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toie with confidence in tin* pledges of the govern* ment. It is announced the future policy of the financial department to issue no more treasury- notes, and to receive nothing else in payment of public dues till the quantity is reduced to healthy circulation. This would be beneficial to the hold ers of the notes. As the armies are to be support ed, however, at a cost of hundreds of millions ol dollars per annum, the announcement leaves no doubt that it is to be douc in a great measure y seizing property and paying for it in certificates or bonds which will not pass as currency or in pay ment of taxes. This would be little better than legalized robbery, and if practiced long bj an\ government will drive the people to revolution as the only means left of throwing off intolerable bur- dens. * Bv its effort to grasp absolute power, the Con federate administration has greatly weakened our armies, and results have shown its utter inability, with all the power placed in its hands, to recruit and till them up to a number sufficient to meet the emergency. * So fatal have been the results of our wretched conscription policy, which, however well adapted to control European serfs, or those raised to be slaves of power, is so repugnant to the feelings and spirit of a free people, that it has driven our men iu despair to delinquency and desertion, till the President has informed the country in bis Ma con speech that two-thirds of those who compose our armies are absent, most of them without leave. If this be true, it shows a lamentable want ot pa triotism and conrngefon the part of the people, or an unwise and injudicious policy on the part of the administration, which imperils the very exis tence of the Confederacy, and calls for prompt and energetic action on the part of the people to com pel a change of policy, which, if longer persisted in, must result in utter ruin. If a planter who has one hundred faithful, trust worthy hands upon his farm should employ an overseer to manage it. and should visit it at a critical period of the crop and find that two-thirds of his hands are, and for a considerable time have bean absent, and that the crop is being lost on that account, he would doubtless decide that tile policy of the overseer was ruiuona to his interest, and dismiss him without hesitation. The people of this Confederacy have employed an agent to con duct for them a war for the dearest rights of free men, and have placed at his command, subject to the restraints thrown around him by the constitu tional charter and the great principles of personal liberty which lie at the foundation of free govern ment, hundreds of thousands of as gallant self- sacrificing citizen soldiers as ever took up arms iu a righteous cause. He has adopted a policy which has ignored personal liberty and the right of citizen soldiers to go to the field in organizations and under officers of their own choice, who have their respect and confidence. The result has been as our agent tells us, that two-thirds of these sol diers are absent, the larger portion without leave, at a time when their absence endangers our exis tence as a people. What then is the duty of the people of these States '! The answer is plain. They •hould compel their agent to change liis policy which treats free citizen soldiers fighting lor lib erty as serfs, and to observe the great principles for which we took up arms, or they should resume the military powers with winch they have clothed him and place them iy other hands where they will he used as well for the protection of the rights and liberties of the citizen as for the achievment. of the independence of the Confederaoj*. "Without this change of policy the armies cannot he recruit ed to the necessary number and both liberty and independence are lost together. This ruinous policy of the Administration finds no justification ip the Constitution of the country. From the organisation ot the Government of the United States to the disruption of the Union, the uniform practice was to call upon the States, when more troops than the regular iinnf were needed, to furnish them organized ready for service. This they could readily do, as all the machinery of the State government could be brought to bear to bring them out. Instead of enrolling officers of the central government imported among them, whom they knew not, and who were not in sym pathy with them, all the militia officers and civil officers of the counties, who are their neighbors and triends, and whom they are accustomed to respect and obey, could he charged with the duty of aid ing in the- organization. Not only so, hut they were permitted to go under officers of their own neighborhoods, usually elected by them, and to go with their own neighbors and relatives as their as sociates aud companions in arms. This was not only the practical aud successful mode, hut it was the Constitutional one. That instrument declares that Congress shall have power to provide for or ganizing, arming and disciplining the rffilitia, and for governing such part of then* as may lie em ployed in the service of the Confederate States, reserving to the States respectively the. appointment of. l/ ir officers, and the authority of training the militia ntcording to the discipline prescribed by Congress. Pending the consideration of this paragraph in the Convention which formed the Constitution of the United States, Mr. Madison moved to amend it by inserting after the words “reserving to tlio States respectively the appointment of the officers, the words ‘under the rank of general officers.’ ” The amendment if adopted would have left the States to appoint all officers under the rank of General, aud the Federal Government to appoint the Generals. But so jealous were the States of the power and patronage which this would have given to the federal executive, that they rejected by the vote of all the States except two ; and re served to( the States the appointment of all the officers to command the militia, when employed iu the service of the United States. And lest there should be a question about who is m.ent by the militia to he commanded by officers api>** ; n ted by the States when, employed in the - servie ; oft h e Confederate States, the C- aStitution baa solved that doubt. It says : A.weUregub.^ nJ iijtiabeing necessary to the security ^ u the right of the people to ^eep and bear arms shall not he infringed.”— Hence it is plain that the word militia and the word people mean the same, apply to the same persons, ami are used as. synonomoiis terms. It is clear, therefore, that the States have carefully reserved the appointment of the officers to com mand their anus-bearing people, when employed in the service of the Confederate States. If the President had adheared to this mode of raising troops as Mr. Madison who was a promi nent member of the Convention which framed the Constitution, did in the war of 1812, his patron age in the army wonld have been small. If on the other hand the Constitutional mode were laid aside, aud conscription adopted in lieu of it, giv ing him the appointment of all the officers, his patronage was immense. It is said about six hundred regiments, or enough of organized troops to make that number, have been received into Confedei ate service from all the States. Each regiment has ten companies, and each company four commissioned officers, or forty company officers to each regiment, making twenty-four thousand company officers; Add to this 600 Colonels, and as many Lieut. Colo nels, Majors, Adjutants, Quartermasters, and Com missaries, (as the law then stood) together with all the Chaplains, Surgeons, Brigadier Generals, Major Generals, Lieutenant Generals, with all the Post Quartermasters, Commissaries, Command ants, Adjutants, Marshals. &e., &c., and the con script act made about 30,000 officers dependant upon the President’s will for promotion. Thus in violation of the. Constitution the President was. substituted for. the States, and like the King of England made the foundation of all honor. To carry out this new policy of allowing the President to appoint the officers, it became neces sary to refuse longer to receive troops in organ ized bodies with their officers, but each must be conacribed and seat into service under such offi cers as the President might appoint. This sepa rated kindred and friends and neighbors, while in uervice. It destroyed the individuality and pa triotic order of our people, each of whom prior to that time felt that as a freeman he was paid of the Government, and that it was his war. But so soon as this policy was adopted he felt that it was the Government’s war, and that he was no longer a freeman, but the slave of absolute power. This was not the freedom he set out to fight for, and thousands of men rather than submit to it and re main in service, feeling that they wore the collar ot power upon their necks, have left the army without leave. Hence the President’s complaint, the cause of which has been the necessary result of his own policy. lie has mistaken the genius and spirit ot our people, and the materia} of which his armies are composed. The high toned spirit ed Southern matt will ievolt when you attempt to reduce him to an automaton of power. Prior to the passage of this fatal act, men taxed their ingenuity to devise plans to induce the Pres ident to receive them into service. So soon, how ever, as the act was passed, which denied’ them the right in future to form their organizations, and enter service as willing freemen, with their neigh bors aud friends, and gave the President the j>o w- «r to seize them and appoint their officers, the whole feeling was changed, and men have resort ed to every imaginable shift to keep gut ofthe ser vice. The excuse that conscription was necessary to keep the twelve months men Iff service, or to nil their places ennnot avail. The President knew months before w hen the term ofthese men would expire, and made no ef fort to organize troops to take their places. A hill was introduced into the Provisional Congress by a distinguished Georgian, but a short time be fore its expiration in February 1862, authorizing the President to call forth the militia to any ex tent necessary by requisition upon the States and to call for them for three years at his discre tion. This would have left the appointment of the officers with the States where the Constitution leaves it. The influence of the President was ac tively used to defeat this bill, on the ground that he did not need the law, as he had more troops i tendered than he could accept and arm. Early in April following he called for the con script act on the ground of necessity, to till up the 'army, and the bill was passed giving him the pat ronage and power, above mentioned. If conscrip tion had been necessary to keep the twelve months men in service till their places could he lilh-d, that afforded no reason why the act should have em braced the whole population of the Confedera cy within military age. A special act applicable only to the twelve mouths’s men lor a short period, till troops could have been tarnished Gy i;he States to take their places, would have met that necessity. This, however, would not. have given the President the appointment of the* offi cers for all the troops to be organized. His neg lect to call upon the States for troops to ii 11 tiie places of the twelve months’ men was made the occasion of vesting immense power and patron age in him, aud fastening conscription with all its evils upon the country. The President has been as unfortunate in his generalship, planning military campaigns, as he has iu his policy of recruiting his armies. All re member his first appearace on the field as Coin- mander-in-Chief at the close of (he battle ot 1st Manassas, when (if reports are reliable) he pre vented our General from taking advantage of the complete demoralization ot the Federal ar my to march upon Washington City, when it must have fallen into our hands with little resistance. He visited the army in Middle Tennessee and di vided it, sending part of 4 to Mississippi, too late to accomplish any good result there, and left Gen eral Bragg so weak that he was forced to evacu ate Tennessee, which, together with Vicksburg, fell info the hands of the enenry. He again ap peared upon the field at Missionary Ridge and di vided the army when a superior force was being massed in his front General Longstreet’s corps was sent into East Tennessee. General Grant waited till he was out of reach, when he fell upon the rem nant of Bragg’s army and drove it back into Geor gia opening the way for the advance into this State, and then sent troops and drove Longstreet out of East Tennessee, and made himself master of that invaluable stronghold of the Confederacy. The President’s last appearance upon the field was with General Hood’s army in this Shite, which was followed by the movement of that army into Tennessee. The country knows the result. Hood by the troops themselves appointed by he State, kept the men in the field, and we triumphed gloriously in almost every engagement with the enemy. Since that time, the officers appointed by the President have neither maintained discipline nor kept the men in the field. If the President s statement is reliable, they have only one third of them there. And I fear the discipline of that third is loose, compared with that exhibit by the leder- ai army iu its march through this State. The President having failed in his military ad ministration and brought the cuimliy to the verge of ruin by his military policy, should be relieved of that part of his duties, by an amendment of the Constitution to provide for. the appointment of a Comniander-in-Uhief of the armies of the Confed eracy. by the President, by and with the. consent of two thirds of the Senate, who shall be entirely free from the control of the President and remova ble only by the same power by which he was ap pointed. This would place the best military talent of tiie country in command of our armies, not in name only but iu fact, and would save us in future from the heavy calamities which have befallen us by the capricious removal of a great commander, at a most critical juncture of an ably conducted de fensive campaign. The late act of Congrers did not, and could not, take from the President his constitutional power as Commavdcr-in-chinf. It provides for the ap- pointment of a 6V«rr«/-iu-Chief. Robert E. Lee as General-iu-Chief is as subject to the orders of the President as be-was before the act of Congress, and his appointment under it, and the President may at any moment frustrate his plans by orders which he is obliged to obey. Congress cannot di vest the President of this power over all the gener als in Confederate service, including the General- in-Chief. This power is conferred by the Consti tution and can only he taken away by an amend ment of that instrument. These changes may he made without the evils of revolution within revolution. The Constitution provides for its own amendment. The remedy is perfectly peaceful. It declares that: Upon the demand of any three States legally assembled in tlieir several convention, the Congress shall sum mon a convention of all the States to take into consideration such amendments to the Constitu tion as the said States shall concur in^uggesting. at iht- time when said demand is made. It is perfectly legitimate and proper for -three States to demand such convention, whenever, in the opinion ot their people, the public good or the common safety requires it. In my opinion, the best interest of the country requires that such con vention meet, with as little delay as possible, to propose such amendments to the Constitution as will reform abuses by settling disputed points, and effect a speedy and thorough change of policy in conducting the war aud filling up and sustaining our armies. I sun not afraid to trustjthe people in convention. I therefore recommend tiie call of a convention of the people of this State, for the pur pose of proposing such amendments to tr.e Con stitution as will relieve the President of his re sponsibility as Commander-in-Chief of the armies and will provide for the appointment of a Comman- *MIL laU D G K v ILLE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1SG5. m has been driven out of Tennessee with great cal-j der-in-Cliief in time of war, and to propose such amity; and Georgia which was left completely i other amendments and do such other acts, as will uncovered has been destroyed by Sherman at his ! correct the abuses and afford remedies for grievan- leisure. j C es hereinbefore stated. Instead of rapid concentration of our armies at; I also recommend that this General Assembly vital points to strike the enemy stunning blows, appoint commissioners to each of the other States our policy lias been to divide and scatter our fore-! ofthe Confederacy, requesting them to assemble in es in the face of superior numbers, and received blows which has well nigh cost our existence as a Confederacy. Our people have endured this misrule with re markable forbearance and patriotism. But the time Convention at an early day, to demand of Congress the call of a Convention of all the States for the purposes above specified. The speedy adoption of this policy is in my judg ment indispensable to the achievment of our inde JUtcrkr. Latest isTews. time has come when we are oblige to deal with stern pendence and the lnaintainance of the great prin realities, and to look facts lull in the face. We can | ciples of State sovereignty and constitutional lib- no longer profit by hugging delusions to our bo-1 erty which underlie the foundations of our federa- soms. Our Government is now a military despot- tive system of government—gave being to our ism whenever the privilege of the writ of habeas present confederation of States—aud are ahso- eorpus is suspended, an object to which the Presi- j lately necessary to the future prosperity and hap- dent’s earnest efforts are constantly directed. The piness of our people. By the constm'*ion placed tendency to anarchy is rapid and fearful. upon the Constitution as it now stands, by those The Lincoln dynasty informs us distinctly that who administer tlio Confederate Government, these reconstruction or subjugation are the only alter- great principles have been disregarded, and the natives to he presented to us. The present policy if persisted iu must termin ate in reconstruction either with or without sub jugation. I accuse uo supporter of the measures of the administration of and such design. But en tertaining the opinions which I do of its results, if I favored reconstruction or subjugation,to both of which 1 am utterly opposed, I would give an earn est support to the President’s policy, as tiie surest mode ot diminishing our armies, exhausting our resources, breaking the spirits of our people, and sovereignty of tin? States, and the rights of the people lost sight of in the struggle for indepen dence. The achievement of our independence seems to he the great end and only good aimed at by those who wield the power at Richmond. We have been told from the halls of Congress that courts must be closed, and State lines obliterated, if necessary, to ac complish this object. Indeed some persons in au thority seem to have torgotton that we arc fighting for anything but independence. If so the whole living them in despair to seek refuge from -o. strnggleis in vain, for we had that in the- old gov- worse tyranny, by placing themselves under the protection of a Government, which they loathe and detest, because it has wronged and tyrannized over them, destroyed their property aud slaugh tered their sons. These are sad truths which it is exceedingly un pleasant to announce. But true statesmanship re quires that the ruler do the best that can he done for hi? people under all circumstances by which they are at the time surrounded. And the states man who sees nothing hut ruin in the pursuit of a line of policy, and does not warn his countrymen against it, is unworthy the high trust confided to his care. eminent which was our government, consecrated by the blood of our ancestors and transmitted from sire to son. We were independent of all ether powers. But the people of the Northern States got control of that government, and so adminis tered it as to imperil not only our independence hut our rights. We then separated from them and are lighting for our rights and liberties: and as a means of maintaining and securing those rights and liberties we declared our independence. In dependence with these is worth all the sacrifices which we have made or can make. Our rights and liberties are not. secondary to our indepen- fnft =e , but our independence is only necessary to But you may ask, do I despair of the justice d^'^fotect our rights and our liberties. Russia is in- our cause or of our ability to succeed. I answer emphatically, no. Bad as cur policy has been and much as we have wasted of men and moans, wo still have enough of both, if properly used, to con tinue the struggle till we achieve our indepen dence and ro-estahlish in these States constitution al liberty which has been for the time so complete ly crushed. To enable U3 to do this the conscription act must be repealed. the policy abandoned, and we must return to the constitutional mode of rais ing troops by the States. The States cannot do this successfully while- conscription is practiced, dependent of all the world, so is Turkey, while the government of each is a despotism ; and the peo ple have only tlm rights aud liberties which the Sovereign chooses to permit them to exercise. If this is the sort of independence for which we are fighting, our great sacrifices have been made to hut. little purpose. The recognition by foreign powers of the independence of our rulers and of their right to govern us, without the recognition of our rights and liberties by our rulers, is not worth the blood of the humblest citizen. We must gain more than this in the struggle or we have made a most unfortunate exchange. The further and they thwarted in their efforts by conflict and pursuit of our present policy not only endangers collision with Confederate officers. In a word, the two systems cannot work together. Our armies, composed of the militia or arms hearing people of the States, must he re-organized under officers appointed by the respective States, as the Constitution directs. This would enable the States in the re-organization to put into the ranks all supernumerary oijjccrs, including the large number of Confederate enrolling officers, who without commands, are now supported and paid by the government, and to displace such now our rights and our liberties, hut our independence also, by destroying the institutions and breaking the spirits of our people. Let us beware how we trifle with the rights, the liberties, and the happi ness of millions. I am aware that the freedom and plainness, which a sense of duty to my country has compell ed me to exercise, in discussing the measures of the administration, and the policy of the govern ment, may subject my motive to misconstruction. 1 feel the proud consciousness, however that I in command of troops as are tyrannical and inefii- have been actuated only by a desire to promote cient, and fill tlieir places with those who have the cause so dear to every patriot’s heart, and shown themselves competent, and who have the thereby secure the independence of the Confeder*- eontidence of the troops to be commanded by them. , acy, with the civil and religions liberties and con- The States, iu the re-organization of these troops, stitutional rights of the people, without which iu- could also put into service the large number oi\ dependence is an emptf name, and the glory and able-bodied young men within their limits, who, j grandeur of nur republican system is departed for- now at home, hold appointments under the Con-j ever. No one can he more vitally interested than federacy which serve the purposes of protection, j myself in the success of our cause. I have staked without reciprocal benefit to-the common cause.— life, liberty and property, and the liberties of iny In the same manner great numbers of absentees, deficient in neither patriotism nor gallantry, who have been driven out of the armies by the petty tyrauny of subaltern officers appointed at Rich mond to command them, could he brought hack by* the States under officers of their own choice, who V ould make excellent troops. Remove the shack les of bondage from the limbs of our troops, and let them teel that they are again freemen, lighting in freedom’s cause, and that the Government stands by and maintains the great principles of constitutional liberty, and State sovereignty*, for which they took up arms, and they* will re-enter the field with renewed hopes, determined to con quer an honorable pence or fill a soldier’s grave. ‘Wt must return to-tire observance of good faith with our troops—pay them when tlieir wages are due, and discharge them when their terms expire. Wc must pass no more acts of repudiation of our government issues of currency. We must receive iu payment of Confederate tax es, all notes, bonds or certificates which persons are compelled by the Government to take in pay ment for property taken from them, by its impress ment officers. We must abandon the policy of supporting the armies by impressments or forcible seizures of property, and must adopt the policy of purchasing what we need, except in extreme cases which just ify impressment, and then we must pay as the constitution requires—yast compensation for the property taken. This equalizes the burdens by- dividing the whole among the entire number of tax-payers, in proportion to the amount of proper ty owned by each. Representation without coustituency must no longer be allowed ; nor must laws he dictated to us by the votes of representatives without accoun tability to those who share iu the burdens imposed by the legislation enacted by them. Secret sessions of Congress, except in cases where legislation effecting the movements of our armies is pending, mnst be abandoned, and the people must know, as they have a right to know, how their representatives act and vote upon all measures aflectfn* their vital interests, their rights and their honor. Discipline must be restored and enforced in our armies. One of the reasons given by it advocates for the enactment of the conscript law was, that better discipline would be maintained by giviim the appointment of the officers to the President! Results have shown the reverse to he true. Prior to the adoption yf that plan, the officers selected , posterity, upon the result. The enemy have burn ed my dwelling and other houses, destroyed my property, and shod in rich prolusion the blood of nearest relatives. My destiny is linked with my country. If we succeed, I am a freeman ; but if, by the obstinacy, weakness, or misguided judg ment of our rulers, we faib the same common ruin awaits me which awaits my countrymen. It is no time to conceal ideas in courtly phrase. The night is dark, the tempest howls, the ship is lashed with turbulent waves, the hrImsman is steering to the whirlpool, our remonstrances are unheaded, and we mnst restrain him, or the craw must sink to gether, submerged in irretrievable min. JOSEPH E. BROWN. Losses of South Carolina—The following is a recapitulation of the whole loss of South Carolina, killed in battle, disease or accident, since the war began. It is from the report just made by Major J M DeSassuA : Brigadier Generals 4 Colonels ...... 20 Lieutenant Colonels 15 Majors 10 Captains 120 Lieutenants 343 * Staff officers 34 Non-commissioned officers and privates 7,074 Total 7,625 A project is on foot in Mexico, for a railroad from Mattamoras to the city of Monterey. The distance is eighty miles and the estimate coat of the road with the necessary machinery,, ect., £3,100,000. The Monterey Era says that the jm- peror is protecting and inducing a spirit of enter prise to all projects of internal improvement. ISP The Macon Journal <fc Messenger will be issued daily on and after the first of March, by Messrs. Rose and Burr, .Success to it. Cavaliere Righetti, the fortunate owner oftlie gigantic statue of Hercules, lately discovered at Rome, has begged the Pope’s acceptance of it, and liis holiness has been graciously pleased to accept it. The magnificence of the gift maybe imagined, when it is known that only a few days before a Ro man nobleman offered two hundred ibousandscudi (over forty thousand pounds) for the splendid work of art, and M. Sclients made even a higher hid for it, on behalf of the Freueh povcrnment. THE MESSAGE. We lay before our readers ns wc promised, the message of Gov. Brown. We had thought of dis secting It, and pointing out the hold assertions, the supposed results, and the general want of poli cy ^nd foresight charged by Gov. Brown upon the President and Congress. We do not pretend to deiy, that some laws that have been passed did not work out the desired results supposed,and laws that were good in themselves, have been abused by Hose appointed to carry out tlieir provisions, eitlrei through ignorance or cupidity. To lay the blame upon Mr. Davis or Congress for the action of thoisands of government agents, is preposter ous, and shows a want of common sense and a knowledge of mankind. A faithless agent is of ten removed, but to suppose for a moment, that the Uhicf Executive is to know the individual ac tions of the thousand and one appointments un der him, is to suppose, that he is omniscent. As ive said above, we had thought of giving the' message a thorough dissection, hut from the gen eral opinion we hear upon the streets, and see in the papers, ive are’satisiied that-the good common sense and. pure patriotism of the people condemn unqualifiedly the toue, temper, spirit and asser tions of the Governor. We are willing to give it to the people without prejudging it on our part or attempting to expose many of the weak points made by the Governor. To declare our govern ment a tyranny, and to say that the people would be driven to reconstruction or submission, is draw ing too much upon the fancy. Read the message and analyse it for yourselves, and if you do not come to the conclusion that it is an ill timed docu ment, bearing upon its face the marks of a sour, discontented, fault-finding and hypercritical spirit, we are deceived in your judgment. We give hut one extract copied from the Columbus Times, which is characteristic of the whole document, ns far as it relates to our national affairs. The Times says : But the message does not stop herft—wc wish it did. It makes a fearful leap further. The decla ration ia phiinly made that the President is aspir ing to absolnte power, and the soldier is told, in •vnbstaHoe, thaX-Vreis fighting but to make himself a slave. That we may not do injustice to the text, we quote : “To carry out this new* policy of allowing the- President to appoint the officers, it became neces- sary to refuse longer to receive troops in organiz ed bodies with their officers, hut each must be con- scribed aud sent into service under such officers as the President might appoint. This separated kin dred and friends and neighbors while iu service. It destroyed the individuality and patriotic ardor of our people, each of whom prior to that time, fel- that as a freeman he was part of the Goverumentt and that it was his war. But so soon as this poli cy was adopted, lie felt that he was no longer a freeman, but the slave of- absolnte power. This was not the freedom he set out to fight for, and thousands of men, rather than submit to it and re main in service, feeling that they wore the collar of power about their necks, have left the army without leave. Hence the President’s complaint, the cause of which has been the necessary result of his own policy. He has mistaken the genius and spirit of our people, and the material of which his armies are composed. The high-toned, spirit ed Southern man will revolt when you attempt to reduce him to au automaton of power.” If this does not justify desertion, it is certainly the most adroit apology for it we ever saw on pa per. We know that the Governer did not so in tend it. We know that he could not have fully weighed the effect of his words, or comprehend their occult logic. We fully agree with our cotemporary ; the Gov ernor did not weigh his words or study their mean ing or the construction that could and w'Guld be put upon them. The recommendation for a convention is unne cessary ; what in the world the Governor wants to change the Confederate (Constitution for, we can* not see, unless it be his dislike to Mr. Divis. The idea is utopian. We would say in all candor to the Governor, if things do not go on to suit him, and he feels that he is a watchman, to resign his position and let some one else try tlieir hand.— Gen. Wright ift our opinion could get along with the Confederate administration very well until next October, and the people, would he encourag ed to back into the ranks instead of dodging be- Itind this Governor's ixpologjr for tlieir desertion We would be pleased to see a change in the Exec utive of Georgia, for we would anticipate a change for the better so far as our Confederate relations are cuiicemed. What a spectacle would he pre sented to the minds of the people, and especially to Yaakeedom, if the Governors of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida. Alabama. Mis sissippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Tennes see were to harangue them with such a message ? Mr. Davis aud Congress would be paralysed, and our Confederacy would go down in dishonor and disgrace. Who can for a moment doubt it ? FIRE. The residence of Capt. Lewis Kenan was des troyed by fire ou Wednesday night last. Noth ing ia the house was saved. Capt. K. was absent atAltcon and Mrs. K. was on a visit to her moth er-in-jaw. The lire when discovered, about 11 o’clock, had made such headway that it was impossible to enter the house. We sympa thise with Capt. K. in his loss, as it will be next to impossible to replace his losses, or even to re build at present. We gather as the latest' news, that Charleston has been evacuated by our forces, and is now in tho hands of the enemy. All the public property waa destroyed. We were compelled to destroy a large amount of stores at Columbia. The enemy in his march through South Caroli na, is barning all the fine residences aud destroy ing ail the provisions that he cannot consume. Sherman is striking for Charlotte, N. C., de stroying the railroad as he goes ; he lias about 50,000 troops. Gen. D. H. Hill has been relieved of his com mand at Augusta; Gen. B. D. Fry succeeds him. The Legislature is expected to adjourn by the last of this week. If it has passed upon any measures, showing that its assemblage was necessary, we have not been able as yet to discover them. Wonld it not be well for it to appoint a joint committeo to examine into tho condition of the gtat« finances, am} report to. tho w^xt.Legislature the various appropriations made since the com mencement of the war, the manner in each in stances which the money has been used, and what tellable resource the State has for reimburse ment 1 W th<»t portion of the expense of the war that properly devolves upon fag Confederate Gov ernment? We gather from the last Augusta papers the following items: _ The railroad between Branchville and Charles ton is unmolested, and repairs are making be tween Augusta and Brapchville.* The Wilmington railroad beyond the Wateree river is undisturbed. . Orangeburg is reported partially destroyed. The trestling and bridges on all the South Car olina roads, north aud northwest of Branchville, are destroyed. We have no official communication with Charles ton as yet. A reliable citizen of Augusta reports that Mayor Macbeth, of Charleston, says that the French Consul assured him that lie bad advices that Napoleon will assert the independence of the Confederate States on the 4th of March next, aud, if necessary, support the declaration with armed intervention. French vessels are rendezvousing at conveni ent points along the coast aud iu the Gulf of Mexi co. Gen. Wade Hampton burned his own residence in Columbia, to prevent the Yankees from sacking it. It is rumored that a body of Federal cavalry have cut the Greenville and Columbia Railroad at Alston—about twenty-live miles above the latter place. It is not kuown how niucii damage was doue. From later and perfectly reliable sources, we learn that Sherman has crossed Broad and Saluda rivers, and was moving on Alston, where there is ! a bridge eight hundred and fifty feet long, with a " view to destroy it. They are on the direct road to Charlotte, N. C., and the next point, which they will probably reach will he Wiunsboro’. W e also learn that Columbia has not been taken, the Federals having left that city to the right. It seems to he Sherman's policy to destroy rail roads, avoid a light, and march boldly onward to Virginia or North Carolina. Augusta, Feb. 22-^-A large number of persons, on tlieir way to the Army of Virginia, left here this morning, expecting to pass far to the right of Sherman’s path, and get ahead ol him before he reaches the Danville road. It is evident that the Yankees intend to make the movement rapidly, destroying all our com munications with tin; Capital. They do not stop t.o make battle, hut flank around all fortified plac es, destroying as we evacuate. Sherman left Sa vannah aud i’oeotaligo with seventy-two thousand men of all arms: His force now amounts to more than 55,UUU effective men, whom he keeps com pactly together and manages with the strictest dis cipline. It is currently reported that Lee has moved out of his works at Petersburg, to make a rapid swoop upon Sherman. • The last heard from the enemy, - was that they were at Newberry Court House, on the Greenville Railroad, ou tlieir way to Abbeville. A Large Portion of Columbia Burned—Cheatham Fighting the Enemy. Augusta, Feb. 23—On Sunday the ID, the ene my confronted a portion of Cheatham’s corps two miles from Newberry Court-house—their force be ing only a strong feint, to cover operations on Columbia. They retired rapidly on Sunday night, and burn ed the bridge at Alston, and on Saturday destroy ed the railroad, pushing on to join the main body toward Charlotte. On Saturday morning another body of the en emy entered Columbia, burned both sides of Main street, the whole length, and other buildings, the same day moving rapidly north. Nothing definite since Cheatham was trying to flank Sherman and join our forces in front of tin* enemy, when be was driven far to the left, and the movement complete ly frustrated. Our force is scattered, though op- ertf iug on the enemy’s wings. Cheatham was at Columbia this morning. 8100 HfiWAZlDi S TOLEN, trom the Livery Stable at this place, on the night of the 21st inst., a small GRAY MARE, with a knot on the left side of her neck. Milledgeville, Feb. 28,1865 9 ^2t^" G eorgia, Hancock county. Whereas Martha Veal has filed her petition in the Court of Ordinary for said county, praying for letters of administration on the estate of Irwin F. Veal, late of said county, deceased— This is therefore to admonish those interested to be and appear at my office within the time pre scribed by law, to show cause, if any exist, why said letters should not be granted. THOMAS I. LITTLE, Ordinary, February 28, 1865 9 5t S TATE OF GEORGIA, Lowndes County. Whereas Archibald Averett, administrator de Uonis non of John M. Dees,, late of Baid county, deceased, having filed his petition in this Court for letters ot dismission from said estate— This is therefore to admonish all concerned to he and appear at my office within tl)£ time pre scribed by law to show cause, if-any exist, why said letters should not be granted. Given under my hand, this 9th day of February, 1965. WILLIAM SMITH, Ordinary. February 28, 1865 9 mfim TATE OF GEORGIA, Lowndes County. Nancy E. Beaty applies for letters of guar dianship of the person ami property of the minor heir of William J. Beaty, late of said county, de ceased— This is therefore to cite and admonish all per sons interested to file their objections on or before the first Monday in April next, otherwise letters will he granted the applicant. Given under my hand, this 9th day of Februa ry, 1865. WILLIAM SMITH, Ordinary. February 28, 1365 9 5t C GEORGIA, HANCOCK COUNTY. V Whereas Sarah J. liar ton has tiled her peti tion in the Court of Ordinary for said county, praying for letters of administration on the es tate of Alfred P. Harton, late of said county, de ceased— This is therefore to cite and admonish all and singular, the kindred and creditors of said de ceased, to file tlieir objections, if any they have, in my office within the time prescribed by law, otherwise said letters will be granted to the appli cant. THOS. I. LITTLE, Ordinary. February 28, 1865 9 5t t The Columbus Times of the 24th inst. says: For the comfort and encouragement of those who think that Sherman will march rough-shod over North Caroliuaand Virginia, we will state that two weeks ago to-day a consultation between Generals liar- dee, Beauregard, Johnston and li. E. Lee, was held at Columbia, S. C. What was done ive don’t know, but we suppose that some agreement was entered into aud some plan of action determined on which is perhaps now in course of development. We get the fact above stated from a source entire ly trustworthy. Georgians Aroused.—We are crowded with communications from all quarters, and from the most intelligent gentlemen in the State, denuncia tory and condemnatory of the pernicious and rev olutionary character of Governor Brown’s Message. Its unpopularity is great and widespread [Confederate .S' Tele± i lli The question of calling a State Convention, as recommended by the Governor, has been voted down by the Legislature. In the Senate by about eight and in tin* House by twelve votes. The Telegraph and Confederate says: We trust the entire attention of the people will now he directed to foiling the enemy in his attempts at subjugation and conquest. In this city, on the 24th inst., Mr. Daniel B. Stetson, au old and highly esteemed merchant and also a leading and influential member of the Baptist church. At his residence in Hancock county, Ga., on the 29th of January, 1865, William W. Devkkux, aged 37 years At the call of his country, lie ww.it into the service of the State at. Savannah, thence to Atlanta, while laboring under disease of the heart, which service he might have avoided hut would not apply for a discharge, because so many wore seeking, to avoid the service, liis health continued to decline, until inflammation ot the bowels terminated the life of a good and faith ful soldier, a kind and affectionate husband, pa rent and friend. He lias left a wife, four children, a mother and many friends and relatives to mourn their loss. He said to his wife lie did not cease to pray from the time lie entered the service to that time. The Savior said, “those who come unto me I will in no wise cast out.” A Friend. rjpHERE WILL BE AN ELECTION held at. JL the usual place of holding elections in Bald win county, on Saturday, the first day of April, 1865, for a Justice of the Inferior Court, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the refusal of the Hon. Pe ter Fair to qualify. By order of the honorable Inferior Court. B. P. STUBBS. Clerk. February 28, .1865 9 3t MANY CITIZENS of Baldwin county, desirous of having tiie vacancy in the Court occasioned by the resignation of Col. Peter Fair, filled by a suitable person, pre sent to. the voters of the county the name of S-A-JVL’Xj E- ■W'jESII'XLftJKIIEIR.j as a candidate for Justice of the Inferior Court, to fill said vacancy. February 28, 1865 9 tf . M ESSRS. EDITORS—Having learned that Col. Peter Fair has resigned his seat as a Justice of the Interior Court of Baldwin county, we respectfully announce the name of R. A. Mo- COMB as a suitable person to fiil said vacancy. MANY VOTERS February 28,1865 9 If MEDICAL NOTICE. T IIE CASH system being the prevalent one, the undersigned, Physicians of Milledge- ville, are compelled to adopt the same. They will, therefore, from this date expect their Je.es upon the termination of each case. „ . „ GEO. D. CASE, SAM’L G. WHITE, W. H. HALL, J. II. HOLMES. February 28, 1865 9 41; t v EORGIA, HANCOCK COUNTY: I" Whereas James, W. Simmons and Ann E. Devreux have filed their petition in the Court of Ordinary of. said county for letters ot adm* 11 * 9 ' tration on the estate* of William W. Devreux, late of said county, deceased— This is to admonish all and singular the kind red and creditors of said deceased to be and ap pear at my office within the time prescribed by law to show cause, if auy they can, why said let ters should not he granted. THOMAS I. LITTLE, Ordinary February 28,1865 9 5t A LL PERSONS having demands against the estate of John W. H. Mitchell, late of Han cock county, deceased, are hereby requested to present them, properly proven, to Thomas I. Lit tle, Esq., and those indebted to said estate are re quired to make immediate payment to said Little. ELIZABETH MITCHELL, Adm’x. February 28, 1865 9 6t A LL PERSONS having demands against the estate of George B.Amoss, late of Hancock county, deceased, are hereby requested to present them, properly proven, and those indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to JAMES BASS, Adm’r. February 28, 1865 • 6t TRAYED OR STOLEN from the subscriber S about the 9th instant, a large black horse MULE, seven or eight years old, right eye out. 1 will pay $100 reward for the mule, or $500 for the mule aud thief, with evidence to convict. A. J. BANKS. Milledgeville, Feb. 21, 1865 8 tf For Sale, A SMALL FARM, containing about 106' acres J\ of land, principal part in cultivation, with sufficient fire wood. It adjojns the land of Mrs. Eliza Carter, and was lately owned by Maj. Win. T. W. Napier. It is about a mile from Seottsboro’, on the road to Milledgeville. For further particulars, call ou Col. L. H. Bris coe. Milledgeville. February 21, 18C5 8 2t* WANTED, A N OVERSEEli for a few hands. He must he altogether sober, industrious and not liable to military duty. Apply at the Recorder Office. Mililedgeville, February 14, 1905 7 tf On the 22d inst., at the residence of Col. Wm. McKinley, by the Rev. Win. ITinn, Capt. John D. Pope, of Walker county, Ga., to Miss Gkacik Sims of this place. jVTOTICE.—As every article is rising with rx- -L i pidity, ive shall rise in the price of tanning and dressing leather. From and after the first day of March next, we will charge for tanning and dressing sole leather, five dollars ner pound; for upper leather, six dollars: skins, not charged by the pound, but in due proportion; or, ive will charge one-half for the other, at the option of the patron. M. J. CALLAWAY, JAMES THOMAS. Hancock county, Feb. 21, 1865 8 4t C CONFEDERATE TAX.—I ain instructed to d collect all tax now due forthwith. All per sons ivho have not paid, will call and settle imme diately. The tax on salaries and income of the last year, are now due; all persons are requested to call soon and make their returns, ry Office at Mrs. Carr’s. J. C. WHITAKER, Collector: R. MICKLE JOHN, Assessor. Milledgeville, Eeh. 21, 1865 8 tf rriWO MONTHS after date application will he -L made to the Court of Ordinary of Hancock county for leave to sell a negro man slave, named John, 18 or 20 years old, belonging to Ephraim Barnes. ASA BARNES, Guardian. Sparta, Feb. 21, I3G5 8 9t G eorgia, Laurens county. Whereas Thomas J. Holloman, guardian of Sarah E. Stokes, applies to this Court of Ordinary for letteVs of dismission— These are therefore to cite all and singular the kindred and creditors of said ward to file their ob jections, if any. they have, in my office withiu the time prescribed by law, why letters should not he granted to sakl applicant. WASHINGTON BAKER. Ord’y. February 21, 1865 8 5t G « EORGIA, HANCOCK COUNTY. r Whereas John F. Adams and Mary E. Sas- nett have filed their petition in the Court of Or dinary of said county, praying for letters of ad ministration on that part of the estate of William P. Sasnett, late of said county, deceased, not em braced iu liis will— This is therefore to cite and admonish all and singular, the kindred and creditors of said de ceased to file their objections, if any they have, iu my office within the time prescribed by law, to show cause why said letters should not be grant ed- ' THOMAS I. LITTLE, Ordinary. February 21, 1865 8 5t TO EXCHANGE^ * lbs. SALT for PROVISIONS. JjWVV COMPTON & CALLAWAY. Milledgeville, Feb. 14, 1865 7 tf 6,000 S OLE, RUSSET and KIP LEATHER, also LIGHT SKINS for sale at the Georgia Pen itentiary. Apply to February 14, 1865 T. T. WINDSOR, B. K. 7 Ct A REWARD OF ONE HUNDRED DOL- lars will be paid for the return of a new pair of FAIRBANKS’ SCALES, with a 1,2 aud 300 pound weight, taken from the Penitentiary during the late invasion, by a negro man npoq a cart or one horse wagon, who was seen going out of town towards the Macon or Eatonton road. The above reward will be paid for its delivery to T. T. WINDSOR, B. K. February 14, 1865 7 Gt * A LL PERSONS having demands against the estate of Patrick Kane, late of Baldwin county, deceased, are hereby notified to present their claims, legally authenticated, and those knotting themselves indebted to said deceased, are requested to make payment. B. P." STUBBS, Esclieator and ex-officio administrator. February 14, 1865 (jh) 7 6t O TRAYED OR STOLEN on Sunday the 5th instant, a small BAY HORSE, with short ears and long hair, mane trimmed off, also a white spot in the forehead. Said horse is the property of Wm. Supple. Any person returning the horss to the subscriber will he amply rewarded. - WM. SUPPLE. Milledgeville, Feb. 14,1865 7 tf G REEN AND DRY HIDES purchase. Georgia Penitentiary, for which the ] market price will be paid. February 7, 1865 ( Blanks for Sale at this Office.