley 23, 62, 91
- Stubbs, of Smith 23
- Liddell 23, 90
- Lewers 24
- Arnold 24
- Wells 24
- Yandell 29, 32, 51
- Gowan 29, 30
- Buntin 31
- Morehead 32, 62
- Lott 35, 62
- Owen 36
- Pope 37
- Wynne 37
- Jackson 89, 62
- Murdock 39
- Fox 39
- Houston 40, 70, 90
- Eskridge 40
- Grace 51
- Seal, of Harrison 48, 70, 84
- Hendon 51
- McElroy 47
- McGehee 52, 90
- Falconer 65, 90
- McNeill 64
- Powe 69, 90
- Tindall 70
  Page 110
- Fort 80
- Bester 89
- Stricklan 90
- Gowan 91
- Lowry 100
COMMITTEE--
- On petition of sundry physicians. &c 16
- On bill for relief of indigent of Marshall county 16
- Standing committees 22, 30
- On Governor message 28, 29, 45
GOVERNOR--
- Proclamation convening Legislature 3
- Message to Legislature at opening of session 6
- Subsequent messages 20, 25, 43, 49, 50, 54, 65, 73, 81, 84
LEAVE OF ABSENCE--
- Granted Mr. Brown 6
- Door keeper 35, 41,
- Moore 40
- Dale 41
- Gully 56
- Moore 72
- Deason 73
- Grace 81
- McDemore 81
- Buntin 84
- McLaurin 84
MESSAGES--
- From Governor 6, 20, 25, 43, 49, 50, 54, 65, 73, 81, 84, 93
- From Senate 1, 15, 21, 31, 36, 41, 57, 65, 7, 72, 77, 91, 101, 103, 107
REPORTS--
- From joint committee to wait on Governor 6
- From Committee on Enrollments 22, 36, 48, 67, 78, 78
- From Committee on Judiciary 23, 32, 33, 36, 45, 52, 58, 73, 73, 100
- From special committees 23, 34, 38, 59, 92,
- From Ways and Means 34, 52, 56, 76, 85, 86, 99, 100, 105
- From Military Committee 34, 58, 76, 77
- From Committee on Library 37
- From Committee on Corporations 37
- From Committee on Internal Improvements 33
- From Committee on Propositions and Grievances 45, 46, 55, 67
- From Committee on Institution for the Blind 46
- From Committee on Treasurer's Office 47
- From Committee on Education 55, 78
- From Committee on Public Buildings 58
- From select committee 59, 60, 61, 68, 69, 87
- From Committee on Claims 67
- From Committee on Treasurer's Office 67, 100, 106
- From Committee on Public Lands 78
- From joint special committee 96
- From Committee on Conference 107
RESOLUTIONS, offered by
- [illegible] 4
  Page 111
- Reagan, of thanks to General Forrest 5
- Tindall, in reference to compensation of Legislature 5
- Murdock, as substitute for that of Mr. Tindall 6
- Barnett, in relation to General Johnston 6
- Johnson, of DeSoto, inviting General Chalmers to address the Legislature 14
- Reagan, in reference to prosecution of war 15
- Brown, inviting ministers to open sessions of House with prayer 15
- Bestor, in relation to school commissioners 15
- Murdock, in reference to prosecution of war 18
- Upshaw, commendatory of Colonel W. S. Lowry 18
- Boone, in reference to State Distillery 19
- Barnett, amendment to above 20, 23
- Isom, in reference to State University 23
- Yandell, for information from Governor, in reference to contract for cotton cards, &c 24
- Upshaw, appointing commissioners to visit prisons of United States 25
- Gowan, in reference to State Printer 29
- Arnold, inviting Judge Meek to address the Legislature 30
- Pinson, granting leave of absence to Hon. W. H. Kilpatrick 31
- Murdock, for House to meet at Courthouse 35
- Cunningham, in reference to adjournment 35
- Powe, in reference to public lands 48
- Dancer, in reference to indigent families 49
- Reagan inviting General Forrest to take a seat within the bar of the House 50
- Reagan, in reference to part of Governor's message 51
- Arnold, in reference to payment of troops 52
- Eskridge, inviting Rev. C. K. Marshall to address Legislature 63
- Upshaw, inviting Governor Pettus to a seat within the bar of the House 70
- Liddell, referring to the Judicary Committee propriety of establishing a Court of Claims 72
- Inviting Hon. J. A. Orr to address Legislature 83
- Murdock, for members of Legislature to canvass counties, &c 85
- Anderson, that no member shall speak over five minutes at one time: 89
- Reagan, on adjournment 98
- Anderson, as substitute for Senate resolutions on impressment of slaves, &c 101

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Amount drawn from State Treasury		$147,216 25
Amount drawn from A. M. West		11,497 40
Amount drawn from Capt. W. C. Turner		2,800 00
Proceeds of sale of Salt		67,840 06
Less cash paid into the State Treasury	$10,696 00
Total		$218,657 71

And he has expended in the purchase of property and for transportation, building, labor	$154,000 00
Manufacture of Salt and transportation of same to railroad	64,657 71
Total	$218,657 71

He has made to Jan. 1, 1865 of Salt	579 783 lbs.
Of this there has been distributed to counties free of charge in lieu of same quantity destroyed by the enemy	5,869 lbs
Exchanged for necessary supplies	79,703
Distributed to the various counties	436,316
Remaining on hand Jan. 1, '65	57,895
Total	579,783 lbs.

Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi, Called Session at Columbus, February and March, 1865: Electronic Edition.