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thoroughfare, and will be during I lie*
war a great military necessity. The
destruction of two or three of these
bridges over the large streams, might
not only cause great derangement ol
the businessol the Hoad and great in
convenience to the traveling public, but
might so delay military movements as
to cause the loss of an important viclo
ry. The expense to the State ol
keeping np a sullicient guard, is incon
siderable when compared with lhe_ob
jeef, arid I shall feel it my duty to con
tinue these troops in service, unless
otherwise directed by the General As
sembly. The only question with me.
is, whether the two companies should
not be increased to two regiments, and
thoroughly armed, equipped and train
ed and kept constantly in I he service
of the Stale till the end of the war. Sd
large a number of our arms-beanng
men have gone from the State into
Confederate service, that we cannot
feel entirely secure against internal
troubles from servile insurrection, and
even two regiments of well armed anil
thoroughly disciplined troops- at the
command of the State government,
might, in such event, be the mentis
of preventing scenes of massacre and
misery, too appalling to contemplate.
Should you think proper, by resolution
or otherwise to direct such organiza
tion, it would meet; my cordial approv
al, and! should lose no time in carry
ing your decision into practical ope
ration.
Frequent complaints have been made
to me that an association of persons,
unfriendly to our government and cause,
has been formed iu the North-eastern
portion of our state, and that the mem
bers of the association, probably some
fifty to one hundred iu number, to avoid
military service, have concealed them
selves in the mountains and live by
plundering the citizens whose homes
are near their lurking places. The
State owes it to her citizens to afford
them all the assistance in her power to
protect them against these inroads.—
Should an organization of the charac
ter recommended, be formed, a portion
of it might be cavalry, which might he
used to scour the mountains tor the
protection of the inhabitants, or be
thrown upon the coast, or into such
other part of the State, as the securi
ty of the people might require.
Distillation.
After our communication had been
cut off by the enemy, and we could no
longer get supplies of provision from
Tennessee and Kentucky, it was soon
discovered that we had none to spare,
and it was doubted whether there was
enough of grain iu the State to answer
ali the demands for bread. The sup
ply of Western whiskey had however
been cut off, as well as the supply of
provisions, and the demand for that
article increased till distillation was com
menced at a rate that would, in the
course of the Spring and early part of
the Summer, have consumed all the
grain that could have been purchased,
and increased the price to an extent
that must have put it out of the power of
the poorer classes of our people, and
especially the families of poor men
who were in the army to get bread.—
These facts were made known to me
from different putts of the- Slate, and
earnest appeals were made for such
action as would protect our people
against this great wrong. After ma
ture reflection, 1 was satisfied that it
was my duly to exercise all the pow
er i possessed to check the evil. The
only question was as to my constitu
tional power to act. There could be
iso doubt that I had the power to take
private property for public use, and as
we were hard pressed by a powerful
enemy, and needed all the ordnance
and ordnance stores we could com
mand, and as the stills were made ot
copper which could he used in the
manufacture of field artillery, 1 issued
my proclamation ordering the militia
officers of the State to seize the Still of
any person in the State who should
continue distilling sifter the loth day
of March. While there were doubt
less ctjses in which the proclamation
was evaded, and while some military
oificers may have failcdo&iiihfully to
discharge their duty, the evil was in
the main checked, and bread was
saved to our people.
The proclamation only prohibited
distillation till the meeting of the Gene
ral Assembly, and 1 now submit the
question for your consideration. While
it is hoped we may have a plentiful
supply of corn for the use of the peo
ple of the Stale, and can spare some
lor the army, we do not know what
may be the* vicissitudes of war, and it
is certainly the duty of the Statesman,
at such a crisis, to do all in his power
to so husband the blessings of Provi
dence, as to prevent suffering and se
cure a supply of food for the people.—
1 therefore respectfully recommend the
passage of a statute prohibiting the
distillation ol grain into alcohol or ar
dent spirits, except under sufficient
restrictions lor mechanical and medi
cal uses, till the end oftlio present war.
I think this legislation is demanded
alike by an enlightened public opinion,
and by the exigencies of the times.
Since my proclamation I have per
mitted persons having contracts with
the Confederate Government to manu
facture necessary supplies ol alcohol
and whisky for the army, but I have
fonrd it very ditlicull to prevent abus
es of this privilege, and 1 recommend
that the terms upon which it shall in
future be granted be accurately defin
ed by law, and that Government tiianu-
tactorics be confined to one, or a lew
localities so that this State shall not
have to bear more than her just part of
the burden of furnishing from her
grain, the ardent spirits claimed to be
necessary for the use of the army of
the Confederate States.
J have reason to believe that goveri -
tneiit contractors have been through
the Stale sub-letting their contracts,
and getting whiskey made at a much
lower price than that paid them by the
Government. This speculation should
not be permittedi but the Government
should be authorized to locate its distil
(eries at such points imy .select.
and there by its agents to make Geor-' privations of camp life, their families
should be supplied, if need be, at the
public expense, with such of the nec
essaries oflMe as their labor will irot
uffofd liginlcost t^e Slate what it may.
Tin; money-could be laisedin-the mam
nerabove recommended''withoutserious
burden to the people of the Stale, as a
large part of the freight on the State
Itoad is paid by speculators of this
and other States, who, il their com
modities were shipped for nothing,
would still charge the highest prices
for all they sell. The tax of thirty-
three and a third per cent, upon the in
comes of those who have been specu
lating upon the necessaries of life would
he just and proper, and would compel
them to appropriate part of their gains
to the benefit of our cause. Many of
them are making large fortunes hy ta
king advantage of the necessities of
the poor and needy, and will do noth
ing for the public good unless they are
compelled bylaws too stringent to be
evaded.
We need not attempt to close our
eyes to the stern reality, The success
of our cause depends upon the gallant
ry and endurance of our troops. They
cannot fight unless they and their fami
lies can be supplied with at least the
necessaries of life. The wealth of the
country must come to their relief, and
contribute whatever the exigencies
may require. The question of each
property holder to consider is, whether
he will give up part for the protection
of the balance, or withhold the neces
sary contribution and lose the whole.
Exemption of Soldiers from Taxation.
In the consideration of the hardships
and privations endured by our soldiers
in service, and the necessities of the
families of many of them, 1 recommend
the enactment of a law exempting all
soldiers while in the service from the
payment of poll tax. I also recom
mend the exemption of one thousand
dollars of the property of each soldier
from all taxation during his continu
ance in service. Large numbers of
our troops have not more than one thou
sand dollars worth of property each.—
This is all needed for the comfort of
their families in their absence, anti
should be exempt from the burdens of
taxation. Those who have more than
one thousand dollas should only be
required to pay on the balance beyond
that sum.
I think it just that the wealth of the
State and those who remain in the en
joyment of home comforts, many of
whom are accumulating fortunes by
speculation, should bear the burden of
the taxation necessary to the support of
the Government, and the families of
those who meet the enemy on the
field of battle.
Clothing for the Georgia Troops
Information of the most authentic
character lias been received from the
army, which verities the report that
many of the Georgia troops in Confede
rate service are almost destitute of
clothes and shoes, and must suffer ter
ribly this winter, if speedy relief is not
afforded. This suffering should never
be permitted by the people of the State
as long as we arc able to raise a dollar
for their relief. 1 have recommended
the Georgia Relief and Hospital Asso-
gia’s part for what it needs for •liodict-
nal uses and no more.
Sularitsof Public Oficcrs.
I recommend the Salary of every
public officer in Georgia, which is *#ix-
ed by law, where there is no constitu
tional prohibition, including the fees of
the officers of the Courts, he increased
fifty per cent, arid that the Judges be
all placed on an equality as they stood
prior to your last session, before the
fifty per cent is added, so as to give all
the Judges of each Court the same
compensation. Produce, clothing, gro
ceries, medicins, and all the necessa
ries of life used by a family, have risen
in the market to an average of at least
five times as much as they cost when
the fees and salaries of public officers
were fixed by law. The depreciation
of the currency and the scarcity of the
supply ol most of these necessaries,
have united to produce this result.—
The public officer now receives the
same number of dollars in currency
which he formerly received in gold,
and can purchase with it only one
fifth as much of the necessaries of life.
I do not propose to add five hundred
per cent to the present salaries, which
would place the public officer in as
good a condition as he was before the
war, but 1 propose to add only fifty
per cent, and let him lose the four
hundred and fifty, as his part of the
burden imposed by the war. I think
the most parsimonious citizen of the
Stale cannot deny the justice of this
proposition, nor contend that the pub
lic officer shall lake all the burden
without any of the compensation result
ing from the present high prices. This
increase should include the pay of the
members and officers of the General
Assembly as well as other public ser
vants, if the Constitution will permit,
and I think it does. In making this
recommendation, I cannot be justly
chargeable with interested motives, as
my own salary, though not worth as
much as one thousand dollars was
when 1 first went into office, cannot,
under a provision of the Constitution,
be either increased or diminished du
ring my term in offiee. This, however,
furnishes no sufficient reason why oth
ers should suffer injustice. The far
mer gets for most of the articles which
lie produces, from thaee to five times
as much as formerly ; the manufactu
rer and merchant do the same on their
productions and stock in trade. The
pay of the public officer in his living ;
or ifyou will allow the expression, his
crop. Wy, then, should he alone l»c*
confined to the old prices for his in
come and he compelled to pay the in
creased prices for all he has to pur
chase? Il is not just people will not
require i: ! .
The Families of our Soldiers in Service.
The remarks made in reference to
Lhe high prices of the necessaries of
life, apply to the families of our noble
troops, who, by their gallant deeds,
have illustrated the character of our
State on the battle.fi* Id, and rendered
their names immortal on a brilliant his
toric page. These heroic citizen sol
diers have till recently received but
$ L L per mouth from the Government
as wages. The act of Congress, pass-
ut its late session, as reported hy the
newspapers, raises the wages of the
private and non-commissioned officer
iour dollars per month. Many of these
privates arc poor men, who have left
behind them large families dependent
upon theirown exert ions lor a livelihood.
They may be oblige to expend part of
their wages in camp for iinlespensible-
arlicles, but if they arc not, and send
it all back, it affords llieii loved ones
at home a most meagre subsistence at
the pi esc ill prices' of provisions and
clothing. Some of the wealthier coun
ties, under an act of the last session,
are providing amply for the -wants of
the soldiers’ families, while others are
not able, without an oppressive lax, to
render the large number within their
limits much assistance. In this stale
of things, I think it proper that the
wealth of the whole State when neces
sary, be compelled to contribute to the
wants of soldiers’families in all parts
of the Slate, \*o need assistance. I
therefore recommend that the State
provide, by general appropration, a
bounty of otic hundred dollars for the
family of each soldier from this State
iu service for the war, or who may
hereafter enter the service for a like
pciiod, whose property when last giv
en in by him on the tax book, was
worth less than one thousaud dollars,
ami the like sutn for each widow of a
deceased soldier and for each widow
who has a sou or sons in service, or
who has lost u son in service. And J
further recommend, that the whole net
proceeds of the Western He Atlantic
Railroad for the ensuing year be appro
priated to pay the bounty, and that
freights 1 ie increased for that purpose
twenty-live per cent, upon present pri
ces, and that each person in this state
who has been engaged in any kind of
speculation, in any of the necessaries
of life, be taxed thirty-three and one-
third per cent, upon the net incomes of
his speculation, to raise the balance of
the fund* The oath of the tax-payer
should be so amended as to compel
each to state on oath the income of his
speculation, and a heavy penalty should
be provided against any one who
swears falsely. 1 also recommend,
that the Governor of the Slate he au
thorized to raise the money to meet
the payment of this bounty by nego
tiating a temporary loan at five, per
cent, to be paid to the creditors so soon,
as the money is paid into the Treasu
ry hy the State road ami Tax Collec
tors. The act should provide for the
the appointment of one or more prop
er persons in each county to receive
the money for the families and sec that
it is properly applied iu the purchase
ofsueh supplies as are actually nec
essary for the comfort of’ each laujijy,
and should provide a heavy |>enalty
against any one who shall misapply
the funds due a soldici’s family, or
speculate directly or indirectly upon
the bounty money. While they are
absent, enduring all the hardships and
ciation to draw and expend for clothes
and shqes for the most destitute, the
remaining portion of the appropriation
which they have not had occasion to
use for hospital purposes, not doubling
that such an application of the money
would meet your cordial approval.—
They have done much, but there is still
much more to be done.
To meet the emergency, I recom
mend the passage of a joint resolution
of the two Houses, at the earliest day
pos-.ible, authorizing the Governor of
this .Slate, if satisfactory arrangements
cannot be made with the proprietors,
to seize all the factories and tanneries
in this State and to appropriate their
whole products to this use, till a good
pair of shoes and a good suit of clothes
are furnished to every Georgia soldier
in service who needs the assistance.—
l do not know that the Confedeiate
Government would pay for the supply
thus furnished. If not the State is able
to give these necessary articles to her
brave sons who are suffering for them,
and her people should not hesitate a
moment to do it. It would not be nec
essary to keep the possession of the
factories and tanneries long, as the
winter’s supply could soon be made.—
The resolution should fix the price per
yard to be paid for cloth, the price per
pound to be paid for leather, and the
price to be paid for shoes if found ready
made. As no authority was given me
at your last session to expend money
to furnish necessaries for the troops iu
Confederate service, l have not fell
authorized to make the seizures now
recommended, tili you have given your
sanction to the proposed action.—
The cold part of the winter is fast
approaching, the climate of Vir
ginia and Kentucky is severe, and 1
think humanity, as well us justice to
our fellow citizens under arms, requires
prompt action.
Colton mid Provisions.
While cotton has long been the great
staple production of the State of Geor
gia and several other Stales >1 the Con
federacy, we have been accustomed to
draw a large portion of our supplies of
provisions from tlie Western States.
In tlic; present condition of the country
this is no longer possible. Our ports
arc blockaded and we cannot import
from abroad* We are therefore left to
depend upon ourselves for the produc
tion of a supply sufficient for our pco
pie at home and our army. We have
the ability to make this supply, if all
our labor, except enough to make cot
ton for home consumption, is employed
m the production of grain and other
articles used to sustain life. But so
large a proportion of our laboring men
will be under arms during the euseiug
year, that we cannot probably do more
than this* Without a supply of provi
sions it is impossible to sustain our ar*
my iu the field and prevent the enemy
fr«u» triumphing over us. Tins ques
tion, then, hecones one of the most vi-
| lal importance, one upon which no! the
“national life” but the lives of our peo
ple and the cause of the Confederacy de
pend. The price which cotton now
brings in the market, presents the
strongest temptation to the planter to
produce a large crop. And it is leered
that without the restraining Influence of
prohibitory legislation, much of our land
atul labor will be employed in its pro
duction next year. The conduct of the
planters of this Stale during the present
year has generally been alike commend
able and patriotic. But few have pro
duced large crops of cot ton. The fact
must not he overlooked,however,that the
price was low last spring and the temp
tation very small in compaiisou with
that now presented.
While our ports are blockaded, we
cannot make useful, more than is re
quired to clothe our own people. Then
why produce it, and lay it up in store
to tempt the enemy to penetrate the in
terior of our country to obtain it ? Or
why keep it for the benefit ot commer
cial nations after we have achieved our
independence ? They have left us at a
most critical period to take care of our
selves. Why, then, should we not
leave them to feed their own starving
operatives till such time as it is com
patible with our public interest to pro
duce the supply of cotton, without
which they must number their paupers
by millions, and support them bv taxa
tion? The States can regulate this
production hy the exercise of their tax
ing power. There has, I believe, nev
er been a tax act in Georgia, from the
earliest period of the Stale government
to this day, which did not discriminate
between different kinds of property and
tax some one higher than another.
When the power of discrimination is
admitted, the extent of its exercise is
dependent upon the discretion of the
Legislature. The power to discrimi
nate has not only been admitted in this
Slate, but the practice has been uniform
in its exercise. I therefore recommend
the enactment of a law imposing a tax
of one hundred dollars upon each quan
tity of seed cotton, sufficient to make a
bale of four hundred pounds of picked
cotton produced next year upon all ex
cess over what is actually necessary for
a home supply. Beyond such supply,
production should only be permitted
upon the payment of a tax which
renders it unprofitable to the avari
cious.
1 make no recommendation for the
imposition of a tax upon the crop of the
{last year, for the reason that the Legis
lature had not in advance notified the
people of the State of the necessity
which must induce a change of policy
in the taxation of this staple production.
As the law upon the Statute Book ex
empted the growing crop from taxation
when planted, and as many of our plant
ers were absent, from the State in mili
tary service and had hut little opportu
nity to look to their crops or other home
interest^, it would seem to be improper,
by retroactive legislation, to load it
with a heavy tax when gathered. Our
policy should he made known in ad
vance, that each citizen, when he plants
his crop, may know what the Slate
will require on the production when
made.
II cstern if Atlantic Railroad.
For the operations of the Western Sc
Atlantic Railroad during the past fiscal
year, you are referred to the Report of
its faithful Superintendent. It will be
observed thai the Road is now out of
debt, so far as the existence of any just
claim against it is ascertained. It has
paid into the Trearury of the State four
huud red and forty thousaud dollars out
of net earnings for the past year, and
there was due the Road on tiie JOtli
September last, £-377, 804 7b from the
Confederate Government for transpor
tation of troops and military stores.
Payment has been demanded, but not
made, the Secretary of the Treasury
insisting that we should receive Confed
erate bonds. This 1 have declined to
do, on the ground, that there is no law
of the Slate authorizing the Superin
tendent to receive bonds and pay them
into the Treasury ; and on the further
ground* that it is not the policy of the
Stale, while she is in debt, to invest in
the bonds of any other State or govern
ment. I have therefore demanded
Confederate Treasury notes which pass
as currency, and can be used by the
State in payment of her own indebted
ness and her current expenses. I trust
the claim may be paid without much
further delay.
The Road bed is in excellent condi
tion, and I have at my command the
means to keep it so. 1 was so fortunate
last winter as to be able to purchase
eleven hundred tons of new railroad
bar at fifty dollars per ton. This iron
is now worth in the market at least one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars
more than T paid for it. I was not the
legal purchasing agent of the Road, and
it iron had fallen as much as*it has ris
en, il is quite probable there might
have been loud complaints, had I insist
ed that the Road take the Iron. 1 have,
however, given the Road the benefit of
the contract, which is worth to the State
the sum above mentioned. I could sell
the iron at any time, and, after refund
ing the sum paid for it, could pay into
the Treasury of the State one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars as balance of
proceeds of the sale.
Since J was first inaugurated as
Governor of ihe State, the Road has
paid into the State Treasury SI ,948,000,
and has paid $302,OSl 07 in satisfac
tion of debts and unliquidated demands
for which it was then liable. It is now
in as good condition in every respect
as it then was, v ith the exception of the
rolling stock, which has not been kept
up as well as usual for the last two
years, on account of the impossibility
of procuring, at any price, pa rt of the
material used in construction and re
pairs. The amount due the Road from
the Confederacy is, however, more
than double, the sum that would be
required to make the repairs com
plete.
Upon the application of the military
authorities of the Confederate States,
they have frequently been permitted to
lake our cars and engines and carry i
them on other Roads, to such points us|
emergencies might require,
merited General Albert Sidney Johns- force is kept
ton had ordered a large number of our *' ' J
cars upon tlie Memphis Sc Charleston
Road, a short lime before the battle of
Shiloh, which, on account of the posses
sion of that Road by the enemy, have
not been returned. At this and other
I>oinls we have lost ISO cars while in
Confederate service. Should they nev
er be returned, it is expected that the
Confederacy will pay for them just
compensation.
Defend^ ot Savannah.
I have been informed by the Milita
ry Commander at Savannah that it is
intended to make a defence of the city
“to extremity,” and he requests assist
ance from the State, in the removal ol
the womon and children and other non-
combatants from the city. In view of
the fate of New Orleans and other cities
which have been surrendered to the
enemy, l cordially endorse and approve
this resolution of the Confederate Gen
eral. Let us hold the city as long as a
house or a brick wall is left standing,
behind which our troops can fight; and
let the State assume the loss occasioned
by the destruction of property, or at
least divide it with the sulferers.
It will be necessary that food and
shelter be provided for such of the non-
combatants as are unable to take care
of themselves, us soon as possible, that
they may be removed in advance of
the attack. I therefore recommend an
early appropriation of two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars for this purpose.
The la- lion loathe militia^ that a regular armpd
Constantly
State University
In compliance with the statute, I
herewith transmit the report of the
Trustees of the University for the past
year.
Penitentiary and Asylums.
For a statement of the condition of
the Penitentiary and Asylums of the
State, you are referred to the respect
ive reports of the principals in charge.
It will be seen by reference to the re
port of Col. James A. Green, the Prin
cipal Keeper of the Penitentiary, that
he has paid into the State Treasury, ten
thousand dollars ot net profits for the
past fiscal year. Col. Green’s able
and faithful management of the Insti
tution is entitled to high commen
dation.
Obstructions of our Rivers.
It is said the enemy are preparing
gun-boats of light draught to ascend our
livers, and plunder our inland towns
and cities, while the waters are high in
the winter season. This can probably
be prevented in no other way so effect
ually as by the obstruction of our
streams. Most of them can be entire
ly obstructed by telling the limbei
which stands upon the banks into the
channel oftlio stream. It may, how
ever, be very difficult at the end of the
war to remove tiiese obstructions and
restore the navigation of the river.
As a Confederate General, who is an
Engineer of the first order of ability and
acquirements, is in command of the
Military Department which embraces
this State, I have thought it best to
leave the matter entirely in his hands
till your meeting.
The question as to the best means of
defence, in the absence of any action
by the Confederate authorities, is an im
portant one well deservingyourserious
consideration. I doubt not that the
legislative department of the State Gov
ernment participates in the regret felt
by*the Executive, that the Confederate
authorities have done no more tor the
defence of the Stale, when so large a
proprrlion of her militia have left her
limits aud gone into' Confederate ser
vice, as to leave her almost powerless
for her own protection.
Military Organization of the State.
The efforts which our relentless foe
has proclaimed to the world, that it is
his purpose soon to make, in violation
of all rules of civilized warfare, to in
cite servile insurrection among us, not
unnaturally create serious concern in
the mind of every Georgian. So large
a number of our armshearing men have
already gone into the military service
of the Confederacy, ami so many more
may soon be required, that we have
comparatively a small number left in
each county, and in some localities
where the slave population is very large
scarcely enough to direct their labor
remain with them. Those who remain
have generally given up all their best
arms to those who have gone, and they
are now nearly destitute of arms or
ammunition. Our women and children
are therefore, left at home almost en
tirely without protection. In this con
dition of our people, a general insurrec
tion cveu at the most exposed points,
might be productive of scenes of misery
and horror which no language can des
cribe. To provide every means poss
ible for the prevention of this terrible
calamity, is the highest obligation of ev
ery Georgian, and the imperative du
ty of every representative of the
people, instead therefore, of permitting
our military organization to be disband
ed at this critical moment, I recom
mend the enactment ofsueh laws as will
protect every military and other State
officer in his position, and compel him
to discharge his duties, or submit to
heavy penalties, lulso recommend an
extension of our State militia laws sous
to embrace all persons between sixteen
and sixty years of age, who are able to
perform service in their respective mili
tia districts and counties; and that the
best provision possible be made to arm
at least a portion of the militia of each
county most exposed to danger. As ilis
not possible to procure a sufficient sup
ply of fire-arms for this purpose, I re
commend that provision be made to
arm as many as possible with good
pikes and knives. As ttic
would not be able to procure many
guns, pikes and knives in the hands of
the militia might in the absence of bet
ter arms, be made very serviceable in
defence of our homes till the armed
regiments, which I have recommended
to be kept in service of the State could
be thrown to the point attacked, or men
aced with attack. If it were generally
known among our slaves that these pre
cautions had been used, and, iu addi-
to pay all cost upon it.
. - - „ . Il wiU probably
be necessary to sell tlie balance at alo^
five dollars per bushel, to make it pay a |i
costs and charges. By tlie adoption of thi
plan, all who purchase are taxed sou e *
of the soldiers*
have bad each
above men-
tiling lor the assistance
families and widows who
ona»half bushel on the terms
tioned.
in the next distribution, each c iti 2e
will only be permitted to receive on”
rfcady to b<
thrown rapidly fpontheni, should they
become ihsubordjngt^ l cannot doubt
thit a'salutary efbcMvoukl be produc
ed* It might also J»e wise to provide
for a mounted^ police in each of .the
counties most exposed, to be kept as a
volunteer company, ready for service
at a moment’s call, to drill once a week
and each member to receive a reason- ynsbel, till all have received some 'relief
aWe compewsjrtwn semces- tm The soldiers' families needing k ovsr one.
the day of drill. j ^ )a ^ bushel will be allowed tbe preferen Ce
Gcor,;. Military Institute. \ SZ'UgTZ
It affords me much pleasure to state family will need little more than the w/
that this valuable„State Institution has which they receive under tbe fi r , t
been in a prosperous condition during distribution. Those baying more [means,
the past year. Manv more cadets were i cai .‘ ador ;, J to P a > T fh® prices paid by other
offered than the Buildings would ac-: for what tbe ^ need 0Ter the half.
commodate. I respectfully recommend “n “affords me much pleasure, in this con
an appropriation, ot fifty thousand del- nection, to state, that a company 0 fW
lars to be used for the erection ol the ne- otic citizens having its office in Trou
cessary buildings, the improvement of county, and another in Augusta, have otf
the goounds, and for such'othcr purpo-^ tained privilege to make salt at the Vir-
ses, as the board may find indispensable S inia Works, and are now turning out
to the permanent establishment of the: J lai ^ a | ar g« quantity. The State is m «k-
Institution upon a solid basis. "I s o0 ? 11 bushe,s P er ,ia ?’ a " d tlius ® «m,p a .
17 7 r „ r mes Wl11 soo: > average each that quantity
Adjutant and Inspector General. daily. They propose first to supply thenf-
The report of the Adjutant and In- selves, and then to sell to the citizens of
spector General, of this Stale with the! tbe State wi hout speculation. Tlie State
accompanying documents, which give ai and eacb V 1 n>Pse companies has had much
full and sufficiently detailed account of 1 , cli ^ in PfF* cllr > n g t!l ® necessary labor
*r * i . i i an( * material to put their works into «,»
the oHicial transaction , anti expen,!,- ce6sful ope ,. ation . P T his .life,,!.,
tures connected with that Department,; overcome, however, after some delay
together with valuable suggestions up-j which wc would gladly have avoid-’
on the military organization the State, is ed. I feel that I should fail to do my du-
herewith transmitted. ty were 1 not to state in this connection
General Wayne was the first man | l ^ at people, of this State owe much
who responded to the call of his State, • gratitude to Hon. B. II. Bigham, who i«
when the dissolution of tlie Union was j a membur }’ 0ur b<>d - v ’ ‘" r his great ener-
seen to he inevitable, and resigned r.t an aptlvlt 7 as 1 *, e resident of the
an honorable and comfortable position a t the workT-iud sunerinteflTd*' tbne
i at ttie woiks a id supenntended in person
in the army of the United States to cast an d has rendered very valuable service to’
his lot with his native land, arid share the company and to the State.
her fortunes whether for weal or for The Railroad Companies of the State
woe. From that day to the present time have promptly responded to a request made
uo one lias labored more incessantly or by me, that they carry the State’s salt to
zealously, to secure the safety,and pro-! ** ,e depots ot deposit, and thence to the
mole the prosperity anti glory of |, i4 ; d«l»t of a»tnb».i.a f„r eacl
mother Stale. His InhorS connected ' ent.tles
b citizen free
them to the
. . . tie thanks of tlie whole people. I have or.
with our military organizations, both forUered-lhat the State salt, tbe salt made
fctate and Confederate service, have I by the two companies from this State, and
been invaluable ; and while he has al all salt purchased at the works by persons
ways shown the self-sacrificing dispo- j or comity associations for their own use,
silion which is seen in his report, no in-; when no speculation is intended, be car-
telligent Georgian, acquainted with the j r ‘ ed ^ ree °* charge over the State Road.
duties of his office, and its impoitance, ; .4 s . n< ’ "PP ro ! ,r, ~ atI '°? had been made
winch could be used iu carrying out my
would willingly consent to dispense
with his services, during the existence
of the war.
AppropriationJor Military Purposes.
To meet any expenditures which it i be necessary that the money be refunded
may become indispensable to make for! to im 4° CII , au e i mn t0 «-eep his accounts
the defence of the State, and the protec
tion of our homes during the ensuing
contract for the \ irgiuia salt, 1 ordered
the Treasurer of the W. & A. Railroad to
advance to the Commissary General suffi
cient funds to meet tbe necessity. It will
correctly. For this purpose. I recommend
the appropriation ot one hundred thousand
- . . dollars to be used in the purchase of salt
year, I recommend the appropriation ot and refunded to the Treasury of the State
three millions of dollars as a military! when the Salt is‘old.
fund. I trust the action of those respon- Within the last few days Messrs. Graves
sible during past year, will be received, an( t Goldsmith have proposed to devote
as a sufficient guaranty that no more ofi their whole energies to the importation of
ill be used than the exigen-i sadt ! nt .° f *l ie ^? tate * 10 ™ l * lp Iu ‘ ue a t A’evr
service may require. ! J bena ' 11 Lo " :slana * \^ey do not propose
to sell the salt on speculation, but wish ou
tlie fund vvi
eies of the service may
This
Small Pox. ly compensation for their efforts aud ex-
dangerous disease has made its penses. I have agreed to pay them 87 -30
If the enemy do not interrupt the trans
portation, it is hoped their patriotic efforts
will be attended by successful results.
4 pon this subject it only remains for
me to express my deep regret at the course
lately taken by tbe Legislature of the
State of \ irgfnia- As above stated, no
appearance in several places in our J P e J’. bQsLel of fifty pounds for ajl they will
State. Soldiers who have been expos
ed to it without their knowledge, are
occasionally returning home on furlough
and there is danger that it may spread
and become a great scourge.
As our people are too carelass
about adopting the necessary pre
ventive, I recommend such legislation' contract was made with the proprietors of
ns will secure the earlv vaccination of ^ ie sa b works in that State, till alter the
all persons in the State subject to the a Jj™ r >unent of the Legislature, which in
• • 1 * extra session had taken tue question of a
(ilbCclSC* 1 1» J, • . • .
supply ot salt into its consideration, and
Salt. bad adjourned without having taken any
Messrs. Stotesberry and Humphries, of action, so far as I am informed, indicating
Scriven county, complied with the terms a purpose to seize the works. Feelingtbat
prescribed by tbe act passed at your last ses- I then had a perfect right to contract with
sion, on the subject of the manufacture of tbe proprietors, I entered into the engage-
salt,jafter giving a mortgage on sullicient meuts which I have mentioned with them,
property, aud drew $10,000 of the appropri- and have bad large expenriirures made in
ation. 1 am uot aware of any active efforts accordance with the contract. The two
made by them to any considerable extent to companies from this 8tate, with my ap-
make salt. Underthe circumstances, they proval, acted iu like manner, and liaveex-
should either proceed with the business or pended large sums i?i preparing to make
refund the money which, under the law, salt, not for speculation, but for home sup-
they hold without the payment of interest, ply. Other .States also followed the ei-
Fiiidinz that the money pTaced at my ample of Georgia. I am not aware, how-
cointnand by tbe act would be wholly iu- ever, that tiie State ot Virginia made, or,
adequate, and that but little could be ex ' till a late period, attempted to make a con-
peeted under the provisions of this statute, tract with tlie proprietors of tbe works for
I felt it uiy duty to take the responsibility the piivilego to make salt on State ac
to make such arrangements as in my judg- count. About the time tbe works of this
meut would do most to secure a supply of State and of other States were going :nto
this indispensable article to our people. ’ successful operation, the Legislature of
Tbe Virginia Salt Works in Sinvtlie and that honored commonwealth met again in
Washington counties, were believed to be extra session, and finding that the people
the resumes most to be relied upon. The of \ irginia were in need of salt, authoriz-
Legislature of that State held an extra ed the Governor, in case of necessity, if
session early iu the summer, aud deter other resources failed, to seize the works
mined not to purchase or lease those works, 1 of tbe other sister States withiu her tor-
but to leave them in the hands of tbe pro- ders. This seizure, if made, takes trom
prietors. Immediately after the adjourn-, tbe families of Georgia soldiers now in A ir-
merit of the session, I sent Hon. John W. ginia, defending the homes of the people
Lewis (who tendered his services without of that State more immediately than their
compensation, at his own expense) to the own, all hope of getting salt in time to
works, as the agent of this State. While! prevent great suffering. This is not au
there, he succeeded in closing a contract' appeal to N irginia to furnish to oar sol-
witli the proprietors for the use <’>f water' diers’ families that which she has made,
and priv ilege to make 500 bushels of salt; but it is an appeal to her to act in good
per day. This was the greatest quantity laitb, and not take from them that which
lie could at that time procure privilege to | the State of Georgia has made w ith her
make. He also employed Maj. M. S. Tem-; own capital and labor. If Virginia shordu
pie, of Fast Tennessee, to manufacture ! make ttie seizure under the circumstances,
the Salt for the State. The whole cost her conduct will, in iny opinion, be incon-
to the State of each bushel of fifty I sistent with tbe character of the “Mother
pounds is one dollar and fifty cents, of States.”
when weighed from the kettles. We have i So soon as I saw the act of the Legist*'
to receive the salt as it is made, before it! ture of that State in tbe newspapers, 1
is thoroughly dry, and it loses about one- dressed a letter to Ilis Excellency Go>.
fifth in drippage aud wastage by tbe time j Letcher, upon the anbject, a copy of whic
it reaches Atlauta. The sacks, the ex- I herewith transmit. I regret to say t“
press freight upon them, aud the railroad ; you that I have received no reply ,r (, n.
freights on the roads in East Tennessee him, and am therefore unable to announce
and Virginia are all uncommonly high.
Feeling that it was the duty of the
State to afford relief as far as possible,
first to the families of our gallant soldiers,
I directed the Commissary General of the
State, who is charged with the responsi
bility of the distribution of tbe salt, to
make a donation of one-half bushel to the .„ , . ,, - t t«. m .
widow of each soldier of this State who has j an 7 ">strncUons ol the General
bly for the defense ot the .rights ol wo
to you what will be bis policy- Tbe salt
made by tbe Troup Company was seize
under bis proclamation and subsequently
released, but we have no guaranty against
future seizures. While I will not believe,
till compelled, that Virginia will attempt
to rob Georgia of rights so important, *i=o
critical a period, I shall be ready to carry
died iu the military service, aud to each j
widow who has lost a son in service f and j
to sell to the Inferior Court of each coun
ty a half bushel for one dollar, for each
family of a soldier now in service, or of a
widow who has a son in service. The Jus
tices of the Inferior Courts of the several
counties have been requested to make a
insurgents return to the Commissary General of the
uames of all the soldiers’ wives and wid
ows in their respective counties, and I di
rected that officer to distribute tbe salt
State of Georgia to tlie last extremity-
We canuot submit to be deprived oi tue
salt we are making under fair contract*
made with tbe proprietors of the work*,
with the asseut of the State of Virgin 1 * 1
strongly implied, and with full knowledge
on her part for months pfior to the late f
of her Legislature, that Georgia was mas
ing heavy expenditures at the works
which she did not object.
Conclusion.
Profoundly impressed with the
among the couutics iu the order in which
tbe Courts made their reports. Cense- j ance of the struggle in which we , ar8 yg .
qucntly, the countica wboae Courts were I eugaged, the common daugers and pn^
must active and reported first, have long I tions to which we are exposed, anc *
since received their salt, while sotnei I be- the necessity for unanimity and nartm .7
lieve, have not yet reported. | in our legislative action, 1 amiprepaie ^
So soon as this distribution is completed, i sacrifice every personal consider* 114 * •
it is proposed to put the State Salt uponjth® promotion of ^ J the
the inaiket, at such rates as will enable m two^n tbe different dep