were there, they were moved off with great | prospect. These depredations were far too rapidity. numerous for the credit of our troops, and I was glad to see, as I passed the General's headquarters, half a dozen of the offenders under arrest and in a fair way of receiving the punishment which they deserve.

But the strongest evidence of haste was found in the abandoned camps. In that of the Palmetto Guards, lying nearest the side of the village at which our troops entered, almost every thing remained untouched. The uni- This matter of plunder, however, it is humilforms of the officers, plates, cans, dishes, and iating to confess, is more or less inseparable camp equipage of every kind, an immense from war. It is not possible when 30,000 or quantity of excellent bacon, blankets, over- 40,000 men are marching through an enemy's coats, etc., etc., were left behind, and the country, to prevent them from supplying their tables of the officers, spread for breakfast, re- necessities and gratifying their lawless propenmained untouched. In the vest pocket of one sities by depredations upon the foe. The Engof the officers was found a gold watch; in an-lish understand this, and, as a matter of necesother was a roll of ten cent pieces, amounting | sity, permit it. A good deal of this, in the case to ten dollars; letters, papers, books and every of our troops, is due to the spirit of frolic, which thing collected in a camp which had been occu-characterizes their progress thus far in this pied for some days, were abandoned without the slightest attempt to take them away. In another camp in a field at the extremity of the town, occupied by another South Carolina regiment, the same evidences of extreme haste were visible. Unopened bales of blankets were found; scarcely any of the utensils of the camp had been removed, and bags of flour and flitches of bacon were scattered over the ground.

One discovery was made of some significance. Gen. McDowell has had the Topographical Engineers under his charge employed for some weeks in preparing a very minute and accurate | map of this portion of the State. It had been brought to a very high state of perfection, and was particularly valuable from the fact that no good maps of this county have ever before been made. A few photographic copies of this map were made a few days since for the use of the War Department, and of the officers engaged in the movement. One of these maps was found in the camp of the Palmetto Guards. Of course it could only have come there by the treachery of some person holding responsible position in our Government.

war. They act as if the whole expedition were a gigantic picnic excursion. After we were fairly in town to-day, two of the troops dressed themselves in women's clothes and promenaded the town amid the shouts and not over-delicate attentions of the surrounding troops. Others paraded the streets under the shade of the tattered umbrellas which they had found in camp; and one, donning a gown and broad bands, marched solemnly down the principal street, with an open book before him, reading the funeral-service of "that secession scoundrel, Jeff. Davis." All these humors of the camp help to pass the time, and are pursued with just as much reckless abandon now that they are on the eve of a battle which may send half of them into eternity, as if they were simply on a holiday excursion. Perhaps it is well that they do not take the matter any more seriously to heart, for it is one which will scarcely bear very serious reflection.

The men are in capital spirits, and are quite ready for the approaching crisis. The best attainable information leads us to believe that the enemy is quite as strong as we are at Manassas, The discovery of these abandoned camps and that they have the advantage of intrenchafforded a splendid opportunity for our troops ments, constructed carefully and at leisure, to replenish their slender stock of camp furni- under the immediate supervision of Gen. Beauture. They rushed to the plunder with a de- regard, and the additional advantage of rapid gree of enthusiasm which I only hope will be railroad communication with Richmond and equalled when they come to fight. Men were their base of operations. It is said here that seen crossing the fields in every direction loaded Gen. B. informed the troops here last night with booty of every description-some with that, whether they contested the possession of tents, some with blankets, overcoats, tin pans, this place or not, the question of an independ gridirons-every thing which the most fastidi- ent Southern Confederacy would be decided at ous soldier could desire. I am sorry to say that Manassas, and that he made each man of them they did not limit their predatory exploits to take an oath to fight to the last man. these camps, which might, perhaps, be consid- had not heard a good deal of this before, and ered fair objects of plunder. The appetite once seen these oaths followed by swift retreats, we excited became ungovernable, and from camps might attach more importance to them. Acthey proceeded to houses, and from plunder to cording to present appearances, however, I am wanton destruction. Five or six houses were inclined to think that the rebels will dispute set on fire, others were completely sacked-the Manassas with whatever of force and vigor they furniture stolen, the windows smashed, and possess; and it is not impossible that Gen. Mcbooks and papers scattered to the winds. Pres- Dowell may deem it advisable to await reënently in came soldiers bringing chickens, tur-forcements, if, after reconnoitring it, he finds keys, pigs, etc., swung upon their bayonets, proud of their exploits, and exultant over the luxurious and unwonted feast in immediate

the place as formidable as he anticipates.

If we

The troops are bivouacked to-night in the fields and under the open sky. The General

and staff, like the men, sleep on the ground, | apportioned among the several States which rolled in their blankets; and I found the Gen- may be included within this Confederacy, aceral at three o'clock taking his dinner of bread cording to their respective numbers, which and cheese, with a slice of ham, on the top of shall be determined by adding to the whole an overturned candle-box by the side of the number of free persons, including those bound main highway. When it comes to sleeping, I to service for a term of years, and excluding rejoice that I am a civilian, for I am much Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all slaves. better cared for to-night than the commander The actual enumeration shall be made within of this, the largest force ever marshalled under three years after the first meeting of the Conone general on this continent. There are two gress of the Confederate States, and within hotels in this place, both evidently feeble at every subsequent term of ten years, in such their best estate, and just now, after a pro- manner as they shall by law direct. The numlonged visit of rapacious and boisterous rebels, ber of Representatives shall not exceed one for in a state of suspended animation. every fifty thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, 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.

Capt. Rawlings, of the New Hampshire Regiment, with that versatility which enables a New Englander to turn from commanding armies to keeping a hotel with marvellous facility, has succeeded in infusing into the mind of the invalid widow who keeps one of them that the national troops have not come to sweep her and hers from the face of the earth. She has accordingly provided me with a bed, which, if not luxurious, is, to my untutored mind, decidedly preferable to one on the ground, even under the brilliant sky and softly superb moon of this July night. H. J. R.

-N. Y. Times, July 20.

Doo. 971.

THE CONSTITUTION

OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA."

4. When vacancies happen in the representation of any State, the Executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.

5. 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 federal 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 Legislature thereof.

SEO. 3.-The Senate of the Confederate States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen for six years by the Legislature thereof, at the regular session next immediately preceding the commencement of the term of service; and each Senator shall

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, in-have one vote. sure domestic tranquillity, and secure the bless2. Immediately after they shall be assemings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity-bled, in consequence of the first election, they invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty shall be divided as equally as may be into three God-do ordain and establish this Constitution classes. The seats of the Senators of the first for the Confederate States of America. class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year; of the second class at the expiration of the fourth year; and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year; so that one-third may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen by resignation or otherwise during the recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.

ARTICLE I.

SEC. 1.-All legislative powers herein delegated shall be vested in a Congress of the Confederate States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

SEC. 2.-The House of Representatives shall be chosen every second year by the people of the several States; and the electors in each State shall be citizens of the Confederate States, and have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislature; but no person of foreign birth, not a citizen of the Confederate States, shall be allowed to vote for any officer, civil or political, State or Federal.

3. No person shall be a Senator, who shall not have attained the age of thirty years, and be a citizen of the Confederate States; and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of the State for which he shall be chosen.

4. The Vice-President of the Confederate States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.

2. No person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained the age of twenty-five years, and be a citizen of the Confederate States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State in which he shall be 5. The Senate shall choose their other offichosen. cers, and also a President pro tempore, in the 3. Representatives and direct taxes shall be absence of the Vice-President, or when he

shall exercise the office of President of the Confederate States.

6. The Senate shall have sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the Confederate States is tried, the Chief-Justice shall preside; and no person shall be convicted without the concur-erate States shall be a member of either House rence of two-thirds of the members present.

2. No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the Confederate States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no person holding any office under the Confedduring his continuance in office. But 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 measure appertaining to his de

7. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit, under the Confederate States; but the party convicted shall, never-partment. theless, be liable to and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment according to law.

SEC. 4.-The times, places, and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof, subject to the provisions of this Constitution; but the Congress may, at any time, by law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the times and places of choosing Senators.

2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year; and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall, by law, appoint a different day.

SEC. 7.-All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other bills.

2. Every bill which shall have passed both Houses shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President of the Confederate States; if he approve he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it with his objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of that House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that House, it shall become a law. But in all such cases, the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each House respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after 2. Each House may determine the rules of it shall have been presented to him, the same its proceedings, punish its members for disor-shall be a law, in like manner as if he had derly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of the whole number, expel a member.

SEC. 5.-Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each House may provide.

3. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such part as may in its judgment require secrecy, and the ayes and nays of the members of either House, on any question, shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journal.

4. Neither House, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

SEC. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the Confederate States. They shall, in all cases except treason and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place.

signed it, unless the Congress, by their adjournment, prevent its return; in which case it shall not be a law. The President may approve any appropriation and disapprove any other appropriation in the same bill. In such case he, shall, in signing the bill, designate the appropriations disapproved; and shall return a copy of such appropriations, with his objections, to the House in which the bill shall have originated; and the same proceedings shall then be had as in case of other bills disapproved by the President.

3. Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence of both Houses may be necessary (except on questions of adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the Confederate States; and before the same shall take effect shall be approved by him; or being disapproved by him, may be repassed by twothirds of both Houses, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in case of a bill.

SEO. 8.-The Congress shall have power1. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, for revenue necessary to pay the debts, provide for the common defence, and carry on the Government of the Confederate

16. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the Confederate States; reserving to 10. All bills appropriating money shall specithe States, respectively, the appointment offy in federal currency the exact amount of each

appropriation and the purposes for which it is | excessive fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual made; and Congress shall grant no extra com- punishment inflicted. pensation to any public contractor, officer, agent, or servant, after such contract shall have

16. No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service, in time of war, or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor be SEO. 1.-The Executive power shall be vestcompelled in any criminal case to be a witnessed in a President of the Confederate States of against himself; nor be deprived of life, lib- America. He and the Vice-President shall erty, or property, without due process of law; hold their offices for the term of six years; but nor shall any private property be taken for the President shall not be reëligible. The public use without just compensation. President and Vice-President shall be elected as follows: