<title type="main">Provisional Government of the State of Kentucky, Journal

36 Friday November 29. 1861

The Council met pursuant to adjournment W. B, Machen President in the chair.

Mr Crockett asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled "an act to authorize N. MC. Menifee to raise a regiment of Volunteers to serve three months or more in the army of the Confederate states of America -- Said bill was read a first time --

Mr.E M Bruce moved to strike out the name "N. M.cC. Menifee" and insert "some Citizen of Kentucky" And thereupon the bill and amendment was referred to the Committee on military affairs --

GeneralS. B. Buckner and his Staff officers was formally introduced to the Council by His Excellency George W. Johnson and thereupon the council informally adjourned and after the retirement of General Buckner and his Staff the Council assumed its session

A Message from the Governor byR. McKeeSecretary of State was received: Mr President -- I have directed the Governor to lay before this Council a special message in writing --

Executive Office

Bowling Green Ky Nov. 29.th 1861 Gentlemen of the Council of the Provisional Government of the State of Kentucky --

In compliance with a resolution of the council requesting me to lay before them copies of the law enacted by the Congress of the Confederate Statesin relation to the People of Kentucky, if the same shall not in my estimation be detrimental to the public interests; I have the honor herewith to enclose the two acts above referred to.

These acts are intended "to aid the people of Kentucky

37 in repelling an invasion or occupation of their soil by the armed forces of the United States" and appropriating One million of dollars to "be expended in such manner as the President may think proper," for this purpose. I advise the publication of these acts, and will zealously unite with you in prompt and immediate measures, to bring to the assistance of the Confederate armies now in the field, Every man of suitable age, who may be disposed to take up arms for the maintenance of the liberties of his native State-

George W. Johnson

The documents referred to in the foregoing special message are as follows Towit:

"No. 274- An Act to aid the people of Kentucky in repelling an invasion or occupation of their soil by the armed forces of the United States-

Whereas the Government of the United States is threatening by an armed occupation of the territory of Kentucky, to violate the position of neutrality between the belligerents, which the people of that State have sought to hold; and whereas it may become the duty of the Confederate States to aid the people of Kentucky in repelling an invasion or occupation of their soil by the armed forces of the United States- Now therefore- The Congresss of the Confederate States of America do enact- That for the purpose aforesaid the President may, at his discretion, use the military forces of the Confederate States. He is also hereby authorized, in the event above recited, to muster into the service of the Confederate States, volunteers from the State of Kentucky. But the said volunteers shall be raised and treated in all respects, as the Other Volunteer forces of the Confederate States; and the laws heretofore passed in regard to them shall be applicable to the volunteers who may be raised in the State of Kentucky. Provided, however, that the President may, at his discretion, appoint the Officers of the line and staff of the companies and regiments thus raised, or authorize the said companies and regiments, to elect officers to such grades as he may designate.

Sec. 2 That the President may appoint as many major Generals and Brigadier Generals, to command such forces as he may deem nesessary

Howell Cobb President of the Congress

Approved Aug. 30. 1861 Jefferson Davis

Confederate States of America Department of Justice

I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of an act of the Congress of the Confederate States of America

38 approved August 30.th 1861 and of which the original role is deposited in this Office

In faith whereof I have herewith set my hand, and affixed the seal of this Department, this 2nd day of September 1861

J. P. Benjamin Atty Genl

No. 280-

An Act making appropriation to aid the people of Kentucky -- The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact That the sum of one Million of dollars be, and the same is, appropriated out of any money in the Treasury, not other wise appropriated, to be expended in such manner as the President may think proper, to aid the people of Kentucky in repelling any invasion, or occupation of their soil by the armed forces of the United States

Howell Cobb President of the Congress

Approved August 31. 1861 Jefferson Davis

Confederate States of America Department of Justice

I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of an act of the congress of the Confederate States of America approved August 30th 1861 and of which the original role is deposited in this office

In faith whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of this Department this 2nd September 1861

J. P. Benjamin Atty Genl

Mr Crockett moved that three thousand copies of the messsage and accompanying documents be immediately printed

Mr E. M Bruce moved to amend said motion by making the number of copies Five thousand, instead of three thousand.

Mr Crockett moved the following resolution as a substitute for the original motion and amendment -- Towit -- Resolved That the Clerk be instructed to furnish to the Editors of the Courier the Governors messsage and accompanying documents for publication, and that he negotiate with the Editors to furnish for distribution two thousand extra copies. Which was adopted --

Mr Crockett ^moved^ That the Governors message and accompanying documents this day presented to this Council be referred to theCommittee on Foreign Relations -- which motion prevailed

The orders of the day were then taken upThe bill entitled "an Act regulating Currency" was ordered to be read a third time -- On motion the rules of the Council Constitutional provisions and third reading were dispensed withThe question then being upon the passage of the bill- and being put was decided in the negative and so the bill was lost.

Mr Crockett moved a reconsideration of the vote by which the bill entitled "An Act regulating Currency" was lost- and the question being put was decided in the affirmative- and so the vote was reconsidered.

Mr E. M. Bruce then offered a substitute for the original bill the following Towit-

Be it enacted by the Council of the Provisional Government of the State of Kentucky that all sheriffs clerks and other collecting officers be and they are hereby authorized to receive Kentucky and Tennessee Bank notes, Confederate notes, and all other Bank notes which are at par in the Confederate States in payment of all public dues -- The question being upon the adoption of the substitute and being put was decided in the negative- and so the substitute was lost

The question was then upon the passage of the original bill, and being put was decided in the affirmative- and so the bill passed Ordered That the title be as reported.

Mr Crockett from the Committee on the Judiciary reported a bill entitled "An act concerning brokers- which had its first reading -- Ordered that said bill be read a second time The rules of the Council constitutional provisions and second readings were dispensed with -- Ordered That said bill be read a third time On Motion the rules of the Council Constitutional provision and third readings were dispensed withThe question was then upon the passage of the Bill and being taken was decided in the affirmativeAnd so the bill passed Ordered That the title be as reported

Mr Crockett from the same Committee reported a bill entitled "An act to license billiard or Jenny Lind tables and bowling Saloons"- which was read a first time. Ordered That said bill be read a second time On motion the rules of the Council constitutional provisions and second and third readings of the bill were dispensed with --

The question there being upon the passage of the bill and being put was decided in the affirmativeAnd So the bill passed Ordered that the title be as reported.

And then the Council adjourned until tomorrow at 10 O'Clock A. M.

Attest A. Frank BrownClerk