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

Bowling GreenKy Saturday December 7th 1861

The Council met. W. B. MachenPresident in the chair.

Mr Crockett moved that the Governor be requested to return to this Council, without action, an enrolled bill sent to him for approval, entitled "an act to authorize the Governor to appoint a Commissioner to settle with the collecting Officers of this State." which motion prevailed -- Whereupon the sergeant at Arms was sent to the Governor, who returned said bill as indicated by said resolution.

then moved to reconsider the vote by which said bill was pased- and the question being taken thereon, it was decided in the affirmative-

Mr Crockett then offered a substitute for the original bill, and the question being put upon the adoption of the substitute it was decided in the affirmativeOrdered That said substitute be read a third time -- The rule of the Council Constitutional provision and third reading were dispensed with -- The question was then taken upon the passage of the substitute for the original bill, and it was decided in the affirmative. And so the substitute for the bill passed Ordered That the title be as originally reported.

A special message from the Governor by R. McKee Secretary of State -- Mr President-

I am directed by the Governor to lay before this Council a special message in writing:

Executive Office Bowling Green Ky Dec 7th 1861 W B. Machen President of the Council of the State of Kentucky

Sir. The Honl R Hawes who was appointed Auditor has not yet been heard from Officially; but having reason to suppose that he will be unwilling to leave the position he now holds in the Confederate Army- and the public interests requiring the services of an Auditor, I herewith nominate Josiah Pillsbury as Auditor Pro:Tem:

George W. Johnson

The question was then taken on said nomination and it was unanimously confirmed

Mr Moore from the Committee on Common Schools reported a bill entitled "An act for the benefit of common Schools and for other purposes" Which was read a first time. Ordered that said bill be read a second time On motion the rule of the Council, Constitutional provision and second reading were dispensed with. Mr Crockett moved that the further consideration of said bill be postponed, and that it be made the special order of the day for Tuesday next at 10 1/2 O'Clock AM. and the question being taken on said motion it was decided in the affirmative.

The resolutions introduced on yesterday by H. W. Bruce being in the orders of the day was then taken up and read.

H. W Bruce moved the following as a substitute for the original resolutions offered by him on yesterday Towit:

Resolved By the Council of the Provisional Government of the State of Kentucky that this Council hereby return to that brave regiment the profound and grateful thanks of the freemen of Kentucky for the early and gallant services of the first Kentucky volunteers in the war for Independence- And while this Council do not desire to interfere with the plans and purposes of the President of the Confederate States, if he should choose to transfer that noble regiment, to duty in their native State, Kentucky will receive them with open arms, and cordially and thankfully welcome them to their homes again.

Mr Thompson moved to postpone the further consideration of said resolutions, and make them the special order of the day for Wednesday next next at 10 O'Clock A.M. and the question being taken it was decided in the negative.

Mr H. W. Bruce moved the following amendment to the substitute Resolved. That a copy of the foregoing resolution and preamble be forwarded by the Clerk, to the Colonel of that regiment --

Mr Thompson moved the following as an amendment to the amendment to the substitute. Towit By striking out the words "and while this Council do not desire to interfere with the plans and purposes of the President of the Confederate States, if he should choose to transfer that noble regiment to duty in their native State." And before the question was taken thereon the mover was granted leave to withdraw the same.

Mr Bates moved to reconsider the vote by which the Council refused to postpone the further consideration of said resolutions

55 until Wednesday next- and the question being taken thereon it was decided in the affirmative --

Messrs Machen and Burnside having demanded the yeas and nays on said vote, were as follows. viz: Those who voted in the affirmative were Messrs Machen, Crockett, Bates, Thompson, Moore, 5 Those who voted in the negative were Messrs Burnside, H. W. Bruce, E. M. Bruce,Scott 4

And then on motion the further consideration of said resolutions was postponed until Wednesday next 10 O'Clock A. M.

Mr Moore ^moved^ that the Council go into secret Session. which motion was sustained- and the Council went into secret session.

On motion the council after having considered such matters as were before the secret session- again resumed its general session

Adjourned until morning next at 10 O'Clock

Attest A. Frank Brown Clerk