From the Richmond Dispatch, 4/14/1863, p. 1, c. 4

City Council - The newly elected City Council held its first regular monthly meeting at 4 o’clock yesterday evening, at the City Hall. Present: Messrs. Saunders, Walker, Randolph, Deacon, Griffin, Crutchfield, Clopton, Sicker, Epps, Richardson, Scott, Haskins, and Burr.

A resolution was adopted authorizing the Confederate Government to appropriate all the old cannon used as street posts and belonging to the city, provided they are replaced as soon as removed by substantial stone posts.

Mr. Burr offered a resolution, which was adopted, that the Chairman, under the direction of the Committee on Finance, be authorized to reinvest $150,000, now invested by the city in the call loan, in eight per cent bonds of the Confederate States.

Mr. Randolph, from the Select Committee on the Relief of the Poor, reported an ordinance to the following effect: That all appropriations for the relief of the poor, not in the Poor-House, shall be placed in the hands of the Overseers of the Poor. The paid Overseers shall establish a free market; which shall be held open one day in each week. - All persons who may enjoy the benefits of the institution will be provided with tickets. There shall also be a fuel depot, which shall be regulated in like manner. Each will be discontinued when ever the amount appropriated shall be consumed. The Board of Overseers will assembles once a week to hear and grant applications make investigation of the character of applicants, and do other business connected therewith. No relief will be given unless the applicant be unable to procure subsistence or fuel, nor to any able-bodied man, nor to any person who has participated in a riot. An agent is appointed to purchase and superintend the distribution of articles.
The rules being suspended, the ordinance was passed.

Mr. Randolph offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the Attorney for the city be requested to advise the Council whether the city is liable for property destroyed or taken by rioters, and if there is no such liability, whether, in his opinion, the Council has the legal right, under the charter of the city, to assume and pay claims for such property.

The Council adjourned, on motion of Mr. Scott.

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