March 11.—In the rebel Congress, in session at Richmond, Va., Mr. Conrad, of Louisiana, offered the following peace preamble and resolution:
“Whereas, The present administration of the United States, by its reckless disregard of all constitutional restraints, by its persistent efforts to subvert the institutions of these States, and the ferocious war which it is waging for that purpose, has more than realized the worst apprehensions of our people, and fully justified their wisdom and foresight in averting, by timely separation from the Union, the calamities which a longer continuance in it would have rendered inevitable; and
“Whereas, A portion of the people of the United States have recently manifested their disapproval of the war, of the objects for which and the manner in which it is conducted, and their desire for its speedy termination, and several foreign Powers, notably the government of France, have expressed a similar desire;
“Now, therefore the Congress of the confederate States, deeply impressed with the conviction that it is their duty to leave no means untried to put an end to a contest injurious to the civilized world and disastrous to the parties engaged, believing that its prolongation can only tend to embitter and perpetuate feelings of hostility between States which, however politically disunited, must ever be intimately connected by identity of language and of religion, and by the immutable laws of geographical amity and of mutual demand and supply, deem the present time, when there is a momentary pause in conflict, a suitable one to utter the words of peace. The Senate and House of Representatives of the confederate States do therefore resolve that they will cordially cooperate with the Executive in any measures it may adopt, consistent with the honor, the dignity and independence of these States, tending to a speedy restoration of peace with all or with any of the States of the Federal Union.” The resolution was referred without debate to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
—Governor Cannon, of Delaware, issued a proclamation enjoining upon the people of that State that they should hold true allegiance to the Government of the United States as paramount to that of the State of Delaware, and that they should obey the constituted authorities thereof before the Legislature of the State of Delaware, or any other human authority whatsoever.—(Doc. 134.)
—The National Union Club, of Philadelphia, Pa., was inaugurated at that place this evening.— A brief skirmish took place at a point twelve miles east of Paris, Ky., between a party of rebel guerrillas and the guard of a National forage train, resulting in a repulse of the guerrillas.—Major-General Schenck, at Baltimore, Md., issued an order prohibiting the sale within his command of pictures of rebel soldiers and statesmen.
