Newspaper Page Text
10LUITTT vV WARREN, Proprietors.
Volume XVI.
I. VXDS FOR SALE.
Iwt'.i sell my plantation wln*r*> I I
m reside on th Fiiauahouttiee river
5a I IOH acres r I-a red, Rood water, good
‘and, wot improved; 4,000 acres in
K"od mills ou tiie preiul
.. woPrfiws , These lands cun be divided to
sit fneuds (bit may want to buy neareai h other. At*
o tMi m res Hist fanning land iu Karly conn’y, join- ;
uig the hi? lord nu the iFire of Early and Baker; also, j
*io arr. ~i \\ m k'screek. smalllninrovenients on
ea !i I: .1 ?, and •. . Mattering lots. I will sett low. I
My r silence i* in (’! y county Uo , nine miles be
lmv Kou (lames, and iffeven from Hiakelv. 1 will
-ell all my pioperty on the place if Iran. There is
the rise clone hundred negroes, and stock in propar
lion. Call and look; bargain can he bought in eith
er of (he placi t.
jnly34—wtf. M W.STAMPER.
PMNTATION AM) STOCK
FOR SALE,
x l have come to the conclusion to return to
North Carolina, us my relatives are all there.
I wi-h to cell all that 1 possess in
A£- linn rail. | have tl beautiful little SlUtitUCr
if-iiitein w 14 miles north of t olumbim, (,’a. and near
Ihe Tioy-factorv Tin- 0 bundled acres of good
bind, well Improved; about 150 in a good state 01
< Mtlvatlon; good dwelling hou.re, negro houses, barn,
>aide*'fin hiHtse and screw; farming utensils oTall
; .i;d* cowa, bogs, mules, wagons, household and
kiu lien furniture, corn and fodder, aud various'oihr r
.rticl?s too tadions to me in ion. In a drsi rate neigh
borhood, good neighbors and good society. Please
vi> and look at my l'tud and stock.
B. H. RUINSFIP.I.n.
May Tth -wif.
HTOTIOB.
~-.o* The HttbecrUrer offers for sale a valuable
4*4Ltftock Farm in ihe7th District nf Worth roun*
££j%ty. tfa..consisting ofosffi acres of Land, 130 or
lib Acres open Lands, n new Gin House and
. rew upon the ptaee, 150 or 900 head of Cattle, about
ihesame number of hogs, and 30 head of sheep.
lVmis will l- made accommodating and strictly no
ivh.'ii the rash is offered. Enquire in Albany aid us.
Hill’s Livery Bteblcs, fur directions lo the place,
dune *. -\v>f THOH.H. KENDALL.
LAND FOR SALK.
•jit t will sell uty Plantation in Russell Cos.
fly A1 two cello* south of Uohee Post office
-cur.iuinioit Seven Hundred and Twenty
A'-ro*, with two hundred Acres cleared. This
place has a dwelling, good gin house and screw,
uogr > houses and kitchen, and all other necessary
outbuildings. Any person wishing to make en
quiry are referred to W. L. Tilluian, Columbus,
<#., or myself on the Pl*nt%tinfi.
Oct, 8 wtf ‘ J.C. BROWN.
SANFORD’S
LIVER IriVIGQRATOR
NEVER OERU.ITATEB.
I t 1 h t: • Hi'ui SORn usTIRKLYfront oums.aud
i hasbc.-ru**,) 4m)‘tabl.a)v4 wri.iistandard.utcdicme
-approve:', bv all that . Uayr ued it, and •* re
sorted to with ciijf:- oug dense* In all diseascefor
which ft U re* omnium/- *■ *d.
1? In? cured th.'UJitrui- ** , witlUnthe last! wo years
who had £i ven up bop*’ ’• . of r <* numerous
uusoiKited certificate ■ S* in hy*JW-•session show.
Tin*dose must he ..dap- g# led to the temperament
<*f 1 ueindividualtaking ..1 aud media such quan
tities a* i aetg'-ntly *< the bowels*-
f .at the dictates of your 4* judgment guide you in
use of the /jyi.lt LY- ** I'iU OR A TOM* and it
will .up* Lrrer ( m- £ plSots, BILIOUS At
lurk /> It/ /./*. 4A, ttm Ckronic Diarrhea,
oUMM C R CO M ■ CLAIM! * I)YSF..VJ K
nl, urois 1 , gften . afoMAciU Habitual
i'OSTJVKJfE**, i'lA-\ot if. ÜBOfJRA ChoU
r* Airbus, CHo.LI.RA mss LYSAMJtIM FLA TV-
I. P.VC'i. Li 1 A n /C>:. Cm.,tie H KAKF.YSSh
f,H, and nwv he . I wd -mcressAiilyasanOribM
u <f. V ‘Mly M It will cure SIC/C
n>J A U -1 CIL 1\ (a* than -.andspan testify)r
sun mum , if m t*o or three Tm
yfionfuL u t a r n it i o'nmi ncrineiiloltht;
til who ute it art * . firiay thetr testimony
MIX \VA 1 Lit IN TUB MOUTH WITH THE IN
VIGOfe&OIi. \NO|WALU>WBtmi TO'.ETH-
I-TR VWTCF. 1> N £ HOf .1. A Rl* ER 11 1 >1 ff .V.
ALSO.
SANFOHD ? S
Kami r,v
(halliartic Fills.
COM roti NPBD rftOM
I'ure VrceinbleKitiAdi, and pul up
In Ole.** Cae* Air Tight, ami will
krrplusny Climate.
The FAMILY C\ tartic lHti fs gen.
Uu out nctix •• Unthaiur Q who hUu pmprivlor i •
wsod 111 bis pra< tree more . than twenty year-
The const mar* aiiinf demand from those wh>
have long its* ,1 <iic PILLH and the ehtjjdsc.iton which
allcjtprcs* inrafardtotheir >*d hip t<- pot
them in the reach of all. wl
Theprolession well know {lf that ditlerpdt vhhiiuUM s*
The V AMILV f’A !> THA R T It’ FILL
hts.wiihducrefrrence to Huiie dr. li e,rablih.!d Lict
been compounded fr*to a 2V**nctyofthc purit vegr
table PStiurtN, which act alikefihevery perl of the
alimeaiary cafknl, and are Is% odd and ear** in all ea
f,g w’lure a 1 -.hat hat tie i* m oeeded. each as He
hvKOkMEN re „ f 1u “ kTOMM 11. Hi tri*i
*css, -I* A IMF IS nut Q BACK AM) LOIN**.
L'OSriVr.NEH H, PAIN aNO fiOßEKtea ovEa
tha WlKlf.fi liOIIV from sudden cold, which
frequently, if neglected. TANARUS) * ndin a long course of Fe
ver, LOR H oi APPE- H Til E, a Lsekhko Ren
■ ATIOM OF t.ot.r OV-Ek ‘HIR Honv, REeTLEW
.ii'H* HfcJAllM HE or “ WEtoiix in the Head,
*li IMI. NMM ATOHV W DthKASES, WORMS, ii*
CIIII.DREN AIM LTS, k 1 RhbuMaTIMM. a Grt'lA
Pander of 1,0 Blood m sndmdhydi* aaetowbb h
•|phi#b*ir,!nrßurocron- m*qjiouin t!lf adver
,lll* nt l>*Kllo3.‘
Price 30 Cents.
THE I.IVF.IIN'VIOORATORand FAMILY OA
TH ART’ pH LB are retailed by DrllgguD generally
and sold whnUrjd* and ratal* bythe Trade iu all the
T. W. n.,
Manufacturer and Proprietor,
Jn**l7 wit in uSi Broadway, New \ork.
NOTIOB
MK RCU .VNTS°& Sll ll’i’EßS
IN THE
Sotithein tutiiedcracy.
l-AsScS faiia- ■
VRIIANGKMBNTH have been perfected by the
llAltNßfiM’d RXFRBRik ro i.y winh
ssua! Ist titties are off* red its patrons and ih public
federally for -dT*rtf>S End learmg goods at the
i .i.ioni Ilouac** and for the speedy titnsi.ilsslon ot
li.e same ith*r by EXPRBfcH .r FREIGHT
TRAINS tethrir de unatfnr
Goods in!l be enter'd in Bond in Ktivannah if re.
tir'd. GOLD A alLYEßwity received for duties
and Custom llouiio- t*-•<
Any iniornigtftHi tttqw>r*d i> relattwi W Custom
ft.in *• ri|iAii:n< Ills nil .fppiuiSMon to
1 *ni. mix. a,.m.
39Riwal Htreet.
a£ißO,
rwMi* ant H. Ill* .Mor.il on any of Hw
iv.oUr ,omn.li ,- Hum from o nvmni jn to 100
Volk, ondaov ml --w.lioo rivm 111 rela ion lo tl>o
o..p,io■'lion - „ „ mu „ A , r „,-
Boliiuibtir. Api I* I>lJ,Ib;l
Lockhart, Young & Roberts
GREAT SACRIFICE!
\0 TARIFF !
Tweqty-Four fer Cent, .'iavetl.
Ur£ won! I rcspocrti illy Inviie th* atx ntion of our
friend* and all rmtii*T who may desire to pur
fSia* v< nh let of soy d** tpt">n to ibe fh'’ that we
non on hand alar.•• a l weil he orfadstdek of
roaches Itockaways, BoKgks,
T* fTTING VVAO* ‘Nlt.HAUNßhd.ltc.
All of WbUh tlreing pn*r based befor- the ).n sAilllai
iff want j*o >- -tr itjowy * rt.aidefl 1 Mfi-> for
Mf:rn |/AVER
at the Foriqnea.
L., j 1 ‘‘.rKHAIU’. YOUNG L ItoilKßTß'.
r >l.l aiaod of Ja Kee S( Kobaiis ,
I* h. AVrldedM rl ncoewsary to -tatoihat w** arc
prepared vi*uan k 4 PU'lili* f’ rdnlnt'aJi brandies of
HEP AIRING lu oatl.ue. ou the shortest notes, in
ibe beat nunnar, and at theßa*apoa*ibP rate*
The patronage ~f otir friends, and til cash or
,rompt paying customer- ia mert resp* ■ ttalljr solic
ited 1 • * * ”
Ocilambue, Apr.it w arn
Ac Entente U iTkln limp
COll MBIS.TI'KSI)AY. APRIL 80, 1881.
Baltiiore.. .Marylaml l^islatair., .Secession Probable.
A letter from Baltimore, ilntod 24th April,to n
gentleman in this city, so\ .•;
•‘\Ye have an inloase exeilvmeut hero ut this
time. Our Legislature will eonvene the 20th
ins I an l w ill doubtless pass u secession act.
Had this been done four months ago, it would
have been far better. AVo need unanimity, ami,
generally speaking, our pec pie are now uuited,
and if there can boa united South, pence will
sooner come. But the fever is too hot now to
continue long—the culminating point must now
omne. Truly wo don’t know what a day may
may brtog forth. If further attempt is .made to
pass Northern troops through here, tbo resis
tance will bo to ih uttermost. We now have
ten to fifteen thousand armed men, and are con
stantly iccciviug additions from counties jn our
State, nnd wc hope from Virginia. We are look
ing with anxiety fora demonstration from Jeff
Davis.”
Tlit Mini,’ araom the Commercial classe* in Great
Eritain.
The following is an extract from u letter from
a Commission House in Birmingham, England,
to a business linn in this city. It declaros what
we have always believed, that the European
Powers will “make haste” to acknowledge the
independence of the Confederate States. The
letter is dated April sth :
“The feeling on this side about United States
affairs is universally that it Is not only letter
for both North and South to agree on amicable
i .separation, but also that the North mint cave in
(like it or net) as neither England or France
could recognize any partial blockade which is tho
utraait the North can attempt. If it is the will
of the people to separate, the thing is done, and
will be recognized quick enough, espeeiolly with
J the Mornll tariff to spur all indifferent spirits.’
Communicated.
i'otiTKiioi'tii, Va. April 2% 1801.
i l)- u Time*: My utter inability to write,
promptly to tbo many friends who were promis
ed a correspondence, D ray excuse for signing my
proper initials to this communication, and hero
In also, do I assume tho full responsibility for
tho imperfections of a hurried letter, and a long
I ‘ ne, too, withal.
I The corps oh ho Oily Light Guards is made
up, a.’ you know, almost exclusively, of chris-
I tian young men. And if it should be necessary
j to baptize the liberty of our new-born C'. nfedcr-
J acy, with their blood, a convoy of bright angels
will attend their emancipated spirits to where
“tbo wicked reuse from troubling and the weary
are at rest.’’ Ilui never, uniil then, perhaps,
will they take up again, a lino ot march which
shall be grreted with a welcome like that which
has been extended to us, on all tho route from
Columbus here. If wo had been returning as
victors from a hundred hard-fought battle-fields.
1 1 we had boon making a triumphal march
through'a country which wc had just redeemed
j from tyranny, we could not have been burden
j <• 1 with in * ■re earnest bonodieUerts and blessings,
I th.m have been honed upon us everywhere,
j Every city and t-wn, and village and country
i place, sent out their teeming population -the men
to httzz.i and chcor us, tho ladies t” God-*peed
j Or, i.nd upprejs us with bright boquet*. and the
Mitilc ones lo bios# u with their sparkling eyes.
1 l will not have time t> particularize, to indict
j upon it Uui G'jnova. Butler nd For! Valley,
‘f. ireely cvr iu* tuch crowds before. And Ma
icon, wb.it a luulliludo! whit a vu of human
( Lc.i „• ihc u. tire military of the city, and tbo
i whole imputation, as we nCured the depot, sent
:up .nel mg, Inn 1 sh'’ut f welcome that made
j the very welkin ring. After a brief parade
|tL ugh the principal #iroot*, we returned to
} th-- dcr i, a'Toinfanie-i by the Macon \ olun
tCM, Uapt- Hoist. Snoth, ami the Floyd Rifles,
o*pt. Thomas Hardeman. Those two coiopa
j aics occupy, towards Mae*a, precisely the same
i rehiLioa n* du the i-uards and City light
■ ■ (JuiirJa t Columbus, embracing, us they do, the
j very pick and flower of the city. They wereor
! dried to Norfidk at the same time we were, and
| they have been anr 1” <-n companions ull the wuy
■ through.
Although wc arrived in Augusta only a little
| alter daylight. Sunday morning, the Richmond
j Hussars und Clinch Rifles, together with a large
i crowd of citizen?, attended us to the Augusta
: Hotel, whore we were well-cared for until u o'clock
i I*. M., when we were again escorted to the depot,
j Our tnen, in a body, attended divine service in
j tho foreso n,by invitation, at the First Baptist
] Church. As we passed through South Charolina
Ia burning tuthußiariu was not less manifest at
j ihe several Motions, than bad been exhibited in
j Georgia, But, for Wilmington, in North Caro
lina, w:i.< reserved the erowning glory of tho
I grandest demonstration of tho kind I ever saw
j before. Tbe little boat that conveyed us across
Cape Ft Kiv. r had tbo flag of tbe Conftder
j u'i-£tatca floating fi'-m it* mast, and the same
| beautiful flag floated over tho little vessel recent -
I ly captured in attempting to provision Fort Sum
ter, and 1/ in more than a dozen flag-staff” in
i lire ui.y it was t*atiifuliy streaming In the
j breeze. We landed on the Wilmington shore, j
amid tire booming oi cannon, Ibe ringing of bell*
and (he vociferous shout# of not lesr than seven
r eight thousand thrilling voice*. The ladleN, |
dismissing ail ordinary ceremony* shook hauda i
with all of u?, badeu* web - me and God-spec.l,
and extended tout the moss delicate attentions
while wc were (lining at the Bailroa footing
bouse, called out each of our < .rumandcJMjqJ a
speech, noil, as wo left the depot, de fr'Nfc ‘
testify the cordiality with which they received ih,
by ki- ing each member of the corps, but not
having time to “kiss around,” our gallant ‘2rep
tain a became our proxy, and when tho fair ones ‘
“presented arms,” they, of course “saluted.”
| Wilmington Uin a blaze of excitement, her
I people declare that she Is already out of the
! Union. F it Caswell i* garrisoned with 700
iEd> The riser la full of vessels- some 60 in*
| number —loading for Northern porta and detain
i ed by w” -•(’ retaliation for tim'dar detention of
Southern vesfl#!# loading in Northern ports. *
1 wish I could find word* ol expression of thlt
intend sc* < rsi< n feeling which pervade* tbo
whole Mate. At G >bbbor >, where a magnifi
cent supper was awaiting us, every window and
balcony, and high plane about the town, wa*
j crowded with ladies, and tho crowd of gentle
j men in front of the hotels was so dense, that it
’ was with difficulty that our companies pressed
j their way through. Here also, In response to
loud call* from the audience, C#pt*. Hardeman,
Mn'uh and Colquitt, made short but stirring
speech**.
J W arrived in Wilson at o'clock last
j night. This In a beautiful town in Wilson coun-
I ty. At tho late election it cast SOD votes —every
j for (recession. I suppose there wa a crowd
1 of 8,000 people, and more than half ladies—-who
had set up until that late hour waiting to see ua.
Cap#. C. \vae called oat by tho crowd, as soon ar
ihe train stopped, when after a very brief re
-poii -o from him and C*pf. H., our company
i called out Dr. D*-cnre, who for half an hour,
entertained ns with one of tho finest speeches I
• ver heard. Ho stated that the same crowd whe
were here to-night, hod expected jus tbe night
, before, end after sitting up all night bed come
again to tho depot, doterminod to sit up two !
nights longer, ruther than miss seeing us. At j
the conclusion of Dr. D.’s speech, near a hundred j
young ladies, in n body, moved up nearer the
oars, sang “Dixie” with the “spirit and the un
derstanding”—tho whole company joining in the
chorus. Our Chaplain, Bev. Thos. Jordan was !
called for by tho crowd, and I do wish I could
literally report him. It was the speech of the
wholo route, capitally peculiar and peculiarly
capital.
But my dull, descriptive letter is becoming
monotonous. lam writing on my knapsack,
surrounded by tnoro noise than I ever was ao- !
custcmcd to before. Anxious for our friends to
hoar from us early as possible, I sat down to j
wrlto within a few momonts after quitting a fu
tigulng march for our quarters iu tho Marino
Hospital at Portsmouth. Our quarters are very
comfortable and pleasant. We do not know
how long wo will be quartered hero, or when
ordered from here. Hand batteries are being
rapidly constructed and heavy guns mounted, in
anticipation of an early attack upon the city.
Ourinon here have been well, ami we arc anx-
Uus to meet the foe. A camp life is not irksome
to us, although it imposes many hardships to
which the most of us heretofore have been stran
gers; but “labor is rest and pain is sweet” in
sustaining the eause which wc havejespouied.—
The beautiful banner which wn:* presented to
the Light Guards alow months ago by one of
Georgia’s most lovely and gifted daughters,
shall lie, wherever ire follow it, a banner invi
ting only to “liberty or deaih.” Little did I
think, while listening to tho thrilling speech
with which it was presented, that / should so
soon bo marching under it to take from its un
lawful possessors, the beautiful capital of our
once glorious nation—-for Washington is certain
ly our ultimate destination.
Tho first military step 1 ever took, wus in
inarching from the armory of tho Light Gaurds
on last Saturday to tho Muscogee depot. Every
additional step towards tho enemy, confirms
my conviction that tho first atop was in the right
direction; and I foci a perfect confidence that
the cause in which wo have enlisted will tri
umph. It is just—Uod is just. Tho days of
fanaticism arc numbered; tho hand writing is
already legible on the wall, and Almighty God
is preparing soon to pour out tho vials of his
wrath through Southern guns on the blind vota
ries of a higher law theology.
We remember tiro fervent “tied bless you”
that fell from trembling parental lips, tho earn
est, fervid benediction of friends, the intense in
terest that beamed from every eye and burned iu
every parting word. That scene—the demon
strations all along the road—more than satisfy
us that God Is ou our side; and feeling thus, T
represent the stern determination of each one of
our men, which makes us vow that each will
“Asa victor exult, nr in death he laid low.
With hiafiiet to the field and his face to the toe.”
May angels guard and God defend the tender
little charge, the sweot responsibility I loft. And
now this letter goes from us burdened with
prayer.*, am] freighted with friendship’s richest
Mornings upon all our loved ones left behind.—
We will defend them here, may God protest them
i there. A ery hastily, .1. B. O.
By the Governor of Virginia.
A. PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, the Convention of this Common
wealth has, on this, the Sloth day of April, 1861,
adopted an ordinance “Cor tho adoption of the
Constitution of the Provisional Government of
the Confederate States of America;” and has
agreed to a “Convention botwoen the Common
wealth of Virginiaaud the Confederate States of
America,” which it is proper should he made
known lo the people of this Common wealth nud
to tho world: Therefore, 1, John Lktciikr,
Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, do
hereby publish and proclaim that the following
are authentic uopies of tho Ordinance and Con*
fration aforesaid.
r-—> . Given under my hand as Governor
j i m. , aud under tho seal of tho Cointnon
- wealth, at Richmond, this 25th day of
April, 1861, and in the both jreac of the Com
monwealth. JOHN LETCHER.
By tbo Governor;
OuotOK AV. Muxpohd,
Secretary of tho Commonwealth.
AN ORDINANCE
lor thr Adoption rs the Conn'it ut dm of the F rovuiunul (Jur
rrnment of the Confederate States of America ■
Wo, the delegates of the people of Virginia, in
Convention assembled, solemnly impressed by
the perils which surround tbo Commonwealth
and appealing to tho Searcher of hearts for the
recitude of our intentions in assuming the grave
responsibility of this act, do, by this Ordinance,
adopt and ratify tho Constitution of the Provis
ional Government of tho Confederate States of
America, ordained ami established at Montgome
ry, Alabama, on the eighth day of February,
eighteen hundred and sixty-one; provided thut
tills Ordinance shall cease to have any legal op
eration or effect, if the people of this Common
wealth, upon the vote directed to be ttken on the
Ordinance of Hecesaion passed by this Convcn
tiof ’ 17th day of April, eighteen hundred
• , \;d! reject tho sumo.
A tine Copy,
-IfkJ. L. Eubank,
Secretary.
j Contention between the Cooiniouwealth of Fl>-
iliuia and the Confederate States of Amerir a .
The Componwealth of Virginia, looking to a
■pcedy union of said Commonwealth and the
other slave States with the Confederate States
ot America, according to thu provisions of the
Constitution of the Provisional Government of
said States, enter into the following temporary
convention and agreement with said States for
tho po -c of meeting pressing exigencies aflec
t;h ‘ . ci urn on rights, interest ood safety of
*;o i o- mmonwualth ami said Confederacy.
I *f. I ntii the union of *uid Common wealth
with said Confederacy shall be perfected, and
said Commonwealth shall becorao a member of
sail Confederacy, according to the Constitutions
of both powers, tho whole military force and
military operations, offensive aud defensive, of
t r said Commonwealth, in the impending conflict
with the United States, shall be under the chief
control and direction of the President of said
Confederate States, upon the samo principles,
basis and footing an if saul Commonwealth were
now, and during the interval, a member of said
Confederacy.
2d. The Commonwealth of A irginia will, after
the consummation of tho Union contemplated in
this Convention, and her adoption es tho Consti
tution for a permanent Government of the said
Confederate States, and she shall become a rncin
lier of said Confederacy under said permanent
Confutation, if the same occur, turn over to the
said Confederate States all the public property,
naval stores, and munitions of war, Ac., she may
then be in possession of, acquired from the Unf-
K tales, on the ame terra* and in like manner as
the other States of said Confederacy have dono
in like cases.
.‘td. Whatever expenditures of money, if any,
said Commonwealth of Virginia shall make be
fore tho Union, under the Provisional Govern
ment as above contemplated shall be consumma
ted, shall he root and provided for by said Con
federate Staten.
This Convention entered into and agreed to,
in the city of Richmond, A'a., on the 2 1 th day
of April, 1801, by Alexander 11. Stephens, the
duly authorized Commissioner to act in the mat
ter for tho said Confederate State-, and John
Tyler, William Ballard Preston, Sam’l McD-
Moore, James P. Holcombe, James C. Bruce,
and Lewis E. Harvie, parties duly authorised to
act in like manner for said Commonwealth of
Virginia—the whole subject to.the approval and
ratification of the proper authorities of both go
vernments respectively.
THE SOYER EIGNTV IIP TIIE STA TES.
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA. MONDAY, AIAY li, 1801.
In testimony whereof, the parties aforesaid
j have hereto si t thoir hands and seals, tho day
| and year aforesaid, and at tho place aforesaid
in duplicate orlgtna'a.
Alex. H. Htkpiikns, (Seal.]
Commissioner for Confederate States.
Joint Tyler, [Soah]
AYm. Ballard Piu.stox, [Seal.] Cotmuhr 4
H. McD. Moore, (Seal.) sioneers
Jamkr P.Uolcomuk. (Seal.| for
James C. Bruce, [Seal.l Virginia.
Lrwis K. llarvh:, (Seal.]
Approved amt ratified by the Convention us
A’irginia, on the ?sth dnv of April, 1801.
JOHN JAN NEW Pros’*.
John I*. KrfiVNK, Seo’y.
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT.
i To the Special Session of the Congress Convened
ut Montgomery, April 2Or A, ,1801.
Gentlemen or the Conuiirhs:
It is my pleasing duty to anuouuce to you that
tho Constitution framed for tho establishment of a
permanent government for the Confederate States
has been ratified by Conventions in each ofthoso
States to which it was referred. T > inaugurate
tho government in its full proportions and upon
its own substantial Mgbf of too popular will.it
only remains that cloctiene .should bo hold for the
designation of the officers to administer it.
There is every reason t,. believe that at no dis
tant day, other States identified iu politic*! priu
clplos nud community of interests with those
which you represent will join thin Confederacy;
I giving to its typical constellation increased upleu
dor—to its government of free, equal and sover
i sign States u wider sphere of ugetuluc**—and to
p tho friends of constitutional liberty a greater
security for its harmonious and perp.tual cxis
■ tonee.
It was not, however, for the purpose ofinakiug
; this announcement that I have doomed it wy du
( ty to convoke you at an earlier day than that
fixed by yourselves for your mooting. The dec
* laration of war mado against this Confederacy
* by Abraham Lincoln, tho President of the United
r States, In his proclamation issued tin tho fifteenth
day of the present month, rend, rod it necessary,
in my judgment, that you mould convene nt tho
earliest practicable inotueut, to dcvUe the moan
i urea necessary for the defense of the country.
, The occasion is Indeed un extraordinary one.
It justifies mo in a brief review of the relations
f heretofore existing between us and the States
s which now unite in warfare against us, and iu a
{ sucoinctstatement of the events which Imvo re
t suited in this warfare; to the end that mankind
may pass intelligent and impartial judgment on
” its motives and objects.
f Duriug tho war waged against Groat Britain
9 by her colonies on thin continent, u ■ <umnon dan
gor impelled them to a close alliance, and Lithe
* formation of a Confederation, by tlm terms of
s which th colonies, styling them.suive - Mates, cn
. torod tl sererully into a firm league of friedmdiip
with each other lbr their common defense, tho
, security of thoir liberties, and their mutual and
gcuerni welfare,binding themselves to ussisteach
- other against all force offered to, <r attacks made
_ upon them or any of them, on account of reli
gion, sovereignty, trade or any other protons*)
II whatever,”
In order to guard against any mi.-construction
y of their compact, the several Sl ate.- inudo explicit
j declaration, iu a distinct article, that “each .State
retains its sovereignty, freedom and iiulepen
f don-e, and every power, jurisdiction and right
which is not by this Confederation opreetly </r/-
egatviUn the United States in Congress’ n.'sem
„ bled.”
Under tliis contract ol alliance, the war of the
r revolution wus successfully waged, and resulted
, In the treaty of peace with Great Br.taiu in 1752,
by the terms of which the several States were,
‘* iu<h I.y name, recognized t* bo independent,
it The article of confederation enntaiued a clause
whereby all alterations were prohited, unless
confirmed by the Legislatures of every Slat >•, after
11 being agreed to by tlie Congress; and in obodi
onco to this provision under the resolution ofCon
grotts of tho 21st February, 1787, tho several
States appointed delegate* who attended a con
vention “for the sole mid .<//>. ••* purpose of re
vising tlio articles of coufedertti inn, and report
- ing to Congress and tho several Legislatures,
t auch alterations and provision# therein as shall
e when agreed to in Congress, mid run firmed by
the Statu, render lhe Federal Consti ution ade
’ quate to the exigencies ul government ad tho
9 preservation of the Union.”
It was, by tho delegates chosen, by tho several
States, under tho resolution just quoted, that tho
’ Constitution of the United Slates was framed in
v 1787, and submitted to the several States for rut-
J ification, as shown by the 7lh article, which is in
t these words :
’ “The ratification ofth* ('unrtnlione oj aim
0 States shall l>e sufficient for the establishment of
g this Constitution iiktwken the States, *o ratifying
s the same,”
I have italicised certain words iu . the quota
tions just made, for tho purpose of attracting at
r tontion to the singular and niaracd caution with
- which the Staten endeavored, in every possible
and form, to exclude the idea that tho separate and
i- independent sovereignty of each Flute was merg
ed into nno common government and nation;
and the earnest desire they evinced to impress
on the Constitution its true character that *l’
a compact hktwkkn independent States.
Tho Constitution of 1787 having, however,
omitted the clause already recited from the arti
cles of Confederation, which provided in explicit
. tonus that each State retained ito sovereignty
and independence, some alarm was felt in the
States when invited to ratify tho Constitution,
lest this omission should 1 c construed into an
y abandonment of their cherished principle, aud
r they refused to bo untixlied until amendments
Q were added to the Constitution, placing beyond
any pretense of doubt, the reservation by the
States, of all their sovereign rights and power.
J * not expresHly delegated to the United States
i- by the Conititutlon.
,1 Strange indeed must it appear to the impartial
observer, hut it is none the less true, thut all
there carefully worded clauses proved uua
r vailing to prevent the rbo and'growth in tho
Northern States of a political school which has
persistently claimed that the government thus
’* formed wus not a compact £/ice* >i St itor, hut
wax in effect a national government, sot. up übuve
e and <ar the States. An organization, created
_ by the State to secure the blessings ol liberty
, aud independence against foreign aggression, has
been gradually perverted into a machine for their
control in their domestic uliuirs: thi enSfurs hai
bean exalted above its creator*: the p>uu ipuls
have been made subordinate to the agent Appoint
ed by them**lves.
The people of tho Southern Elutes, whna al
most exclusive occupation wan agricultural, early
perceived a tendency in the Northern Stales to
H render the common government subservient to
0 their ewu purposes, by imposing burthen* on
>H commerce us h protection to their manufacturing
t . and shipping interests. Long and angry contro
f vorsy grew ou of these attempts, ofton success-
Y All, to benefit one section of the country at th*
r expense of the other: anil the danger of disrup
. tion arising from this cause was increasing by
f immigration and other causes in a greater ratio
than the population of the South. By degrees
~ as the Northern States gained preponderance iu
j the National Congress, self interest taught their
f people to yield ready assent to any plausible ud
„ vocaoy of thoir right as a majority to govern the
1 minority without control; they learned to listen
f with impatience to the suggestion of any eon
t stitulional impediment to the exercise of their
f will; and so utterly have tho principles of tho
I Constitution been corrupted in the Northern
mind, that in the inaugural address delivered by
’ J President Lincoln iu March luat, ho assorts as an
j axiom which ho plaiuly dooms undeniable, that
tho theory of the Constitution requires that in all
r cases the majority shall govern ; and in another
, memorable instance, the same Chief Magistrate
did not hesitate to liken the relations between a
j State and tho United States to those which exist
between a county and the State in which it is
t situated and by which it was created. This is
j the lamentable and fundamental error bn which
rests tho policy that has culminated in his decla
\ \ ration of wur against these Confederate States.
1 In addition to the long continued and deep sea*
j ted resentment felt by the Southern States at the
j persistent abuse of tho powers they had delega
ted to the Congress, for the purpose of enriching
the manufacturing and shipping classes of the
> North at the expense of the South, there has ex
isted for nearly half a century another subject of
discord, Involving interests of such transcendent
magnitude, us at all times to create the upprehen
sion in the minds of the many devoted lovers of
the Union, that its permanency wus impossible.
When tho several States delegated certain
powers to tho United Stales Congress, a largo
i portion of the laboring population consisted of
African slaves imported into tho colonies by the
mother country. In twelve, out of thirteen
States,negro slavery existed, and the right * f
property In slaves was protected by saw.
property was recognizedyn the ConstltuitenKfrd
r provision was made against its loss by the escape
lof th* slave. The increase in the number of
slaves by further importation from Africa was
also secured by a oltuit forbidding Congress to
prohibit the slave trade anterior to a certain
date; and :n no clauae *'an there bo found any
delegation of power to tho Congren- authorizing i
it in any manner to legUlatc to the prejudice, j
detriment or direouragouient of the owners of
that species of property, or excluding it from tho
• protection of tho government.
Tho climate ami soil of the Northern Males
soon proved nnpropitlous to the continuance of
slave labor, whilst the cod verse wnsthoc.no at
the South. 1 inter tho unrestricted free inter
oourse between tho two sections, tho Northern
State*consulted their own interest by sdliug ibtdr
si a vos to the Foulh, aud prohibiting slavery
within their limits. Thu South were willing
purchaser* of a property suitable to their want*,
and paid tho price of tho acquisition without har
boring a suspicion that their quiet possesion
was to ho disturbed by those who were inhibited,
not only by want of oonstitutiomd authority, but
by good laitb as vendor*; from di.-qtiieting a title
emanating from themselves.
A> soon, however, a* the Northern Mates that
prohibited African slavery within their limits had j
reached u number .sufficient to give thoir repre- j
sentatlon a controlling voice in the Congress, n I
persistent and organised system of hostile men. - j
urea against lie right* of tho owner* 6f slaver in !
tho Southern State* was Inaugurated, uml grad
ually extended. A continuous series ol'iuuuaure* i
wasleviaetl and prosecuted tor tho purpose of
rendering insecure the tenure of property in
slave*; fanatical organixutuius, supplied with
money by voluntary .-übacriptions, were astridu
ously engaged in exciting amongst tho slaves a
sprit of discoutont and revolt; means were fur
nished for thoir cscapo from their owners, and
agent* secretly employed to entice them to nl>-
constitutional provbion for their rendi
tion to their owners was first invaded, then open
ly denounced as a violation of conscientious obli
gation and religious duty ; men wore taught that
it was a merit lo elude, disobey, and violently
oppose the execution of the laws enacted to re
cure ihc performance of tho promise contained
in tho constitutionsl * * inpaol : owners of slaves
wore mobbed uml even murdered iu .‘pen day,
solely for applying to a magistrate for the arrest
of a fugitive slave , tho doguuis of these volunta
ry organizations soon obtained control of the
legislatures of many ot tho Northern State*; und
laws were passed providing for the puni*biULiit
by ruinous fines and long continued imprisonment
iu jails and penitentiaries, of citizen* of tbo
Houthorn State*, who bould dure to ask aid of
tho officers ot iho law for the recovery of their
property. Kuihnrabuuti by success, the theatre
of agitation uml aggression against the clearly
expressed constitutional rights of the Southern
Slate* was transferred to the Congress ; Senators
and Representatives were sent to the common
councils of tho nation, whose ehlof titlo to this
distinction oi nsisted in the display of a spirit of
, ultra fanaticism, and whose husine** wn-, not
• “to promote the general welfare >r ensure
domestic tranquility,” but to awaken tho hitter
est hatred against tho citizens of sister Slates by
, violent denunciation of their institutions: the
transaction of public ufiairt was impeded by re
peated effort* to usurp power not delegated hv
the Constitution, for the purpose of impairing
tho security of property in slaves, and reducing
, iboNo State* which held slave*, to a condition of
inferiority. Finally, a great party was orgun
i i/ad for thepurposu ol obtaining the administra
tion ot tho government, with the avowed object
i of u.-ing its power forjtho total exclusion ol the
tda\e Stale* from all participation in the benefits
of the public domain, acquired by all the States
in common, whether by compand or purchase;
of surrounding them entirely by States in which
slavery should be prohibited: of thu* rendering
i the property in slave* so insecure ns to bo coui
[ parativcly worthies . aud (hereby annihilating
, in cfVect properly worth thousand* of million* of
, ’ dollar*. Thi* parly, thu* organized, succeeded
in the month oi November lust, in tho election of
, its candidate for the Fresidcmy us tin* United
j State*.
r In the meantime, under tho mild and genial
. climate of tho ftoutbarn Rtnto*. and the inerous
. mg core and attention tor tho well-being aud
| cumfort of tho laboring < lu**, dictated alike by
interest and humanity, the African slaves had
augmented in number from shout 600,0 DD, at the
date of the adoption of the constitutional rniu
, pact, to upwards of •1,000,000. In moral and so
[ oint condition, they bad been elevated from bru
tal suvagcn into doolie, intelligent and civilized
agricultural laborers, and supplied not only with
bodily comfort* but with cundul religious in
struction. Under tho supervisi nos a superior
\ race, their labor had been *•< directed us not only
j to allow a gradual and marked amelioration of
i their own condition, but to convert, hundreds of
. thousand* of gqaro miles of tho wilderness into
, cultivated lands, covered with a pio.-pcrous peo
ple; towns and oitic.’had sprung into existence,
and had rapidly increased in wealth ami popula-
I tlon under the social system •! the South; the
. white population of the Southern alaveholding
State* had augmented from about 1,250,000, at
tho adoption of the Constitution, to mure* titan
. S,.UO,t'OU in I860; and the produe:mn of the
, South in cotton, rice, sugar, and tobacco, for the
, full development and eontinunneo ot whic* 1 . the
1 labor of African slaves was, nod Is, indispensable,
hnd swollen to an amount which formed nearly
; three-fourth? of the exports of ibe whole I Tilted
, States, and had become üb.tohiteiy necessary to
f the want* of civilizcn man.
With iiiterc.its ol such overwhelming magnitude
, imperilled, the people of the Southern States were
driven by the North to the adoption of some
i course of action to avert the danger with winch
they were openly menaced. With this view, the
j legislature* of the several States invited the pea
, pie t<‘ select delegate* to Convention- to he held
i lor tbv purpose of determining On themselves
I what measure were beat adapted to meet so
< alarming a crisis in their history.
| Here it ntuy bo proper to observe that front
. a period aaearly us iTteS, there had existed in
all of the States of the Union u party, almost
n uninterruptedly iu the majority, baaed upon the
creed that each Slate was in the last resort,
| the .so:e judge ua well of it* wrongs, ax of the
i mode und measure of redress. Indeed it is
. obvious, that under the law of nations, this
j principle is an axiom as applied to the relations
i of independent sovereign Slates, such hs those
t which hud united themselves under the eon
vtitutionul compuct. The Deniocrntie party ol
the I . State*, repented unt* successful cunvu**
I m ihGO, the declaration made mi numerous pre
r vious political contests, that it would ‘f<uilifui
> ly abide by and uphold the principles laid down
r in the Kentucky und Virginia resolutions of
j 1 . *B, aud in the report of Mr, Madison to the
i Virginia Legislature in 170’.i; and thut it adopts
those principles us constituting one of the
main foundation., of it* political creed.”
The principles thus emphatically announced,
,■ embrace that to which I have already ndvirted,
, thu right of each state tu judge of, and redress
, the wrongs of which it corn plait.'-. ‘ITm • prln
i ciplc* were maintained by overwhedming majori
f tie* of the people of all tho Mutes f the Union at
different eloatlons, especially in tho election* oJ
Mr. Jefferson in 1805. Mr. Madison in l -o'i, and
Mr. Pieree in 1862.
In the exorcise of u right so mu tot)t, so well
establiecd, and so neces-.iiry lor “If preservation,
the people of the Confedcinto Mules in their
Conventions, determined that tin* wrongs which
they Imd suffered, und tlm evils with which they
were menucud, required thut thev should revoke
tho delegation of powers to Iho Federal Govern
ment which they hud ratified in thoir several Con
ventions. They conboquently passed ordinances
rowuming all their right* oh sovereign and inde
pendent Mates, und dissolved their connection
with tho other States of th# Union.
llaviug done this, they proceeded to form a
now compact amongst themselves, by new arti
cles of Confederation, which have been also
ratified by tbo conventions of the several States
with an approach to unanimity fur excoo dng
that of thu conventions which adopted the Con
stitution of 1787. Thoy havo organized their
new government in all its department.-; the
functions ’of the Executive, Legislative, and
Judicial Magistrates arc peformod in accordance
with the will of tho people as displayed, not
merely n cheerful acquiescence*, but in tho en
thusiastic support of the government thu* o*
tubiisbed by themselves; and but for the inter
ference of the government oftbe United Mates
iu this legitimate exercise of tho right of u people
to self government, peace, happiness aud pros
perity would now smile on our land.
That peace is ardently desired by this govern
ment and people, has been manifested iu every
possible form. Scarce hud you assembled in Feb.
ru ary last, when, prior even to the inauguration
of the Chief Magistrate you had elected, you
passed a resolution expressive of your desire for
the appointment, of commissioner* to bo rent to
tho government of the United .‘•'tales “for tbe
purpose of negotiating friendly relations between
that goveruinent and tbe Con fed rate Status of
America, and for the settlement of all question#
of disagreement* between tho tw<> governments
upon principles of right, justice, equity and good
I Haiti.”
It was my pleasure a* well a* my duty, tu
. co’Operate with you in this work of peace. In
flood, in my address to you ou tsking the outh
Os office, und before receiving from yon the com
munication of this resolution, I had said, “s a
necessity, not a choice, wc have resorted to tire
remedy of separation, and henceforth oar eucr
j gio* must bo directed to the conduct of qtyf own
! affairs and tho perpetuity of tho Confederacy
which i‘ have formed. If a just perception of
mutual interest .-hull permit u* j*ceeaply to pur- ,
1 sm . ui -apnrato political career, my most ear
nest desire will have been fulfilled.”
It was iu furl Imran ce of these accordant views
iho CongrOs* and tho 1 mado
choice id’ three discreet, übiel and distinguished
idtizew, win- repaired U Washington. Aided by
their eordiul co-operation, and that of the Sec
retary of State, every offorf compatible with
self-respect and the dignity of the Confederacy,
was, exhausted before 1 allowed inyioll to yield
to tho conviction that the goverment of tho Uni* ,
tod State* was determined to attempt the con*
quest of thi* people, and that our cherished hopes
of pence wore unattainable.
On the arrival of our Commi*Moner.* in AVn-h
----i ington.oii tho sth March, they postpuucd, at ttie
j suggestion of u friendly intermediary, doing
I more than giving informal notice of thoir arri
val. This vvui done with a view to afford time
to the Fresldont who had just been nauguruted,
j for the discharge of other pressing official duties
I in the organization of his administration, before
( engaging bis attention in the object of their mis
i I sion. it was not until the 12th ui’ the month
’ j that they officially addressed tho ,Secretary of
Mute, informing him of tho purposes of their ar
rival. and stating in the language of their in
structions their wish “to tuako to tho govern
ment ot tho United States overture- lor tho open
ing of negotiations, ausuring the government of
I the United Mates, that tho President, Congress
aud poople of tho Confederate Mates, earnestly
• ! desiro a peaceful solution of these groat question);
that it is neither their Interval nor their wish to
- make any doumud which is not founded on strict
[ vst justice, tiOr do any act to injure their late
1 confederates.”
To thi* communication no formal reply was
l received until tho Bth of April. During tho in -
t torval, the Comuu mm-r* bud com cnted tu waive
, uII quest ion •< of form With the (inn lu.olvo to
t avoid war, if possible, they went so far, even, a*
• to hold, during that long period, unofficial inter
s course, through an intermediary, wlo so high po-
I lit Inn and character inspired the hope of success,
t und through whom constant assurance* ware ro
t ceived from tho Government of tho United States,
sos peaceful intentions. of tho determination to
f evacuate Fort Sumter; and further, thut flu
r measure, changing tho existing status prejudi-
chilly to tb Confederate States, especially ut
i Fort Dickon- , was in contemplation, but that in
i tho event of any change of intention on the >ub
a ject, notice would bo given to the Commissioners,
v Tho ernokid path* of diplomacy can s.areely fur
s nisli an example so wantiug in curt##y, in can
s dor, and directnc s, as was the course ul the U.
i States Government towards our Onnimtesionera
i* in Wu.-b ing ton.
Karly in April tho attention of tho whole eoun
v try, as well a* that of tfio CommiM'ioners, was
o attracted to extraordinary preparations tor an
- extensive military anti naval oxpeditin in New
.• York and other nnrthern port*. These prepaia
t tion.-, commenced iu secrecy, for an expedition
t ! whoso destination was concealed, only became
I known when nearly completed, und on the sth,
- tith and Till April, transport* and vessels of war,
with troops, munition’ and military supplies,
t sailed from northern port* bound southwards.—-
o Alarmed by *•* extraordinary a demonstration,
* the Comm vdonors requested thu delivery ol an
s answer to their official eommunicaelon of tlio
; 12th March, ami thereupon received, on tho Bth
h April, a reply dated on tho 15th of tho previous
g mouth, from whic-h it appears ihat, during the
- whole interval, whil.-t the t’oininissiouers wore
g receiving assure nee* calculated to inspire hope
and of tbo success ot their miion, tho Mrcrctury of
and Mate and the President rd'tho United States hud
and already determined to hold no intercourse with
and them whatever: to roiut-e even to listen to any
proposals they had lo mako, and hnd profited by
il the delay created by their own assurances, in or
i dor to prepare secretly the uicuns of effective hos
d tile operation*.
y That these assurance* were given, bus been
and virtually confessed by iito Government of the
e United State* by its sending u messenger to
- Charleston, to give notice of it* purpose, to re
force, if opposed in its intention of supplying
Fort Sumter. No more striking proof of the r.b
----1 Hence of good faith in tho conduct of the ,overa
ll mont of the United States towards thi* Con fed- ,
i* oracy can be required than is contained in tbe 1
>r circumstances which accompanied this notice
y According to the usual cour*u of navigation, the
if vessels composing tho expedition designed for
<f tbe relief ol Fort Sumter, might Ik- expected to
o reach Charleston harbor on the t'th of April: yet
with our CotQinlssioner* actually in Washington,
■, detained trader that notice should lie
i- given ofany military movement, the notion wn*
o not addressed tu them, but a nic-i-engcr waa sent
g to Charleston to give tho notice in the Governor
it South Carolina, and tbe notice wuh.sugiven nt
n a laic hour on tho Bth of April, the. event’ the
e very day on which the fleet might be expected tu
e arrive. That this mncmuvro failed iu itspur
e pose whs not the fault of tbo*v nhu contrived it.
•. A heavy tempest delayed the arrival of the c\
y pedition, and gave time to tho commander of our
and force* at Charleston to ask and receive the in
o struct ion.* of this government. Even then, un
der all the. provocation incident to the eonUmp
e tnoli* refusal to Fsteu to our Commissioner*, and
the tortuous course of the linvcrmmul ol tho
United State*, 1 was sincerely anxion* to avoid
h tho ifl'u.di ii id’ blood, and directed a proposal to
o bo made to the commander of Fort Sumter, who
- j hud avowed bin-self to bo nearly out of provis-
I ioufl, that wo would üb.-tain from directing our
s I fire on Fort Sumter if In would promise not to
o open fire on fi r force-- unies* fir. t attacked.—
Thi* piopotjol v J refits* and aud the conclusion
n I was reached, tl. Tie de*ign of the United States i
a i was to place tin > c* eging force ut Charleston be
t I tween the •’iiuui >ijs file of the lb ct and the
e fort. Tin ic r-Mii - . t, therefore,no alternative but
I, to direct (hat the fort i bould at oi bo reduced,
p This order was exeeuud l>y Gca. Lcnuregntd,
* j with tho skill andsucco* which wc;-. i .turully
h j to i o expected from tbe well know.-, c'l.iraoler of
j that gallant officer: and ulthoiq'h tin bum bard
i- j men! lusted blit tbirly-thiec b'mi *. mr fl ig iid
{ not r: vi iver lfn I attired wall*, ud!lJ after the
I appearam-c of the hostile fi< hi off LTm!'• (••.
*IJO lUO itcly no! a III'.: W h.j-t Oil l,i;r hide, Hil l
I wo were grotlfi din being spared tin • ucessity
-of a usolcfi* < ffasimi of blood by the prml. of cau
i tion (.he officer who commanded the fleet, in
f abstaining fro ui the evidently futile effort toon
if ter tbo baber for l e relic of Msjor Anderfno. I
s refer to the report of tho Hoc ret ary of War and
i- : tL< p per* which uecompany it IT lur'be-r detail,
j of tuis brilliant all tir.
I, I In thi counactioii 1 c nqot retrain Irom a
I, well-deserved tribute to Iho noble ritate. the etui
s limit soldisrly qualities of nrhos< people were * .
- conspicuously displayed in the port of ( h*itea
ton. Fur uiouttir they hadluon irritated by the
t spectacle of a fortress held within their priuci-
I pal harbor, a. u btundlng menace against their
I pew”# and indcptii'U-nci. Bui It in part with
tho rown money, it* custody confided with their
i own consent to an agent who held no pow er over
, them other than hi.cli as they lad thciuaclve*
r delegated for their own bem fit, intended to be
i used l>y that agent lor their own protection
/ ugain*t foreign attack, they -aw if held with per
i sistent teiiaoity ana means of offense against
- them by the very government which they had
- established tor their protection. T hey hud lx--
i luaguered it for months—-felt entire confidence in
- their power io capture iL—yet yielded to the re
i j Z|uireuients of discipline, curbed thoir impatience,
submitted without complaint to thu unaccin
i touiod hardships, labors und privation* of a pro.
trnoted scigo ; and when ut length thoir pntionco
i wa* rewarded by tbo signal for attack, and sue*
f cc*s had crowrn and their steudy and gallant ron
; duct—even in the very moment of triumph—they
• evinced a chivalrous regard for tho feelings of
• the brave but unfortunutu officer who had been
j compelled to lower his ting. All maoilest#llona
I of exultation were checked in hisproieiicfF T heir
i com in an ding general, with their cordial approval
! and the consent of his government, refrained
from Imposing uny terms that could wound tlio
I sensibilities ot tho com man dor of the for* He
was permitted to retire with the bolter* of mr
i | —to salute bis Hag, to depart freely with ail his
oominunU, and was escorted to tho vessel In
which he embarked, with the highest marks ol
respect from those again -1 whom hi* guns hud
been so recently directed. Not only doe a every
event connected with the siege reflect the high
est honor on South Carolina, hut the forbearance
i of her people and of this government, from nia*
i king any harsh use of a victory obtained under
‘ circumstances of such peculiar provocation .attest
1 to the fullest extent the absence of any purpose
beyond securing thoir own tranquility, and tie
i .sincere desire to avoid the calamitivb of war.
I J Soorcely hud tho President of the United
Hlutos received intelligence of the failure “I'tUe
1 ! scheme which he had devised for the reinforce
I merit of Fort Sumter, wheu lie issued the de
claration of war against the Confederacy which
1 has prompted me to convoke you. In this ev
■ traordiuary production, that high functionary
i afleetf total ignorance of tbe existence of an In
dependent Government, which, ps*esiug the
i entire and enthusiastic devotion of its ;*eople, is
exorcising u* functions without question over
seven (sovereign States—over more than five
millions of people—ami over n territory
whose urea extend* halt* a million of squnre
miles. He terms sovereign Mates “combinations
too power Ail to be suppressed by tho ordinary
course of judicia! proceedings, or by tlio powers
vested in the marshals by law. He calls tor an
army of seventy-live thou send men to act as a
vninitotun in aid of tho pruce* us the courts
■jf justice iu Mates where no court* exist whoso
mandate* and decrees arc not cheerfully obeyod
and rciipcdcd by a willing people lie avows
that “the //of t.ervice tn be assigned to the force*
called out,” w ill be, itel to execute the proccis of
courts, but to capture fort* and strong holds sit
uated within tho admitted limits of thi* Gonfed
oraoy, and garrisoned by its troops;und declares
that “this ell ‘ll” is intended “to maintain tho
perpetuity of popular government.” He con
cludes hy commanding “iho persons composing
the combination# aforesaid,” to wit: the Ure mil
lion* of inhabitants of these States, “to retire
peaceably t.. their respective abodes within twen
ty day*.”
Apparently ('"utradictory a* are tho terms of
thi singular document, one point waa unmis
takably evident. The President of the United
Mates called for an army of seventy-five thou
sand men, whose />*f service was to capture our
t<>rt*. It was a plain declaration of war which I
was not at liberty to disregard, because of my
knowledge that under the Constitution of the
United Matos the President was usurping a power
granted exclusively to the Congress. He is the
sole organ of communication between that coun
try and foreign powers. Tho luw ot nations did
not permit mo to question the authority of the
Executive of a foreign nation to declare war
against this Confederacy. Although I might
have refrained Loin taking active measure* for
■mr dr on re, if the States of tho Union had ail
imitated the action of Virginia, North CaroDna,
\rkun*as, Kentucky, Tennessee nud Missouri, by
denouncing the call for troops as an unconstitu
tional usur; atiuii of power to which they refused
to respond, l wa* not at liberty to disregard tho
fact thut many of tlio Status seemed quite content
to submit to the exercise of the power assumed
by the I*resident ot the United States, and were
actively engaged in lev) ing troops to bo Used fqr
tbu purpose indicated iu the proclamation.
Deprived of the aid of Congress ut the moment,
I wn* under the necessity of confining my action
to a call ou tho States for volunteers for the com
mon defence, iu accordance with tho authority
you had rowfided to ure before vour adjournment.
1 deemed it proper further tu issue proclamation
inviting application from persona disposed to aid
our defence in private armed vessel.-■ on tbe*bigh
.•ca I '. to the end that preparations might bo mado
for the immediate issue < f letters of marque and
reprisal, which you alone, under the Constitution,
have pewer to grant. I entertain no doubt you
will concur with me in tho opinion that in the
absence of a fleet of public vt-sels, it will be emi
nently expedient to supply their plnce'by private
armed vessel*, so happily styled by the publicists
of the United States “the militia of the sea,” and
so often und justly relied on by them as uu ef
ficient and admirable instrument of warfare. I
earnestly recommend tho immediate passage of
a law authorising mo to accept the numerous
proposals already received.
I cannot cloho this review of tlio acts of the
goveri.ment of the United Mates‘without refer
ring to a proclamation issued by thoir President
under date of tho Ifilh inst, in which, after de
claring that an insurrection has broken out in
ihi* Confederacy against tbe government of the
United Stales, ho announce* a blockade of all the
ports of these States, and threatens to puni.sU a*
pirate* all persons who shall molest any vessel of
the United Ma es under letUrsof marque issued
by tills Government. Notwithufanding thu au
thenticity nf this proclamation, you wiil concur
with me that it is hard to believe it could have
emanated from a President of the United States.
It* announcement of a uure paper Idockode i* ao
UMMiifc.- tly violation of the law of nations, that
it would seem incredible that it cuuld have been
issued by authority ; but conceding this to be the
ca*e,*so far as the Executivcis concerned, it will be
difficult to satisfy tbe people of these States that
their fate confederates will sanction its declara
tions,’will determine to ignore thouaagcsofciviliz
ed nations, and will inaugurate a war of extermi
nation ou potli sit!*-*, by treating as pirates, open
enemies acting under the uulhority id commissions
issued by an organized government. If such
l proclamation wus issued, it could ouly have been
( published under the sudden influence of passion,
and we may rest assured mankind will bo spared
the horrors of the ■•••iillict it scorns lu invite.
For tin detail* of the administration nf the
different department*. I refer to tho reports id
the Secretaries which accompany tins message.
Ihe State •artuu nt ha* furnished the nec
essary instructions for three commis*ion#ts who
have been *< nt to England, France, Russia and
Belgium, since ymir adjournment, to ask our re
cognition a* u member of the family of nations,
and to make with each of there powers treaties ol
amity and commerce. Further mops will be taken
i t i enter into like negotiation* with the other
j European powers in pursuance of your rosolu
tmil* passed nt the last session. Sufficient time
bus not yet elapsed sine# tbe departure of these
commissioners for the receipt of any intelligence
from them. As I decro it dflsiUihl# that commis
xionei* nr other dq.h ui.i i i. should also be
sent at an early period to the ii.dependant Arrieri
c.in | ‘<yv#i* soot of our Confederacy, wdiU ull ot
wh- mi ii te mr n.(crest and earnest w ish to main
tain t‘i< ui. *t cordial und friendly relations, I
suggest the expediency of making the necessary
appropriations for that purpose.
il.iv r g been officially notified Ly tbe public
nuthorii es nf the 8(010 ol Virginia that she Lad
withdrawn from the Union, and dcsircd*(o main
tain the closest political rehiMonfl with us which
it w.is possible nt the time to establish, i eoiu
j missioned tho lion. Alexander 11. Stephens, Vic#
IV. Gdci.t of the Confederate States, to repre nerd
ibi* tveruii.cnfal Richmond. 1 Li*pp> lj
Wit.-, in you thut i> ha* c- r,t>-d 1 vti.iiun
with tL .'tale of Virgiuiu, by which that honored
( ■ imm. l ue.iliL. m long und jutfcty dietinguisbod
amoug Lcr sis.cr States, aud *0 dour to the heart*
nt thousand her children in tho Confederate
Status, hut united imr power and her fortunes
with / ore, end lu c. n.- one of us. This •conven
tion, P-gtthir with Iho nrdinaiicv of Virginia,
adopt "l g Hi. |1 • v isi. i iil 1. ‘mi 1 of the Con
federacy, wiil la* hud hot of#'y mi lor your con
ftiluttmuil aciiun. I 1. itt sat sfartoiy n**uranee*
liom other • f out late nlcdcr'..i * !,at they are
•oi Ibe point of ado; ting dir io- u urcs, and I
cannot doubt (hut ere you bn t en ninny
wo. I.* in * Mi>n, tlio wli"’ , Ijo *h-c 1. Idiug
Status of the laic Union, wM re/pond to thu call
■ f hoi r utid afi'eutiuf). aod by in i?i • thoir
fortunes with mm, propi .taour fmt .moii interest*
and seeurc “r c'-mmon safety,,
In 1 o Treasury Department, regulations have
l< I, 'devised and put into execution f< r carrying
nut the policy indicated in vour legislation on Hie
*pbjcet of tho navigation of the Mi dreippi rivur,
n wall a* for th# ediife{.i(Mi ‘f voi u* on the
frontier. Free transit ha* been siei.teJ tor v
and mcrchundiso passing threugli iho Coufoder
ut# .State*: and delay und mconvcnicnco havo
been avoided r* far as poraiblo iu organizing tbo
ivvenuo crvlco for the various rail-ways enter
ing our territory. As fast as experience hall
iudicitc tbo possibility of improvement in these
regulation*, no effort will bo spared ‘to free com
merce from nil ttnnecc ary cmharru-soisnts and
obstruct on*.
Under y>ur act authorizing a loan, proposals
were issued inviting subscription* lor live mil
lions of dollars, and the cull was answered by
tlio prompt subscription of more than eight mil
lion* by our own citizens, and not a single bid
was made under par. Tho rapid development
of the purpose of the President of the United
State* to invade our soil, capture our forts,
blockade our ports, and wugo wur against us,
iiiducud me to direct that (he entire subscription
should be accepted. It will now become neces
sary to raise means to a touch larger amount to
defray the expenses of maintaining - ur indepen
dence and repelling invasion. I invite your
special ; t ten lion to this subject, and the financial
condition ol the govcrnimnf, with tho suggestion
of way ; and means ter the supply of tbo Treas
ury, will ho presented to you in a separate com
munication.
To tho Department of Juntico you hare mnli
ded not only tlio organization and supet’ iion
of ull matters connected with the <’ art. 1 i .I"**
tlce, but nlso those connected with a and
witii the bureau of public printing.
Since your adjournment all the court*, witii
the exception i those in Mississippi and Texas
havo been organ tec I by the appointment of
Marnbal* and District Attorneys, and are now
prepared for the exoroise of their functions.
1 1, the two Muiu* Just named, the gentlemen
confirmed a* judges, declined to accept the ap
pointment, and no nominations have yet been
made to fill tbe vacancies, I refer you tu the
report Us tbs Attorney General, end concur in
his recommendation for iintnsdfatu legislation,e#
pecially ou tho subject ofpa tout .rights. Early
provision should Le mado tu, secure to the *ub
ject* of foreign nation* thefulkonjoyiuentol''their
property 141 valuable invention*.anil to o.ttend lo
ojir #i , WD.cdixenH. protection not only for (heir own
“luvensqusfhut for such es may have i con us
PEYTONH. COLftUITT, f VA{fnrm
JAMES W. WARREN, (
tv• -g, §m, .
Number 18
signed to them, or may hereafter be assigned by
person* not alien enemies.
The patent office luisinoss is much more ex
tensive and important than had been anticipa
ted. Tbe application lor pntents, although con
fined under the law exclusively to citizens of our
confederacy,already average seventy per month,
showing the necessity for the prompt organiza
tion of a bureau for patent*.
The Secretary of War iu his report and ue*
comptinying documents, conveys full information
concerning tho forces,regular, volunteer and pro
visional, raised and called for under tho several
acts of Congress, their orgnization and distribu
tion. Also, an account ol the expenditure* al
ready made, and the further estimates for the
fiscal year ending on the 18th February, 18(12,
rendered neceeßnry by reoent events, i refer to
his report also lor a lull history of the occurren
ces in Charleston harbor, prior to and including
the bombardment and reduction of Fort Sumter,
and of the measure* subsequently taken for com
mon defence, on receiving intelligence of the de
claration of war against us made Ly thu Presi
dent of the United States. There ure now in
tho field at Charleston, Pensacola, Forts Mor
gan, Jackson, St. Phillip and Pulaski, nineteen
thousand uu-n, und six thousand are now en
route for Virginia. It is proposed t< organize
and hold in readiness for iustant action,’ in view
of the present exigencies of the country, an ar
my of one hundred thousand men. If Birther
force should be needed tho wisdom and patriot
ism < t (.'ongross will be confidently appealed to
for authority to call into the field additional
numbers of our noble spirited volunteers, who are
constantly tendering service fur in excess of our
waits.
The opcratioun of tho Navy Department have
been necessarily restricted by the tact that suffi
cient time has not yet elapsed fur the purchase
or construction us more than a limited number
of vcsocls adapted to tho public service. Two
vessels purchased havo boon named the “&uiu
ter” anil “Mellee,” nud are now being prepared
fur see at New Orleans with all possible des
pateli. Contracts have also been made at that,
city with two different establishment* lbr thu
casting of ordnance, cannon shut and shall, with
tbe view to jficoiirngc the manufacture of these
articles bo indispensable lbr our defense, at a*
many point* writ bin our territory os possible.
I . all vour attention to the recommendation
ol the Si cretary for tlio establishment of a mag
azine nud laboratory for preparation of ovd
uaii'O store , and tbe necessary appropria
tion fur that ptnporo. Hitherto Mich stores hovn
usually been prepared at the navy yards, and no
appropriation wa* nindoat your last Reunion for
tin, object.|
The Scereiary also attention to tho lad
that no provision ha.- butt made for th#payment
of invalid pensions to ur own citizens. Many
of these pcrsi n- are advanced in life, they have
no means >•! t j'p nt, and by the -eeession of
these Slat* *, lure* been deprived of their claim
against the Go\eintut nt us the Uuited State*.
I recommend the appropriation of the sumnece*
sary to pay thg.-e pensioner*, us well as those of
the unity, whose claim* can scarcely exceed
twenty ihousand dollar* per annum.
The Postmaster General has already succeed
ed in organizing his department to such an ex
tent a* to be in readiness to assume the direc
tion <d our p* -lul affairs, on the occurrence of
tho contingency c nteinplateu l>y the act of 16th
March, LBDI, or even sooner if desired by Emi
gre.-.-. Tho various books and circulars have
been prepared and measures taken to recure
supplies'Tblank*, pelage stamps, stamped en
velope.-', mail hags, locks and key?, etc. He pre
sents u detailed cln.-.-ilicntion and arrangement
of bis clerical for* e. and asks for iis increase.—
An auditor f*>r the treasury ol this department
is necessary, and a plan is submitted for tbeor
gatoization of hi* bureau. The great number and
magnitude of the accounts of this and pailment re
quire an increase of tbe clerical force iu tbe ac
counting brunch in tbe Treasury. The reve
’ nuea of this department ore collected and dis
bursed in inodes peculiar to Itself, und require a
special hureou to secure a proper accountability
iu tbe administration of Its finance*.
I call your Attention to the additional legisla
tion required for this Department, to the rec
ommendation for changes in the law fixing lire
rale* of postage on newspaper*, and sealed
packages of certain kinds, and spociully to tin:
recommendation pf the Secretary, in which 1
( concur, that you provide at once for the ns
*u rapt ion by him of the control of our entire
| postal service.
In the military organisation of the State*,
, provision is made for brigadier and major gen
-I*l nls, but in the army of the Confederate State*
the hie host grade is (hat of brigadier-general.
Hence it will no doubt sometiuiea occur that
where troop# of the Confederacy do duty with
the militia, the general selected tor the com
mand and possessed of the views and purpose
of this government, will be superceded by uu
! officer of tire militia not having the satire ad
, vantages. To avoid this contingency in the
least objectionable manner, I recommend that
additional rank be given to the general of the
, Confederate army, and concurring in tho poll
’ cy of having but one grade of generals in the
army ol the Confederacy, 1 recommend that
the law of its organization be amended, so thu
the grade be that of general.
‘Josecure a thorough military education, it
■ in deemed essential thut officers should enter
upon (lie study of their profession nt an early
period of life, and have elementary instruction
111 a military school. Until such school shall
bo established, it i recommended that cadet*
be appointed und utluelied to companies until
the/ shall have attained the age and have ac
quired the knowledge lo fit them for the duties
of lieutenants.
I also call your attention to an omission m
th*: law’ organizing the army, iu relution to mil
ii y ('lin|iiui£*j, and recommend that provision
wc it'.uiy ibr. l4eir appointment
lu couciuVioii, l congratulate you on the fact
that in every portion of our country, there has
been exhibited the most patriotic devotion to
our common cause. Transportation companies
have freely tendered the use of their liucs lbr
troops and supplies. The I’residents of the
railroads ol the Confederacy, in company with
Ollier* wh*) contra! lines of communication with
Stales lliut we liopfe soon l<> greet as sisters,
assembled in Convention in this city, nud not
only reduced largely tins rales lieretotore de
manded tor mail service, and conveyance 01
troops and munitions, but voluntarily proffered
lo receive their compensation nt these reduced
rates in tlio bond# of the Confederacy, for the
purpose of leaving nil tire resources of the gov
eminent at its disposal for its defence.
Requisitions f>r troops have been uiet with
aucli alacrity that lire number* tendering their
set vices have, 111 every instance, greatly ex
ceeded the demand. Men of the highest official
and social position, arc serving us volunteer*
in lire ranks. The gravity of age and the zeal
of youth, rival each < ther In the desire to be
lorcuiOKi lur the public defeuce ; and though at
no other point than (he one lieielotbre notieed,
have they been stimulated by the excitement
incident to actual engagement, nud the hope of
distinction lbr individual achievement, they
have borne what, for new troops, is the most
severe ordeal patient toil, und constant vigil,
and nil the exposure and do comfort oi active
service, with 11 resolution und fortitude such ns
to command approbation and justify the high
c*t expectation of their conduct when active
valor shall be required in place of steady en
durance.)
A people liras united ami resolved cannot
shrink from any sacrifice which they may tm
called 011 to iiiulce, nor can there be a reasona
ble doubt 0/ their filial success, however long
and severe may bo tire test of their determina
tion (o maintain their birthright of freedom mid
equality, us a trust which it is their first duty
to transmit, undiininished to their posterity.
A bounteous Providence cheers u* with the
promise of abundant crops. The fields of gram
which will, within a few weeks, be ready lbr
the -lekle, give assurance of the uruplest sup
ply oi luod /or man; whilst the corn, cotton and
other Mtipte productions of our soil, afford
ul.umlaut proof thill up to this period, tire sea
son has burn propitious.
\\> feel that our cause is just und holy; we
protest solemnly in the lace of mankind that
we desire peace at any sacrifice, save that qi’
honor and independence; wo seek no conquest,
uo aggrandisement, no concession of any kind
from tho States with which we were lately
confederated ; all we ask is to be let alone; that
those who never held power over us, shall now
attempt our subjugation by arm*. Tbi# we
will, 1 his we niu-t re-I*l to the direst exiremi
ty The moment that thi* pretension is aban
doned, the sword will drop from our grasp, and
we shall be ready to enter treaties of umity
and commerce that cannoi but be mutually
beneficial. So long a this pretension is main
taint'd, with a firm reliance 011 that Divine
Power which covers with its protection tire
111 st cause, We will continue to struggle tor our
inherent right to freedom, independence, und
•elf-cover n men t.
JEFFERSON DAY I ft.
MoNToomirv, April‘29. lbdl.