154 break up the blockade and open their trade. JEFFERSON DAVIS, of Mississippi, President. R. M. T. HUNTER, Va., Secretary of State. WILLIAM C. G. MEMMINGER, S. C., Secretary of the Treasury. J. P. BENJAMIN, La., Secretary of War. A. T. BLED- S. R. MALLORY, Fla., Secretary of the Navy. Com. E. WADE Public Printer. JOHN H. REAGAN, Texas, Postmaster-General. II. S. CONGRESS, CONFEDERATE. No sooner A were made for a Southern Confederacy. On the 4th of February this Congress met at Montgomery, in a hall, on the walls of which, portraits of Marion, Clay, Andrew Jackson, and several of Washington were hanging. It was composed of the following members, except those from Texas who were not appointed until Feb. 14: South Carolina.-R. B. Rhett, James Chesnut, jr., W. P. Miles, T. J. Withers, R. W. Barnwell, C. G. Memminger, L M. Keitt, and W. W. Boyce. Georgia.-Robert Toombs, Howell Cobb, Benjamin H. Hill, Alexander H. Stephens, Francis Bartow, Martin J. Crawford, E. A. Nisbett, Augustus B. Wright, Thomas R. R. Cobb, and Augustus Keenan. Alabama.-Richard W. Walker, Robert H. Smith, Colin J. McRae, John Gill Shorter, S. F. Hale, David P. Lewis, Thomas Fearn, J. L. M. Curry, and W. P. Chilton. Mississippi.-Willie P. Harris, Walker Brooke, A. M. Clayton, W. S. Barry, J. T. Harrison, J. A. P. Campbell, and W. 8. Wilson. Louisiana.-John Perkins, jr., Duncan F. Kenner, C. M. Conrad, E. Spencer, and Henry Marshall. Florida. Jackson Morton, James Powers, and J. P. Anderson. Texus.-L. T. Wigfall, J. H. Reagan, J. Hemphill, T. N. Waul, Judge Gregg, Judge Oldham, and Judge W. B. Ochiltree. All the members were present except Mr. Morton, of Florida, and the members from Texas. A permanent organization was made by the election of Howell Cobb, of Georgia, as Chairman, and J. J. Hooper, of Montgomery, Alabama, Secretary. Mr. Cobb, on taking the chair, made an ad、 dress. He said: Accept, gentlemen of the Convention, my sincere thanks for the honor you have conferred I shall endeavor, by a faithful and upon me. impartial discharge of the duties of the Chair, to merit, in some degree, at least, the confidence you have reposed in me. "The occasion which assembles us together, is one of no ordinary character. We meet as representatives of soveregin and independent States, who, by their solemn judgment, have dissolved the political association which connected them with the Government of the United States. Of the causes which have led location of a seat of government, or for sites for forts, arsenals, and dock-yards; consequently there is no reference made to the territorial powers of the Pro to this decision it is unnecessary now to speak. "The great duty is now imposed upon us of providing for these States a Government for their future security and protection. We can and should extend to our sister States-our late sister States-who are identified with us in interest, feeling, and institutions, a cordial welcome to unite with us in a common destiny -desirous at the same time of maintaining with our former confederates, as with the world, the most peaceful and friendly relations, both political and commercial. "Our responsibilities, gentlemen, are great, and I doubt not we shall prove equal to the occasion. Let us assume all the responsibility which may be necessary for the successful completion of the great work committed to our care, placing before our countrymen and the world our acts and their results, as the justification for the course we may pursue, and the policy we may adopt. With a consciousness of the justice of our cause, and with confidence in the guidance and blessings of a kind Providence, we will this day inaugurate for the South a new era of peace, security, and prosperity." The rules of the Convention were drawn on the principle that it was a Congress of sovereign and independent States, and the members should therefore vote by States. On the 7th of February, the Committee on a Provisional Government reported a plan which was discussed in secret session. On the 8th, the Constitution of the United States was adopted with some amendments, as follows: Alterations.-1st. The Provisional Constitution differs from the Constitution of the United States in this: That the legislative powers of the Provisional Government are vested in the Congress now assembled, and this body exercises all the functions that are exercised by either or both branches of the United 2d. The Provisional President holds his office for one year, unless sooner superseded by the establishment of a permanent government. States Goverument. 3d. Each State is erected into a distinct judicial district, the judge having all the powers heretofore vested in the district and circuit courts; and the several distriet judges together compose the supreme bench-a majority of them constituting a quorum. 4th. Wherever the word "Union" occurs in the United States Constitution the word " "Confederacy" is substituted. Additions.-1st. The President may veto any separate appropriation without vetoing the whole bill in which it is contained. 2d. The African slave trade is prohibited. 3d. Congress is empowered to prohibit the introduction of slaves from any State not a member of this Confederacy. 4th. All appropriations must be upon the demand of the President or heads of departments. Omissions.-1st. There is no prohibition against members of Congress holding other offices of honor and emolument under the Provisional Government. 2d. There is no provision for a neutral spot for the 3d. The section in the old Constitution in reference to capitation and other direct tax is omitted; also the section providing that no tax or duty shall be laid on any exports. 4th. The prohibition against States keeping troops or ships of war in time of peace is omitted. 5th. The Constitution being provisional merely, no provision is made for its ratification. old Constitution is so amended as to contain the word Amendments.-1st. The fugitive slave clause of the "slave," and to provide for full compensation in cases of abduction or forcible rescue on the part of the State in which such abduction or rescue may take place. 2d. Congress, by a vote of two-thirds, may at any time alter or amend the Constitution, Temporary Provisions.-1st. The Provisional Government is required to take immediate steps for the settlement of all matters between the States forming it and their late confederates of the United States in relation to the public property and the public debt. 2d. Montgomery is made the temporary seat of gov ernment. 3d. This Constitution is to continue one year, unless altered by a two-thirds vote or superseded by a permanent government. The tariff clause provided that "Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises for revenue necessary to pay the debts and carry on the Government of the Confederacy, and all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout the Confederacy." The first section of Article I. is as follows: "All legislative powers herein delegated shall be vested in this Congress, now assembled, until otherwise ordained." The fifth article is as follows: "The Congress, by a vote of two-thirds, may, at any time, alter or amend this Constitution." The other portions of the Constitution are nearly identical with the Constitution of the United States. On the next day after the adoption of the Provisional Constitution, at the opening of Congress, the President of the body was sworn by R. W. Walker to support the new Constitution, and the oath was then administered in turn by the President to all the members, in the order in which they were called by States. At a quarter past twelve o'clock in the afternoon the Congress threw open its doors, after having previously gone into secret session, and proceeded to elect a President. The ballots were taken by States, each State being allowed one vote. On counting, it was found that Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, had received six votes, the whole number cast. The same for mality was gone through in the election of Vice-President, resulting likewise in the unanimous election of Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia. An immense crowd had gathered on the floor and in the galleries to witness the election of the first President of "the Confederate States of America." The election of Davis and Stephens was greeted with loud cheers and applause from the spectators. The President of the Convention was directed to appoint Committees on Foreign Affairs, Finance, Military and Naval Affairs, the Judiciary, Postal Affairs, Commerce, Patents, and Printing. A bill was passed continuing in force, until repealed or altered by Congress, all the laws of the United States which were in force on the 1st of November, 1860, not inconsistent with the Constitution of the Provisional Government. A resolution was adopted instructing the Finance Committee to report promptly a tariff bill for raising a revenue for the support of the Provisional Government. A resolution was also adopted authorizing the appointment of a Committee to report a Constitution for a permanent Government of the Confederacy. The name "Confederate States of North America was also adopted for the Union represented at Montgomery. At the session on the next day, Mr. Stephens appeared and announced his acceptance of the office of Vice-President, and said: "I have been notified by the committee of my election as Vice-President of the Provis ional Government of the Confederate States of America. The committee requested that I should make known to this body, in a verbal response, iny acceptance of the high position I have been called upon to assume, and this I now do in this august presence-before you, Mr. President, before this Congress, and this large concourse of people, under the bright sun and brilliant skies which now smile so felicitously upon us. "I take occasion to return my most profound acknowledgments for this expression of confidence on the part of this Congress. There are especial reasons why I place an unusually high estimate on it. The considerations which induced me to accept it, I need not state. It is sufficient for me to say that it may be deemed questionable if any good citizens can refuse to discharge any duty which may be assigned them by their country in her hour of need. "It might be expected that I should indulge in remarks on the state of our public affairsthe dangers which threaten us, and the most advisable measures to be adopted to meet our pressing exigencies; but allow me to say, in the absence of the distinguished gentleman called to the Chief Executive Chair, I think it best that I should refrain from saying any thing on such matters. We may expect him here in a few days-possibly by Wednesdayif he is not providentially detained. When he comes you will hear from him on these difficult questions; and I doubt not we shall cordially and harmoniously concur in any line of policy his superior wisdom and statesmanship may indicate. "In the mean time, we may be profitably employed in directing attention to such matters as providing the necessary postal arrangements, making provision for the transfer of the custom-houses from the separate States to the Confederacy, and the imposition of such duties as are necessary to meet the present expected exigencies in the exercise of power, and raise a revenue. We are limited in the latter object to a small duty, not exceeding ten per centum upon importations. We can also be devoting attention to the Constitution of a permanent Government, stable and durable, which is one of the leading objects of our assembling. "I am now ready to take the oath." The oath was accordingly administered. A committee of two from each State was appointed to form a permanent Constitution for the Confederacy. On the 12th resolutions were offered to continue in office the revenue officers of the respective States. It was also resolved "That this Government takes under its charge all questions and difficulties now existing between the sovereign States of this Confederacy and the Government of the United States relating to the occupation of forts, arsenals, navy-yards, custom-houses, and all other public establishments, and the President of this Congress is directed to communicate this resolution to the Governors of the respective States of the Confederacy." On the 18th of February, the Committee on Naval Affairs, and also the Committee on Military Affairs, were instructed to include in any plans they might propose for the army and navy, provisions for such officers as might tender their resignations. A resolution was also adopted instructing the Committee on Commercial Affairs to inquire and report upon the expediency of repealing the navigation laws. A debate took place on the subject of a National flag, proposing to make only such changes as might be necessary to distinguish it easily from that of the United States. Mr. Brooks, in the course of his remarks, said the flag of stars and stripes is the idol of the heart, around which cluster memories of the past which time cannot efface, or cause to grow dim. Mr. Miles, in reply, said he had regarded from his youth the stars and stripes as the emblem of oppression and tyranny. The Committee to whom the subject was referred made a report, which was unanimously adopted. It recommended that the flag of the Confederate States should consist of three bars of red and white-the upper red, middle white, lower red. The lower bar should extend the whole width of the flag, and just above it, next to the staff in the upper left hand corner of the flag, should be a blue Union with seven stars in a circle. The form of Government adopted by the Congress was chiefly objected to, so far as it held out any encouragement for reconstruction, or any inducement to the Border Slave States to remain in the Union with the North. On the 15th, Congress made arrangements for the reception and inauguration of President Davis. An official copy of the Texas secession ordinance was presented, and the deputy present invited to a seat, although the ordinance had not been ratified. There was then a secret session, during which a resolution was passed removing the injunction of secrecy from an act continuing in office the officers connected with the collection of customs at the time of the adoption of the Constitution of the Confederate States, with the salaries and powers as heretofore provided; the compensation not to exceed five thousand dollars. The collectors were required, within two weeks, to execute the same bonds as heretofore, and the subordinates to give bond. One week after the collectors were required to take the oath to discharge their duties, and support the Constitution of the Provisional Government. The Secretary of the Treasury had been instructed to report a plan, to go into effect on the first of April, diminishing the expenses of collecting the revenue at each custom-house at least fifty per cent. The 18th was devoted to the splendors and gaieties of a Presidential inauguration, which was regarded as the grandest pageant ever witnessed in the Southern States. On the 19th, measures were adopted to admit, duty free, all breadstuffs, provisions, munitions of war, or materials therefor, living animals, and agricultural products in their natural state; also goods, wares, and merchandise from the United States purchased before the 1st of March, and imported before the 14th of March. Texas was excepted from the operation of the tariff laws. On the next day the Departments of War, Navy, Justice, Postal Affairs, State and Treasury, were organized. On the 21st, a resolution was introduced by Mr. Cobb instructing the Committee on Finance to inquire into the expediency of laying a duty on cotton exported from the Confederate States to any foreign country. Mr. Cobb, on presenting the resolution, said: "I am not prepared to discuss the policy of levying such a duty. That we have the power to do so there can be no doubt. I apprehend that we are conscious of the power we hold in our hands by reason of our producing that staple so necessary to the world. I doubt not that power will exert an influence mightier than armies and navies. We know that by an embargo we could soon place, not only the United States, but many of the European Powers, under the necessity of electing between such a recognition of our independence as we require, or domestic convulsions at home. "The information in our possession seems to justify such an inquiry as the resolution proposes. It is a fact that some of the cotton now produced in this Confederacy is already seeking a new channel to the sea. We are informed that at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, more than 20,000 bales of cotton have already been received, conveyed thither up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. We are also informed that more than 20,000 bales of cotton from Rome, Georgia, have been sent by railroad to seek a port at Norfolk and Alexandria. We are further informed that the directors of the railroads connecting with the principal lines in our territory are now concerting schemes for the purpose of reducing freights on those roads, in order in that way to entice our cotton to markets in Northern ports. "The result of such a course, if successful, would, in the first place, necessarily be to make the blockade of our ports a matter of no importance to foreign nations; secondly, it would destroy all commerce with our own seaports; and, thirdly, and most important of all, it would compel us to receive all the imported goods we might need after paying duties on them in New York City. These considerations have induced me to offer this resolution of inquiry. I do not think that the resolution should elicit discussion at the present time, but, after the Committee on Finance have made their report, it may become a grave matter for the consideration of this body." The resolution was adopted. The President then nominated, and the Congress confirmed, the following: Mr. Toombs, of Georgia, Secretary of State; Mr. Memminger, of South Carolina, Secretary of the Treasury; and L. Pope Walker, of Alabama, Secretary of War. On the 22d, an act was unanimously passed declaring the free navigation of the Mississippi River to be established. On the 26th, an act was passed defining more accurately the exemption of duty on certain goods; also, an act modifying the navigation laws; an act in relation to the slave trade, for which the punishment was defined; an act organizing the general staff of the army; and an act authorizing the establishment of additional ports of entry and delivery. Subsequently the nomination of Gustave T. Beauregard, of Louisiana, as Brigadier-General of the Provisional Army, was confirmed. An act to raise provisional forces for the Confederate States and for other purposes was passed. It directed, among other provisions, that the President should take charge of all the military operations between the Confederacy and other Powers. An act was also passed to raise money to support the Government. It authorized the President to borrow $15,000,000, payable in ten years, at an interest of eight per cent. The last section directed an export duty of oneeighth per cent. on each pound of cotton exported after the 1st of August following, to create a fund to liquidate principal and interest of the loan. The postal system of the Confederate States was adopted on the report of the Committee of Congress, made on the 25th of February. The report stated that the expenses, over and above receipts, for the post-office service in the six States (Texas not included) composing the Confederacy, were, for the year ending June 30, 1859, $1,660,595. The Committee recommended an increase of postage rates, by which they estimated an increase of receipts of $578,874. They also recommended a new mode of letting contracts, on what was called the "starbid system," by which it was hoped to save $619,033. Some routes were to be discontinued, by which $206,344 would be saved. Daily service was, in some cases, to be changed to tri-weekly, and thus another $206,344 would be saved. Minor post-offices were to be abolished, and $50,000 saved. These savings and the expected increase were estimated by the Committee to cover the deficiency. Present mail contracts were to be assumed by the Government until all the routes were re-let. The rates of postage proposed were: on each letter of half an ounce or less, five cents for five hundred miles, and ten cents for over five hundred miles; drop and advertised letters two cents. Newspaper postage was put at varying but not high rates. Stamps were to be used. The franking privilege was abolished, except in the case of the Post-Office Department. Letter registration was repealed. On the 6th of March, the appointment of John H. Reagan, as Postmaster-General, was confirmed. On the next day, a bill was reported providing that, in the event of a conflict or a refusal by the United States to recognize the independence of the Confederacy, no Court in the Confederate States should have cognizance of civil cases by citizens of the United States, and that all civil cases pending should be dismissed. A resolution was adopted authorizing the President to instruct the Commissioners to the European Courts to enter into a treaty for an extension of international copyright privileges. On the same day, an act was passed authorizing a military force of 100,000 men to be raised. The first section is in these words: SEC. 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That in order to provide speedily forces to repel invasion, maintain the rightful possession of the Confederate States of America in every portion of territory belonging to each State, and to se cure the public tranquillity and independence against threatened assault, the President be and he is hereby authorized to employ the militia, military, and naval forces of the Confederate States of America, and ask for and accept the services of any number of volunteers, not exceeding one hundred thousand, who may offer their services, either as cavalry, mounted rifle, artillery, or infantry, in such proportion of these several arms as he may deem expedient, to serve for twelve months after they shall be mustered into service, unless sooner discharged. On the 11th of March the permanent Constitution was adopted by Congress. In nearly all its parts it adopts the precise language, and follows in its articles and sections the order of arrangement of the Constitution of the United States. The parts in which it differs from the latter either by variations from, or additions thereto, are herewith presented. It begins with the following preamble: We, the people of the Confederate States, each State acting in its sovereign and independent character, in order to form a permanent Federal Government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and Almighty God-do ordain and establish this Constituour posterity-invoking the favor and guidance of tion for the Confederate States of America. the following restriction on the rights of sufThe second section of the first article imposes frage, in order to correct an abuse which has sprung from the action of certain States in the Union which have granted the right of voting to unnaturalized aliens: The House of Representatives shall be composed of the several States; and the electors in each State of members chosen every second year by the people shall be citizens of the Confederate States, and have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most person of foreign birth not a citizen of the Confeder numerous branch of the State Legislature; but no ate States, shall be allowed to vote for any officer, civil or political, State or Federal. In adjusting the basis of representation and direct taxation, "three-fifths of all slaves" are enumerated, as in the Constitution of the United States, which substitutes for the word "slaves" the term "other persons." The number of Representatives given prior to an actual enumeration of the population, appointed to take of the Congress of the Confederate States, and place within three years after the first meeting within every subsequent term of ten years, is as follows: The State of South Carolina shall be entitled to choose six, the State of Georgia ten, the State of Alabama nine, the State of Florida two, the State of Mississippi seven, the State of Louisiana six, and the State of Texas six. On the subject of impeachments, the following provision is made: The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment, except that any judicial or other Confederate officer, resident and acting solely within the limits of any State, may be impeached by a vote of two-thirds of both branches of the Legisla ture thereof. It is provided that the Senators of the Confederate States shall be chosen by the State Legislatures "at the regular session next immediately preceding the commencement of the term of service." It is provided that the concurrence of "twothirds of the whole number" of each House shall be necessary to the expulsion of a mem ber. Congress is authorized to make the following provision in reference to heads of the Executive Departments: Congress may by law grant to the principal officer in each of the Executive Departments a seat upon the floor of either House, with the privilege of discussing any measures appertaining to his Department. The President is authorized to make the fol |