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QSbroitide & Sentinel.
QCOROU L.BUHK >TI **-
SPr.aiL OORtIKSPONDEKC* CHROKJ' i e & arSTIXKL
SENATE.
MILLEDOtVILLt. NoV. 5.*1
Senate met at lit o’clock. Called to order j
)iv ■ r /- r> .tary. Prayer by Her. Z. Edmonton.
AH members present except Mes-irs.Guyton. .
MoCatcbeonn, Mcßae and Spnvberry.
Th«. Senate then proceeded to the election ol
President, e' el yore The nanforpf Cei. ClKim
l.ers, Gen. A. R. IVright, anl Mr. Pric<. were
announced. On the Unit ballot. Wright re
ceived 17; Chambers H; Price <T. The uaaie ]
~j M r . Price was then withdrawn. On the,3d,
0,1, ith and 6th ballots, there was a tie. TV rigid
and Chambers each received 19 voles. On the
tith ballot Gen. Wright received 20 votes, Col.
Chambers IS, and Gen. Wright was declared
elected.
Messrs. Blackwell, Chambers and l’r tv were
appointed a committee to condui t Gen. Wright
to the Chair. On taking Iris seat, lie poke ns
follows :
•Senators.- I am profoundly grateful for the j
distinguished honor which, through your kind- j
ness you have been pleased to bestow upon me. j
t Lterlv distrustful ot ury competency to di.;- j
c harge the varied duties incident to ho honor
able and important a station, 1 can but throw j
myself upon your kindness and beg to draw
upon your charity where your judgment
would condemn. I bring to the task assigned
me nothing but htt honest determination to
exercise what little of ability l a, tv possess, bo
a.» to promote harmony and good feeling la the
deliberations of this body, and to as.-i.it la
shaping the action of the (senate so as to secure
Die success of otlr anna, tho safety of our
homes, and the preservation of onr liberties.
Standing as we do, in the midst of a mighty
revolution, which not only draws upon u*; in
Us train the usual calamities of war—suffering,
orrow and death, we find ourselves to-dnv
.oigaged In deadly throes with an enemy utterly
regardless of the roles of civilized warfare—
whoso meannees would challenge the admira
tion of a Hottentot, whose perfidy would shame
:i savage, whoso cruelty would disgrace a
Turk.
Grave and important measures—questions
p«rba|>B Involving our very existence as a peo
(ile —will engage your attention. Let us then
reverently and trustfully invoke the aid of that
August Power, “which rides upon the whirl
wind. and directs the storm,’’ humbly and
cheerfully committing our cause to the direc
tion of ‘‘Him who doeth all things well.’’
General Wright took his seat amid general
applause.
The voto for Secretary stood Kenan 2l; Mo
bley 16; blank 2. Kenan declared clccteit.’
L. A. Simons was elected messenger and Wiu.
11. Robei ts doorfceener.
Rules of last session adopted, fifty copies
ordered to be printed.
Messrs. Adams, Pottio and Enid appointed
a committee to have session opened with prater.
Messrs. Walker, Cham tiers ami Cone appoint
ed committee on part of the Senate to iiriotm
the Governor that they wore ready for business.
AFTERNOON’ SESSION.
In the afternoon the Governor’s Message was
received and read and 1,000 copies ordered to
be printed.
HOUSE.
.MtLi.i.:naEvu.i.i:, X,,\, 5, Ir-ikh
lb,use met at 12 o’clock, (.'ailed to order
by Mr. Carrington, clerk of last House. .Mem
bers sworn in by Judged, H. Lumpkin. H juso
proceeded to election of speaker. Col. Harde
man received So votes; Big bam 56. 1 iardenian
declared ejected.
Col. Hardeman, on tilting the chair,delivers
t and the annexed speech :
Gentlemen of the House of /?«/>,■.sea'ii/ir./
With great diffidence and distrust I assu me the
position to which you in your kimlnr-.i lincci
called me. and while I gratefully acknowledge
the compliment, I at the same time, solicit your
charitable consideration for any eirera [ "may
unwittingly commit, assuring you that toy chief
desire will be so to preside over your delibera
tions ns to merit your approval, and advance
the great interest of those who have honored
us with their confident. The duties of a leg
islator in limes of peace and prosper!tv ate
arduous and responsible; how much more so
will they be now, when ail above is gloom, and
all around us are evidences of the tempest and
the storm.
Our state, acting inker sovereign Capacity,
severed the ties that bound her to the Federal
government, and with her alx«erseceding fftal.es
termed a government of their own. That dis
•olution resulted in war—bitter, unrelenting
war. With cotnmendabla unanimity our people
have forgotten the difference! of the pas!, and
instigated by a sense of common interest, and a
common destiny, hare determi ied to be free or
die in tho glorious struggle for independence,
in carrying out that resolution Georgia hashotm
second to none of her sister fftatea. i tio valor
of her sons—the nrowees of her arms.—have
tieen illustrated wherever duty called or danger
threatened. With insufficient oonipeneationi
amid immediate hardships, fatiguing niarciias,
stubborn defences, is- deadly ti-.fonU.i, th.-v
havo evinced patience nust couimendaiile, > afor
unsurpassed, and patriotism worthy of the no
ble old State The struggle in which tijey are
engaged is not yet ended. We see not the be
ginning of Dio end. Tiie present is surrounded
with dangers; the future full of contention uni
strife. Georgia must yet act her parkin this
bloody drama. The energies, .resource;; and
wealth of her people uui9t still be taxed for the
prosecution of this unholy War. .Success in in'- i
dependence—defeat is degradation aud n'avorr. ;
The day for compromises has p used, and )
though we desire peace—speedy peace--we j
reek it not at the price of national honor or na- I
t tonal independence. Wei an hold no affilia
tion with those who would sack i Hire:’.it- —de-.,-.
cerate our altars ind ensiavo our people. Tliq
sword must now gain for us tvhat ju.-*ieehas
.denied. To accomplish theso results—to drive
the invader from our soil—to give quiet to
vur homesteads—security to our altars and
peace to onr distracted country—we must su3-
t.Du that gallant army, which stands as a yyaH of
defence between us and the foe. We should
not only strengthen their ortns, hut protect
thoir families from suffering and tlieir children
lrom want. This dntv will devolve upon you.
Other subjects will engage yctir serious atten
tion. Our depreciated currency will bo press
ed upon your consideration. Our agrieultoiak
commercial and mechanical interests sliou and re
ceive your fostering care aud attention. Ours
is no holiday [mstime. The honor and welfare
of Georgia are committed to our keeping. The
guardianship of her interests, the pi-e*i*rvati(Hi
o( the rights ol her chUem—the fulfilling of
Die great ends of the Constitution--ai-- all ™.
mitted to your hands.
Georgia stands conspicuous among her sister
tStatea-thanks to tbewialom ot'pasUeeidKtor.s:
Her hilts have been dug down-her val'evs
have been eievaW-her mines explored—tier
mountains tunnelled—her streams made vocal
with the hnm of machinery—her credit . -tali
liahed upon a firm foundation— aud all that is
lett for us to do, is to foster and protect the in
terests they have encouraged and developed
The times require boldness re thoogiTt and de
termination of nction. \Vith firm resolve upd
wanly purpose let us come up to the high stan
dard of Legislators, unmindful of everything
l>tit Georgia’s interest and Georgia’s honor, for
bd wpo falters now is unworthy ot bis constitu
ency. awj of the great State licit throws m ound
him the aeyis of her protection and her law*.
Invoking the TMyloo blessing upon our doliber
ations, I proceed td the discharge of the duties
incumbent on my
L. Carrington was uiNiiimoudy elected
Speaker.
Jesse Osltn was elected Messeajy'i : 1 J. Al
fred was elected Doorkeeper.
AFTCHSOON SESSIOS.
Mes.;r- Beall, Ilester, and Parsons appointed
a committee on part of the House to notify the
Governor that that body was ready to receive
any communication from h'm
Messrs. Kighant, Anderson, and Baldwin
tere appointed a eoromiteee to tur.Kfe arrange- i
mentis for daily prayers.
Messrs. Lever, Moore, llill. Law-ton. and
A Arms were appointed a committee- u rules.
Members then proceeded to draw for s.-jn
Governor's message was then receive,! and
, end.
Usual vote to print pas-ed Hdhso then ad
journed
a.\ \L vl,
GOVERNOR JOSEPH F.. BROWN, I
T 1„. i.rmiOlA LKUISLATLIIB, ASSEMBLED SO* |
veneer sth. 1803.
Execctive Department, ) \
MII.I.FOOKVILLE, Nov. sth, 186:1, j
To the Senate und tinuse of Representatives ;
the last annual meeting of the General
.V-emMv. our noble Stale, in connection with
i, O .- rioitihcrn sister*, has pasted through the
vicissitudes ot another year of Moody war, waged
with more than savage cruelty, by a revengeful
arid unjust, though powerful enemy. Thou
sands of her most gallant and chivalrous sons
have poured out their life’s blood upon the bat
'd., held, or yielded t.) the stern messenger, upon
th, , irk couch of tile soldier ; and as they have
entered the dark valley of the shadow of death,
I covered with wounds, or emaciated with dis
they have cast a lingering look hack upon
; the land for whose IrecJojn they fiave fought .
and in the heaving pangs of dissolution, have
' exhorted all who survive to emulate their e.s)
j ample, and die as they have died, sooner than
! permit their descendants to !>e enslaved. These
i uohie men have risked and lost all in their own,
■ and our defence, and we should merit and re
-1 ceive the scorn of the civilized world, it We
should permit their orphan children to
pass under .the vote ol bondage, for lack of
manliness on onr part to meet the for face to
fare, and grapple with him hand to hand, while
he invade* our territory and we are aide to main
j tain an army in the field,"or to strike a blow in
! freedom's cause.
No one can doubt what ins duty is, if he re
j lloc.t. upon tiie nature ol the content in which
. wo are engage.!, and the motives which impel the
people ol the two governments to action.
Tt’e of the South are lighting for the great
principles of kclf-govermnent, bequeathed to us
i,y our fathers of the revolution of 1776. We
are lighting for the land of our nativity, our
homes and our property, our wives and our chil
dren. We have waged no aggressive war upon
the people of fire Northern States. We have
m t denied their right to govern themselves, or
lo adopt such form of government as they may
prefer. V. e have neither insulted their wives,
destroyed their cities, stolen their property, dese
crated then churches, nor the graves of their an
cestors ; bul we have conceded their right of
.self -government, respected their private proper
tv, and treated as sacred the altars of their reli
gion, and tho resting places of their dead. All
these have been violated on onr soil by their
vandal armies.
In imitation of our fathers of tho first revolu
tion.-we submitted to wrong, till opr grievances
were intolerable, and whon we could no longer
live with the people of the Northern States
in peace, and were obliged to throw off the yoke,
we only asked to tie permitted to depart in peace.
This right was denied us, and the present cruel
and unjust “war was waged against us. Wo
light then, for the inalienable right of self-gov
ernment, and for the civil and religious liberties
of ourselves and our unborn.posterity.
For what are our enemies fighting I They
fight for power and plunder, and for the destruc
tion of the right of self-government. They
commenced the war titular the hypocritical pre
text o! restoring the Union, and maintaining the
Constitution. Recently, however, the despot
who now roles at W ashington, has thrown off
tltis mask, and hits informed a committee from
a-Southern State, claiming loyalty to his gov
ernment, that he now conducts the war for the
abolition of slavery, the subjugation of the
Southern States, -and the • confiscation of their
piop.--ity. Abolition, subjugation, and confisca
tion, arc the terms offered to us. Who that is
not a dastard is prepared to submit to either 1
I have beard it remarked that this is the rich
j t nun's quarrel, and the poor man’s fight, and
that the abolition of slavery would not injure the
poor, who are not slaveholders. A greater error
has newer been conceived. While I admit that
litany of the rich have fallen far short of the dis
charge of-their duty in this contest, and have
merited the condemnation of all true patriots ; I
affirm that no class of society would suffer as
much from abolition as the poor, and that no
class lias a greater interest, in every! (Ting but
property, at stake upon the triumph of our arms,
and the success of our cause.
.Mr. Lincoln avows his purpose to abolish
slavery by force of turns ; and to establish negro
equality among us. If hr is successful, the rich
who own slaves wilt lose their mftney which is
invested in them, but they will generally have
enough left, to enable them to take their families
and get aw ay from a state of society so wretch
ed and so degrading. The poor who have not
the means to-eimlile them lo leave, must remain
With their fumilioH ; ami lo submit to negro
cquullty. V, lint is the result ? The poor white
man gor.t to the polls to vole, if lie is ever again
denniitod lo vote, amt the negro, claimed by Mr.
Lincoln to be his equal, goes.by his side, to ej
etc- the tame right, and make a set off against
hia vote. The poor man enters the jury box in
the Court of justice, where important rights are
t o be decided; and the negro lakes his seal by his
ic, and id recognized by the Court as his equal.
The poor man .is cm trial for his life, the negro
appears upon the stand, as his equal, and is per
mitted to testify against- hint. The poor man
who labors for his .daily bread, goes to his
w .-lihltier neighbor to seek employment, the ne
gro appears by his side and underbids him in
fixing the price of labor. The poor roan sends
his children to school, and the children of the
negro an; seated by their side,and if he xemon
sttates in* i. informed that tiie negro child is the
equal.of his own.
Again our form of government is emphatically
i ihe poor man’s best government ; and he lose*
* ail hia polititieal rights, if lie [lermit* it to be
i overthrown, li our government were monnrehi-
I cal, and wealth and honors, with the right to
j govern, descended l>v the laws of the kingdom
i ni the same family from generation to genera
tion the poor man would have but little interest
'T it, and but little inducement to fight for it.-
Bui under our form of goverment, wealth and
honora are the exclusive prerogatives of no par
ticular family. Like the waves of the ocean
the y are constantly changing place, and are |
transferred as generations pass, from one family
to another. U’-liej outh who learnsthat his father
lias weultli and honors, is ajit to make them liis
dc[iendence, and relax his energies, and it not
untroquentiy occurs tliat Lis mental and physi-
I cai constitution are destroyed by drunkenness, or
I other dissipations. . The consequence is that he
j descends to a lower position in society. On the
other hand, the son of the poor roan, who lias
boon trained in the school of adversity uud la
i'Oj, if he has ambition, talent, honesty, integrity
and energy, finding tlie road to wealth and
honor open before him, often distances competi
tion, atui carries oil’Du* most valuable prize.—
ffome liltic bright-eyed boy, now meanly clad
and neglected, the son of tiie poorest man in the
Confederate army,’ may by his economy and his
energy;, become tiie wealthiest man of his State,
or by tiis talent and eloquence, he may in future
lead the Senate ; or on account of his wisdom,
iris patriotism and his administrative ability, he
may be called to the responsible position of l'res
blent .-I the Confederacy. Tell me not that tho
p* a mao foi.-, no interest in this contest, when
toe social elevation, or degredation of himself
' !l ' s children depend upon its results. Let it
, l l ' ,r ’C S;l id that he is disinterested, when the
momentous decision is to bq made, whether he
iot ' tIJ 10 N *he superior, or only the equal
1 thi-" f ! ', Urol> i 110 P‘*c» r man will sav thdt'
Wh ™ **'- '«y existence of
i children -.quality p uli
couth ! a conquered, .and the sun%. liberty whit
|. b> . 111 l ; h,o>l ’ Inll despotism willbe establish
- and, and ttie rqmtl political rights of the poor and
; tliou children will be forever lost. •
Gat th. abolition of slavers is not the o n lv I
oty.-.'t 1- £ which l.*e war is now
U e ire mfc.ruie'd tlrat the armies of the enemy* l
iic to be used for our subjugation. W hat would
! then be our condition ? We should have no
political rights, except such as our masters chose
to permit us to exercise. Our States would be I
reduced to provinces or territories. We could,
neither have Legislatures nor Courts, without
the consent of the victors. Our right to vote, or
to hold property, or to set upon juries, or testify
n Court, would he subject to their caprice.—
Whether we w ere permitted to worship God ac
cording to i he dictates of our own consciences,
or must submit to such established religion as
uur conquerors might prescribe, would depend
entirely upon their will, as we should then have
no enrsejiiutfopai . vht pud r.o soar:.;.:*® <a ti t
Hbcny r.t cnfiicfonce. TANARUS: , - .rnr,.".- :itde-to cor.- ,
ceive of a people in a Tuqr-,- wretched CQqdilitvn, i
than we would be altet fotr subjugalion. Bui;
our misery is not to r n«| here.’ Our slaves are:
not oniy to be set tree among us and tie made j
our equals, and our subjugation to he complete ; j
but all our property is to be confiscated to pay j
the war debt of the abolition government, and!
maintain an insolent army in our midst to dra- j
goon us into perpetual submission, and rivet our i
chains more closely from generation-to genera- j
tion.
Every' reflecting mind is obliged to compre- :
hem! that it would take nearly or quite the j
whole property of tiie South to pay the immense ;
war debt of the North; utnl if any should be left
after its payment, that Yankee cupidity in pos
session of unrestrained power, would soon ap
propriate the balance to its own Bsc. But sup
pose the abolition government should modify ..s
policy and repeal the confiscation act, what
would he the result ! We should he permitted
to keep the possession of our property, hut we
should be taxed to the full extent of its annual
incomes, instead of giving it up to pay the
debt at once, we should be coirqielled to act as
Qvex-jeers for the Lincoln government, receiving
a hare subsistence for nut labor. Whether our
property is ail confiscated and sold to pay the
debt immediately or U left in our hands, and
taxed till it is wort:.less to us matters very little,
as in either case we arc subjugated seris—mere
paupers aud slaves to utaffitiun power* Notonly
every principle of honor and ot manliness, but
every- obligation which ancestry can be under to
future posterity, requires that we should never
yield to subjugation, but that we should defend
our liberties and strike for independence, as long
as we have a man to muster ora weapon to use.
Then-constructionist who imagines that ifthe
war were ended, we should be placed back where,
we were when it commenced, la hors under an
egregrious error. The Lincoln government
offers no such terms, and it is not in its power
to grant any such, as it could not restore the
slaughtered kindred, compensate our injuerd
females, or return oytr devastated fields and
cities, as they were when this wicked war was
waged upon us. Let the reconstruetionist re
member that the terms offered by the govern
ment ut Washington are not the restoration of
the Union, and compensation for the injuries it
has done us; but they are abolition, subjuga
tion, and confiscation. It is announced by an
officer high in position, upon the authority of
the Supreme Court, that all tho property of all
the citizens ot a State in rebellion, as they term
us, is subject to confiscation ; whether such
citizen ftvored the rebellion or not. In -other
words, they declare their intention, so soon as
we arc subjugated, to confiscate all the property
of all the people of the Confederate States, no
matter what may have been their opinions of the
war, or their conduct Muring its prosecution.—•
These terms cannot lie very consoling to the
friends of the abolition government, if there he
any such in the Confederacy.
SUBSTITUTES IN TIIE ARMY.
That portion of the conscript act which au
thorises those within conscript age to employ
substitutes, has, in my opinion, been productive
of the most unfortunate results. If conscription
is right, or if it is to he acquiesced in as a matter
of necessity, it’is certainly just that it act upon
all alike, whether licit or poor. With the sub
stitution principle in the act, its effect has been
to compel the poorer class, who have no money
with which to employ substitutes, to enter the
army, no matter wliht may be.the condition of
their families at home, while the rich, who have
money with which to employ substitutes, have
oticn escaped compulsory service. This is not
just as between man and man. While I trust
1 have shown that the poorest matt in the Con
federacy lias such interest at stake u» should
stimulate him to endure any amount of hard
ship or danger for the success of our cause, it
cannot be denied that the wealthy arc under as
great obligation to do service, as they have, in
addition to the rights and liberties of themselves
and their children, a large amount ot
to protect. If every wealthy man would do his
duty, and share his part of the dangers of the
war, but few complaints would be heard from
the poor. But if the money of the rich is to
continue to secure him from the hardshijw, pri
vations and dangers, to which the poor are ex
posed, discontent, and more or less demoraliza
tion iit the army must lie the inevitable result.
He who has paid two or three thousand dol
lars for his substitute, lias often made it back in
a single month by speculation, and it has net
iinfrequently happened that the families of those
in service r.t eleven dollars per month, have been
the most unfortunate victims of his speculation
and extortion.
Avery large number of stout, aiiie-iio'died
young men, between IH and 4.7 years of age, are
now out of tiie army, and in their places the
Government lias accepted old men over 47, who
have, in most.cases, lie *n unable to undergo long
marches, privation, and fatigue. Thousands of
these have sunk by the way, either into the
hospitals or into the, grave. It is also under
■tnod that murh the larger nuttilier of deserters
and stragglers from the army have been substi
tutes, who have entered it for hue, and after re
ceiving the stipulated price, liave sought the
first opportunity to escape, which they have in
onie instances been permitted to do, with tiie
acquiescence and encouragement of officers,
who have been their partners in guilty specula
tion. Thus the same individual lias been ae
eepled a- a substitute for each of several able
bodied young men,’ who have been left at homo
to seek for gain and enjoy comfort, while our
enemies have gained advantages on account of
Die weakness of our armies.
it we expect to lie successful in our struggle,
tiie law must be so changed as to place in ser
vice the tens of thousands of young men, »ho
are now at iionie. This would reinforce our
armies so -as to enable us to drive back, tiie enemy
upon every part of our borders. After this
change in tiie law the Government could pro
vide for the protection of the most important in
terests at home, by making proper details of such
jiersoiLs as are indispensably necessary. This
would be much better than the extension of the
conscription act up to 60 or 55, as il would bring
into the field young men able to endure service,
in place of old men who must soon fail when
exposed to great tatigne and tiarilsliip, many of
whom are as competent as young men to over
see plantations and attend to other home inter
ests.
Hut it may be denied that the Government
can now so change the law, as to make those
who have furnished sulistitutes liable to service,
as it is bound by its contract to exempt them,
and they have acquired, vested lights under the
contract, which it is not in the power of the
Government to divest. Let us examine this for
a moment. I purchase a lot of land from the
State of Georgia, and pay her one thousand
dollars for it, and she conveys it to me by grant
under her great seal. The contract is as solemn
and binding as tin: Government can make it.—
My fee simple title is vested and complete. But
while 1 have the grant ill my pocket and the
State has my money in her treasury, it is dis
covered that- public necesssity requires the Slate
to repossess herself of the land ; I refuse to sell
to her ; she may pay me just compensation, and
take the land without my consent, and she vio
lates no fundamental principle, as all our private
rights must yield to the public good, and if we
are injured we can only require just compensa
tion for the injury.
Again, suppose I have laliored hard and made
upon my land a surplus of* provisions, which are
my own right anil property, and I refqpe to sell
them to the Government when the army is in
need of them ; it may take them without my
consent and pay me just compensation, and 1
have been deprived of none of my constitutional
rights.
The right of a person wdo- h;i* employed a
substitute to be exempt from nrilfiary service,
certainly stand upon no higher ground. Tire
foryerninem has extended to such parsons the
privilege of exemption upon the employment of
a proper substitute, but if the public safety re
rfofifV*' , (,over "ment certainly has as much
from mV e '° ke , th , is P* I " l *** «it to lake
property 'for ° r l ,rovl ' 4l °ns, or other
who* employed "the US *U ? rid al! the Person
Would be lust comil suf,sl,t “ t<a could demand
uiu De just compensation for the injury The
measure of damages might he the ‘ J Ine
by the principal for his substitute
for the time the substitute has serve t ' rata
the payment of the damage orThe
sationfor it, the Government wo^d^Te^;
nght to retain the substitute, as well as the win
npal in service, as the substitute has been paid
i.y the principal to: it;a service. *r*d (he p;;-ir*ip»4
comper.aatc J for ihe .ianiage done film
i.y ordering him into service, it would be com
petent, however, in estimating the'damages in
such case, to take into the account, the interest
the principal has in the success of our cause, and
the establishment ol’ our independence, as netes
s*ry to tilt- perpetuity of his liberties, and the se
curity of ali his rights. It Woitlii also be compe
tent to inquire whether be lias indeed suffered
any pecuniary lo**. if he has paid three thou
sand dollars for a substitute, aud has been kept
out of the army for that sum one year, and du
ring that timo he has made, ten thousand dollars
more by speculation, er oilier wise, than be would
have made had he been in the army, at eleven
dollars per month, the actual amount of com
pensation due from the Government to him
iiiiget lie very small indeed, if anything.
Believing that the public necessity requires it.
and entertaining to doubt that Congress posses
esthe power to remedy the evil, without violating
vested rights, I rrspoetfullv recommend the pas
sage of a joint resolution by this General As
sembly, requesting (’ingress to repeal that part
of the conscript act, which authorises the em
ployment of substitute*, and as conscription is
the present policy of the Government, to re
quire all persons able to do mill’ary duly, who
have substitutes in service, to enter tiie military
service of the Confederacy, with the least possi
ble delay, and to provide some just rule of com
pensation to those who may he injured by the
enactment of such u law. I also recommend
that said resolution instruct our Senators, and
request our Representatives in Congress to vote
for and urge the passage of this measure ut the
earliest posrible day.
DESERTERS AND S fitAIJOtER-S FROM THE AEMT.
Deserters aud stragglers troiu the army, sod
the too conimo i practice of overstaying the time
allowed those on furlough, are evils which if not
checked, must result in great injury to our cause
and endanger our success.
A person who has travelled over the country
to any considerate extent, cannot have failed to
observe vast number of persons in the uniform
of Confederate officers and ol soldiers, who
crowd our railroad cars, and fill every hotel on
out line of travel. Many of these persons an*
believed to l>e neglecting duty, and attending lo
speculation, and other private interests, or plea
sure. Some who are not in commission no doubt
wear Confederate uuiform to enable them to
avoid enrollment as conscripts. Those absent
on sick leave have frequently stayed weeks and
months after they were able to return to camps,
and have procured from unscrupulous surgeons,
certificates, which have excused them w ith their
commandeis. Others overstay their time with
out excuse, till they fear the penalties that await
them, and they then determine never Ui return.
Bv these practices, the army is greatly- depleted,
and has not in the field much more than half its
strength ; and many in service arc denied fur
loughs which ought to Im* grunted, because oth
ers have not been compelled to do their duty,
and-return at the appointed time. Whether
these abuses arc caused by the favoritism or neg
ligence of officers in command, or by the failure
of the |>eople at home to require ol all who are
absent,in violation of orders, to return, Ido not
pretend to decide. The evil is an alarming oue,
however, and calls for a speedy remedy.
In response tothe request of Confederate Cen
erals in command, I have by proclamation direct
ed the civil and military officers of this State, and
the State troops, to be vigilant iu the arrest of de
esrters and stragglers. Many have been arrested by
them, and returned to their respective command*,
but further legislation is required to enable the
Executive to apply an effective remedy. It is
necessary that the law make it an impera
-1 tive duty of all sheriff’s, constables, and all other
civil officers of every grade; and of all the mi
litia officers of tills State, lo arrest each and eve
ry person in their respective counties who la-long
tothe Confederate army, and cannot show that
be lias a-legal furlough, and lias not .overstayed
the time allowed him. A heavy penalty should
be imposed upon each officer who neglects to dis
charge his duty, and execute the law ; and a
sufficient sum should be appropriated to defray
the expense of the arrest of all deserters and
stragglers, and of their ronveyanceand delivery,
to a Confederate oflieeruuthorizej to receive and
return them to their commands. A resolution
should also he passed, requesting the Oonleder
‘ ate Government to refund to Georgia, all sums
necessarily expended in the return of such per
sons totbeir places of service ; or to authorize tho
Post (Quartermaster at the place where the de
serter or straggler may be delivered to a Confed
erate officer,to pay all necessary expenses. The lat
ter plan if adopted by Congress,Would be the more
equitable and just, and would tie attended with
, less complication of the accounts between the
I Confederate und State Government.
If each State will adopt a policy of the cha
racter atsive indicated, and the Government at
Richmond will require its General* in command
of Departments, to punish severely, all officers
guilty of favoritism, in granting furloughs; and
will compel u!l its Chief Commissaries and
(Quartermasters to dismiss lrom their service, all
persons subject to conscription, and to send back
■to the army the large number ot idlers who are
found about nil our towns and cities, many of
whom have details with very little duly to per
form, or positions, which are of little practical
use, oilier than to keep them out of reach of
danger; arid if it will pttl negroes in the place,
ol eight out often ot our teamsters in the arutv,
leaving enough ot the t» ost e.Xjierienced aud en
ergetic white teamsters to control the negroes;
and «ill fill with negroes the places of niue
tenthsofthe white men now engaged in making
potash, and attending to other similar duties,
and will in each case compel the white niett re
lieved, to take their positions in the ranks bh
soldiers, and will order into serv ice the swarm of
enrolling officers, who, in some of the counties,
are spending their time in idleness and dissipa
tion, and are scarcely sending to the camp of
instruction once a month, a number of conscripts
as large as tlieir own number ; we shall soon
seethe army greatly strengthened, and the troojsi
much better contented und more irresistible,
dusiice to those who have done their duty faith
fully inquires that others shall be compelled to
do likewise.
EXEMPTION OF STATE OFFIOEIf.S.
Tiie Congress of the Confederate States, at
its la»t session, passed an act, exempting from
conscription, all State officers, claimed as exempt
by the Governor of each State, till the meeting
ot the next legislature of the State after tiie date
of the act. It is now left for tin* General As
sembly old this Slate to determine what State
officers shall in future be exempt from conscrip
tion. While Congress has no power to disband
the Government of a State, nr take from it any
of its officers civil or military by conscription,
without, its consent, the State has the power il'it
chooses to exercise it, to turn over any of its
officers not necessary to its existeuc?, to the
Confederate Government, for military Ben ice.
Entertaining the opinion that the State should
always keep within her limits, and at Iter com
mand, b sufficient force to execute her laws, do
police duty, and repel raids and robber bands
from Iter soil, and should preserve intact Iter
government; I have felt it mv duty to refuse to
permit iter officers to be enrolled as conscripts;
but I have required them to hold themselves in
constant readiness to do local service, and to
enter the organizations formed for home defence,
without regard to rank ; and have given the offi
cers furloughs when necessary, to enable them
to discharge even the duties of privates in volun
teer organizations. When I refused to permit
ihe officers to be taken as conscripts, I acted
upon a principle, and not from favoritism to the
officers as individuals, as I have no personal ac
quaintance with one in ten of them, and there
is no reason why 1 should be more partial to
them than other good citizens. Thongh my
course at the time gave much dissatisfaction, and
political opponents seized upon the occasion to
I prejudice the minds of the people against me, I
trust the result has vindicated my conduct.
Had I permitted the military organization of
the State to bo disbanded, it would not have
been in my power to have filled the late requisi
tion of the President upon this State for . 8,000
troops for local defence, as I should have had no
officera at my command in the several counties
conduat the organization required by the Pre
sident. This will lie more clearly seen by con
trasting the action of Georgia with that of Ala
bama. The legislslaxure of Alabama by joint
resolution, if I mistake riot, turned overall militia
officers in that State within conscript age, to en
rollment. Georgia retained hers. The Presi
dent called upon Georgia for 8,000 men forborne
defence; and upon Alabama for here quota.— I
Georgia raised and tendered over rs.oOfl, Ala- 1
grq* bfiriiad tsraiw the qurofcst Taqujrfci. end’
the (rovetnot was obhxed to cer.vens vhe ies -
lature. am! recommend th.,- re-qrganizanqp ot ,
the militia, amithe appointment of new office!*,
before the quota of the State could be filled. The
fault rested not with tile people of Alabama, for
none are more loyal, gallant and patriotic, but it
resulted from the action of the legislature in per
mitting the militia system of the State to be
virtually destroyed by the enrolling officers,
which left the Governor w ithout officers to obey
his order*, und conduct the organizations neces
sary lo fill the quota.
1 ‘He who yields to popular clamor,** in the
midst ot excitement, and abandons priiacipie,
whether from mistaken ideas of patriotic duty,
or for mere expediency, is sure, to have abundant
cause to regret it. The majority of the people
are honest, ami though they may become exci
ted, and may for ati ne tie led astray by design
ing politicians nr unprincipled leaders, they will,
when correctly informed,generally do right, and
stand by the principle; and will in the end
bestow their confidence most liberally upon the
public man, who has the moral firmness and
determination to resist their will, when they are
excited and misled, and to invite them back to
the true path of first principles.
FA X OF SOLDIER ft.
The rate ot monthly compensation fixed by
law for officers und soldiers when everything
was upon the gold basis, which was the case
when the act was passed, may then have been
sufficient lint the currency has been depre
ciated till it is now virtually no reward fer
their services. Take for instance a lieutenant
iu a company, who has to purchase his cloth
ing and rations out of his i>*y. aud his wages
will not pay for his board, much less will it
clothe him. Our company officers havelo live
upon scanty allowance, and cannot generally
affoTd to purcha e uniforms, to distinguish
them from privates. The private gets rations
aud clothing aud eleven dollars per month in
tiie piefent depreciated currency. The ques
tion of an increase of compensation was at my
suggestion pressed upon Congress by the last
legislature of this State, but tho Senate refused
to sanct ou it. The objection urged against
the iitea ute with the most earnestness seemed
(o be. tlrat the soldiers we:e not fighting lot
pay, but for glory, liberty, jiatriotLm and in
deiieudence. l'hcre might tiw some force in
this position, if Congress which compels the
soldier to fight at eleven dollars per mouth, for
independence and glory, could compel the
nianufactui er to make clotli to clothe the sol-
dier's naked families, or (lie tanner (o make
leather for their shoes, cr tli * mercli <nt to sell
them goods, or the farmer to supply them with
provisions, ut the rates which existed at the
commencement o! tiie war, when the soldier’s
pay was fixed, and to take all the balance of
tiie present price in glory and independence,
Tiie e is not the semblance of justice in the pre
text, that it is the duty of the soldier to serve
his country at these low prices, when every ne
evssary of life, which his family must purchase
has risen five (old in the market. When tho
products of the manufacturer, the goods of tho
merchant, /lie leather of the tanner, the corn
and meat of the farmer, and the wages of every
other class of the community, have incieased
'several fold, what lair and just minded man
can say, that the soldier who makes the
greatest sacrifice of all others, should alone be
made rii exception to the rule?
Another objection urged against the increase
of sobliers’ pay is that it increases the qua *titv
of the currency, by compelling the Government
to issue a larger amount of Treasury notes to
meet the payment, and that this causes still
greater depreciation and higher prices; and it
is couteuded that the Soldier could buy but
little more with twouty-two doll lam per month
lliau he now gets with eleven. Tho same argu
ment might Ikj urged with equal force against
allowing the manufacture! to charge one dollar
per yard for cloth, which he sold tor tea cents
at the lime the act. ivu« passed fixing the sol
diers’ pay; or against permitting the farmer to
charge five dollars per bushel for wheat, which
was then only worth one dollar, or one dol
lar a pound for meat which was then only
worth ten cents; or against peimitting the
mechanic lo charge ten dollars per day, wln-n
lie formerly got but two. All this had its
effect upon the eurruncy, and raised the price
of provisions. But. the price of the provis
ions ured by the soldier's family Iras increased
as much as the price of those used by the man
ufacturer. or Die farmer, ttud the soldier re-
tvires only the price for his set vices which he
got, before the depreciation- began, while all
ot her interests get the benefit of the increase in
*tlie price of labor and material. This cannot
be defended upon any just or equitable prin
ciple. Let all be affected equally by the in
crease of prices, and if the volume of the cur
rency is too largely increased, let it be absorbed
by taxation, which acts equally npon all. 15ut
do not single, out our brave defenders anti
compel thorn to bear all Die burthens of the
depreciation without receiving any of the bene
fits of increased .ciunpensatfoa which ate ai
lowod to ull other cl tsses^
In ray opinion it is tiie duty of the legisla
tures of the several States, to continue to urge
npon Congress a reconsideration of tiie ques
tion, Dtl justice is mote nearly approximated.
1 therefore recommend Die- passage of a joint
resolution by (be General Assembly, Instruct
ing our Senators and requesting our Represen
tatives iu Congress to use all their inlinence
aud energy, to procure the passage of an aet, (o
allow all commissioned ottieeis in tho Confed
erate service an increase of twenty-five per
cent upon their |i«y, aud to allow them rations
in addilibu to the compensation now allowed
by law; and to increase ibe compensation ot
private soldiers. to twenty-two dollars per
month, uud of non commissioned officers in
liko proportion.
(XOTUIXO OAlt TROOPS IN HJOgTICM.
It is the duty of Die Confederate Govern
ment 1 1 furnish all our troops in service with
comfortable clothing ; bru us thus is not al
ways done, it shou.d be the settled determina
tion of the Government and people of this
State, that her sons' in service shall not suffer
for clothing, as long as s'no has the means at
bet coni maul to supply them. The State via
infos no principle and asanmes no unwarranted
poweia, when she clothes l.er naked sons whose
wants are not provided for. Humanity as well
as duty requires this.
Acting upon the projier policy, the Lcgisla
ture at its session last wittier, appropriated sl.
500,000 for this purpose, it was found, how
ever, that the troops suffered much for cloth
i»g, on account ol the delay which was reused
by consumption of time iu debating upon the
appropriation, and the time necessarily taken
after Die bill was passed, before the clothing
could be procured.
1 thought it very desirable that this delay be
avoided in future: and as I had the means at my
command to make purchases for this winter,
though not appropriated with a view to this
specific object, I felt it my duty to make an ef
fort to procure the necessary supply. The
50,000,000 appropriated by act of Lee. 1801,
was a geuera! appropriation for military pur
poses, to be expended at the discretion of the
Governor. A large balance remained unexpend
ed, which under the law, would have reverted
to the Treasury on the Ist day of May, 186;!.
had it not been drawn. On the 26th day of
April, ls'lSi, I directed the Quartermaster Gen
eral < f this State, to draw *>2,OOU,UUO ou the
appropriation, to he expended in the puichase
and luanut&ctuie of clothes and shoes for the
troops, and'for other military purposes, and to
deposit it in the 'Treasury subject to lib draft,
from time to time, as he needed it for the usee
atoresaid. The Quartermaster General has on
hand, besides those already distributed, nearly
forty thousand suits of clothes, which are ready
for distribution among the troops as their ne
ccswries may require. He has l>een unable to
get blankets, and it has been very difficult to
procure shoes. Avery considerable quantity
of raw hides has been purchased, which are
now in tan, and will add to the number of
shoes. For a detailed statement of the sup-.-
plies procured, and distributed, yon are re
spectfully referred to the report of ihe Quar
termaster General. He ha“ been energetic and
attentive, aad has acted with much foresight
and prudence. The stock whirl* he has pur
chased would now command probably k2,000,-
OUO profit, if placed upon the market.
Should the-war last another year, (and we
cannot assume the coutrary,! it will be neces
sary to make further appropriations to secure
clothing for next winter, Ttats should be done
at the present session, to afford time to avail
ourselves of the best market,to and enable uato
be ready to fppiriy the needy and prevent suf
fering. It may be best to make suitable pro
visions for the Importation of part of our future
supplies.
and o meet the demand* likely to be made npon
U* lot- fjr« ;\9Tt yasr I vri-ftuinicn.t Hi* i.p;....,
piL.Uoti of h-2.000.Miwl ns a Clothing T fi
SCCt-OK tOF Sip .11l Fits' i wqi.n >.
It will not only be necessary to clothe ottv
naked troops while they are in the amiy. blit
it is un imperative duty wlii*. h the people of
Georgia owe to them, tosn* Dint their fami
lies do not suffer (or ibe net e-H.vies of.life, in
their fttiscm-e. While C am no advocate . for
supporting them in idleues.q nod bold that it is
the duty of every man. woman ami child in Die
Ntate, übje to wo.k, to labor with all their
strength to support themselves and those de
pendent upon them, 1 know it isimpo sihlc for
a woman , at Die present high price?, of provis
ions, to support herself and children, by her
lalor. Many of our soldiers who arc almost
destitute of property, have responded nobly
to theirYOuntry s call, and have endured an
amount of fatigue, hardship and danger, to
whicli those ftt home arc stmngers; while their
wry * sod children, and the widows and or
phans of the slain, have been supported upon
the rno-t scanty allowance, or let: to gutter for
the necessaries of life. This should Fever lie
so. Onr soldiers from every part of the State,
fight for the protection of the libeitiev of the
whole people, aud the wealth of the whole
State; and 1 hold that it is thrir light to de
mand ot the people and the wealth of Uu*
State, that their wants be supplied while in
camp, aud that such assistance be afforded their
families ftt homo, as may he necessary to save
them from waut of the n -cessuries of life -
This should he done at tho expense of tiie
wealth of the State, if it takes an annual tax
of ten per cent. If it is neglected, the army
must become demoralized, if not disbanded,
and onr liberties and propel ty are nil lost. 1
do not think, in view of the .scarcity of pro
visions and the depreciation of iiie currency,
that less than Jfo.ltbO.OOO will be sufficient; and
1 recommend the appropriation of that sum
for the purpose. 1 also recommend such* han
ges in the mode of disbursing-the fund, as ex
perience in tho different counties urt\ have
shown to be necessary. The system should be
as nearly uniform as |Mi»sibl« in all the coun
ties.
ASaTSTAM’K TO t'OI.NTIKS OVEKIUX BY VIIK EXT MY
Iu addition to the appropriations necessary
for the assistance ot soldiers' families,’ it is ab
solutely necessary that relief lie afforded the
people of Hade, Walker, Catoosa. Chattooga,
and part ot Whilefiebl counties, whose territo
ry Inui been partly ovetrun by the enemy, mid
whose supply of provisions has been almost
entirely consumed by tiie enemy, and by our
own army. The supplied of those people have
either been taken by the common enemy, orbv
our army for the common good. In either case,
it is the duty of tiie whole people of tins State,
to consider the L ss as a common one, und pro
vide assistance from die common treasury.—
Having no other appropriat on at my command
U(a>n whicli l could draw for this purpose, I set
I see apart two thousand dollars of the
contingent fnnd, for the purchase of provis
ions in each of tht counties of Catoosa, Vi’al
ki r and’Chattooga. I was unable lo extend re
lief to the people of Dade, on account of the
impassibility of procuring transportation, us the
enemy hold Chattanooga through which the
railroad [asses to the county. I recommend
liberal appropriations for the relief of tho
people of these counties, manv ot whom must
suffer unless relief is afforded bv tiie State.
PROVISION’ StiFPI.Y.
I feel that I cinnot too earnestly invoke the
attention of the people, and their repreaenta -
tlves, to the importance of looking well to our
future Supply of provisions. This is the only
point, upon wlp'h «e have anything to tear for
the success of our cause. If we can
continue to feed our armies and cjistain
our penple at home* wo can light t?to
enemy for an indefinite period of timet
without tho least danger of subjugation. Bit
should our provision supply full, our auuies
must be disbanded, and all will lie lost. .
The last legislature [Biased an act restricting the
cultivation of cotton to three acres to the hand.
This act needs amendment. No one should lie
allowed to plant, cultivate, or gather more than
one fourth of an acre to the hand, while the
war continues. This, with the quantity unhand,
will keep Heed nnd clothe our people, and wo
should permit no more to he raised. All the
land, labor, and energy of the State, should
he employed in the production of provisions,
and every family, whether rich or poor, should
live upon Lbe eiualiest quantity which wilisus
tain Vile and presmve good hculth. Tin* man
who, btffause he has the means, indulges in
luxuriant abundance is guilty of a crime against
society, as others must sutler on account of biz
indulgence of his appetite or his vanity, when
there is not. a [ lentdiil supply for all.
In the North-eastern part ot onr State, i-s
pecitliy in tin* mountains, tiie crop Os Die
present year ha* been almost a failure, 'the
season has been very unfavorable, and the tan ly
frost lias destnyed a large proportion of what
was being made.
It is believed that thepatgMNitt.and loyalty
of the people of no other pars of the State foo
. been subjected so severe a test as Ins been ap-*
plied in that section. The people own but lew
slaves, and almost the entire productive labor
has been 'called to the militaiy field, leaving a
large population of women and children, u*id
old nieu, to support themselves. This they are
unafile to do with good sea Sons, und wheti
these fail many of them must war ve pules*
they get assistance, 'to add to their eir.har
tassments tho impressing officers of the Lon
federate Government have gone among them,
and taken from them part ot their scanty sup
ply. They have been deprived of moot of
their oxen, whicli were their dependence to
transport foes I from the railroad. In many
owes they have revived insolent treatment.
IVoiu those who have taken tlieir means of
living, under circumstances little bettor than
robbery,
With the ex .’option of the section above
mentioned the (Top has been generally good,
aud it is hoped that bread enough lias been
made to maintain tl e people of the Mute and
tiie anuy upon her border. In addition lo the
difficulties above mentioned, heavy drafts are
made upon our pmilm (ions to support the huge
negro population imported into the State, from
sections of counti v ovenuu by the enemy,
who, after their arrival, hate not been employ
ed In aglioultur il pursuits, or haye uqt been
here long enough to make u crop.
Vfo are also called upon to divide our pro
visions with.a large refugee population of our
fellow citizens lfimi sister .States. These per
sons are generally of the better classes ct so
ciety, intelligent, high toned, ami honorable,
who, on account of the leading positions w hich
they have occupied, und their unyielding de
votion to our cause, have been obliged to leave
their homes uppou the approach of tho armed
legions of tiie enemy, to avoid banishment and
imprisonment. It iving as a das made sacrifices
for Southern independence, to which we are
yet strangers, they ur-i entitled to our highest
respect and most profound sympa by, and we
should, welcome them with warm heart.-*, tli
vide with them as ion > as we have bread, and
be willing to share with lltctn a common fate.
I refer to these facts t > show the heavy de
mands made upon Hie production-; •f.tlie state,
and the great importance "of'exerting every
energy to secure supplies for another year. The
bread question is the question in this contest.
Oilr independence is staked upon our ability
to contiuuo to raise a siitficientjHupply of pro
visio&s to support the army, aud maintain Die
women and children at heme. By the blessing
of Divine Providence wo shall succeed, but to
do it, we must lay aside every production not
necessary to sustain life.
STATE TKOOP.fi
The two regiments of State troops raised un
der the joint resolution of the lust General
Assembly, are now a well organized body of
men, with good arms and equipments. During
the earlier part of the year, they were, at the
request of the Confederate General in com
mand at Savannah, ordered to that point, to
assist iu the protection of that city. While
there, tk« enemy made the first attack upon
Fort Sumter, and an asuanlt upon the city of
Charleston was expected. Believing that they
could then defend Savannah more successfully
at Charleston, they volunteered and wear 10
that place, where they remained tfil the dan- j
ger of attack was passed. lu May. when the
bridges upon the State Road was seriously j
tbreamed by the enemy, they were ordered up
for the defence of the road, where they hate
since remained, and I have been assured by
General Bragg, that they have been of great
service to him in protecting his rear, since the
armv has been near Chattanooga. Atlanta has
been bis base of supplies, anil the destination
of the bridges on the State Koad, would have
destroyed the eflHJßuntatflon between turn arid
Tils rear, tin: General nitisi lmve mi ,t p.ni,.l
his own army to do that, duly, which would
have w«akue I ids force and made liis stece s
more doubifui. fart of Die Siafo troops Were
ordered to U.e Mountains early in tiie year. !o
suppress thnatetyed insurrection, a-id afrest of
| fenders and doiertoM. Tin’s service wasnn
dered in a manner veryeiedihUde to the '.mops
i Detachments from the regiments have lie
| 'ineptly been sent- out during the year to ar
. rest deserters and stragglcis, which service
they havperformed with promptness and es-
ficiency. la ease of a raid into this State, this
force would 1>« of great-service in Iha protec
tion of public and private property, and in re
[idling Die aggressors. No State in tho Goh
federacy, should is* withoiilcuch a tore® during
i the cimUmwTice oi-tbe war, as emergencies
i must frequently arise, whi -li make it iudispen
j saliiv nvoetwaiy that ilu: State'have at her com
' man i a Torre sufficient to suppress slave insitr
! reetic.n, repel incursi uis of tfoe enemy or meet
j other sudden exigencies. l notice that the
| Governor ot South Garoiina has lately convene J
j tiie legislature, and recommended Die organ
j Latina of a similar ton e in that gallant State.
| For more detailed information in reference
i tothe organ: alien find fen ice of the .state
troops, as well us lot information uyon other
miibaiy. subjects,‘ you are referred to the aide
report of Ifcnry U. Way He, Adjutant and In
spector (Itnetal, to which your attention is re
spectfully invited.
MILITARY .U’l’ROl’RlAllow
I revcoramend the appropriation of three mil
lions of dollars as it military fund for the sup
port of the Slate troops, and for other iniHtnr/
pmposses, for the ensuing year
ta nation.
As the appropriations of Die present session
must be’fo-avy to meet Dio public necessities ;
it will he the duty of the legislature to provide
tor raising the money. The currency, both
.state and Confederate, i ; so much deprediated,
that if is extremely unwise to contract debts
at the prices now demanded for all articles
purchased bv the State, and agree to pay, after
the xvar is ended.* when property must, again
be estimated up'.n tho gold hisis. This is tike
borrowing «en cents, and agreeing 10 pay a
dollar iu gold for it after the war is over. No
prudent man would do this in the transaction
of his private business, and no wise sagacious
statesman should do so, in the management re’
the affairs oi the Stale.' The people of the State
can probably pay ten uiiiliontj ot dollars in Dm
present currency, as easily as they could pay
one million alter the war is over, when' /pro
perty has depreciated ten fold in value, ilicu
why aihbour expenditures to our debt 't Noth
ing could lie more unwise.
1 recconiinem! an-l urge upon you to make
an estimate before Die adjournment of the ses
sion, of the nmmomit ape reprinted, and to im
pose a tax sufficient to raise and pay it. There
is not a sensible thrifty man in the State, who
reasons upon the question, who would not pre
, fer this, rather than add the stun appropriated
i io our State do* jt. It is believed, that from
one lo one and a half per cent ujiou the pio
perty > v the Slate, will raise ail that will ha
needed for tiie war. This will lie a nominal
tax compared with tiie present Confederate
tax.
It it should la; necessary to raise money for
use, before the tax can be collected, il is not
doubted. that an arr ngeiuent could lie made
! with cur Banks, fora temporary loan of Die
| amount required upon reasonable terms.
| If (lie (inner 1 Assembly should differ from
i me in this po'icv, and determine to continue
| to increase our d.-hj.ut the present depreciated
rates of currency, thus virtually giving ten
i dollars for one*—i recommend a continuance
of the issue of Treasury notes, or Treasury cer
tificates, to raise all sums appropriated, lor
I which no provision is made by taxation. I
! feel however, tfoo I cannot topearnesUy urge
I'upon von. Iln* importance of imposing asutti
| cieitt tax. It- raise such sums as may be needed.
I This would preserveffbo credit l t Die State and
| [irotcct usand our posterity lrom u heavy
burden, whicli it would at present cost us but
little to avoid.
THE >1 1:P.I NCT.
Without reproducing the argument here, I
i res[iect fully refer thedicner.il Assembly to my
me.-riagu addiered to your predecessors, when
convened in extra session in March last, for my
views upon lids question, so far us they relalo
to the action proper to he taken by the legisla
ture.
The Constilution of Die Confederate Siafi-s
gives that government lull and ample power
| over tin-whole subject matter.of Die (Y.nfeder
ale im rency.
t *reii§s» lias pnv. ei’:
To borrow money on the (-red'd of Die'it’nn
‘fecteriilc-St.it.a
To rf-.ga Ia t o tdiiiroet e« with foreign nations,
and among th i sev't-riil States, and with the In
dian tribes.
'iii e--in money and regulute the value tbeieot.
To provide for Dm punish merit of cOiintei ieit
ing iho Securities uu.t cnilrii*. coin off be Cou
tVnL rate-States.
And to 1 y and c.dlc/ tjnxej, duties, imports
mid ttuxes, tor revenue qeccs3ary to pay Dm
debts, pioyide for the* common defence, and
catry ou the government of tue Confederate
Slnlr*. ,
It is ttoilhy- ol remark, that tlm power is giv
en not only lo Fezul ite commerce, coin money,
and borrow moUt-V. but to impose taxes, fiasifit
npofi pin|s*ri(quality, to an unlimited extent
it|S,n exports; imports, und the individual pro
pel ty, 11 every citizen ot vve.iy State iu the
Confederacy, to pay Die debts, provide for the
common deiV-ncoy and-C orv on the Confederate
Gfiverniiieid.
'l’liO Stales iiuviifg delegated to tile Confed
erate Guvei indent these vn-t anil uu limit e>l
poweia over ibe* public debt, and the means of*
juoviding ibr its [caymeut. should leave the
management of the Confederate firialu eiand
the responsibilities tiicrewith connected, where
the Comditiition 'leaves them.
An offer by llier-States. u> States, to inteifere
actively with tho Coiifcdcnitc finances: oraie
quest i.y the finanoiil office's ot the Confadera
ey, that the'Sh-tes do so infoifere, by.endorsing
Die bonds of that' Govcifimeut; or bv loaning
tbeii: bonds .to ft, to t>e cold in the matket to
purchase its own i :u. s at depreciated rates,
when the States havey’elegated the full, ample
and exclusive management of Ill’s matter to
the Con ted crate Government. is u virtual decla
ra ion that the government is.u luiliPe; or that
the office re, entrusted \,itli this branch of the
government are incompetent to tho task of r*-
tablishiug it wise tiir.incia! system, unworthy of
public confidence, and deserve to lie superceded
by men wlio have financial ability, aud practi
cal stvtesuiansiiip, to discharge the duties itn
preed by thd Constitution an 1 laws npon them.
I am not prepared to make Ibis charge ; if i
were i woiikl-say that a change of adminiatia
tion in thia department, and u t the inaugura
tion ot a patchwork policy by which the States
art? railed upon to discharge the duties of the
Con federate officers on account of their inc< m
petem y would ho a proper remedy’, l.et the
State aud Confederate Government eflclt move
.within the sphere assgned it by the Constitu
tion: and h-i-adi be responsible to tbe people
lot the faithful discharge ot the I nett reposed
In it. When either . Uriel takes to .discharge
the duties aiiii ii properly per ainio lire other,
it not oulv takes ii -pousibililivs fiql its ow n,
but it assu res the inr onipeteuey ot Ibe other.
But it may be said that, State credit is worth
more than Confederate credit in the maiket,
and if tbe States will issue fitly millions of dol
lars of theii bonds ami loan them to the Con
federacy, it can purchase sixty-five millions of
its outstanding issues, and thus make fifteen
millions "of dollars.
It. is not denied t hat the Confederacy by turn
inr. broker of its otVii hills, might make some
money by such an operation, so long as the red
j alive difference between State arid Confederate
i credit could be maintained. But it must beap
| parent to-all. that this speculation would be
! overbalanced by the iocs of character: and of
1 the confidence of tho public, in the ability of a
I Government, which would resort to such an ex-
I pedient, cier to establish aDd maintain a wise
: financial system of its turn. The speculation
made by such a transaction could have littla
or no influence in regulating the currency. In
stead Os increasing public confidence jn Confed
erate credit, it would do much to destroy it, a4
it would be ao implied acknowledgement of im
becility and on the part of those
responsible for the management ol the Confed
erate finances.
If the war lasts a few months longer, it will
require the proper management of billions, not
millions of dollars, to regulate the currency
and sustain public credit. Suppose in place of
li-fry millions the States should issue their bonds