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Governors Annual Message.\^Si^eta^TIheiva 0 *
^ 1 H9l' tko omniint .4 * ■* L.«
tl first of April I be mm!*? for payment of just compensation (or n\\ t\mt j I have reason to believe that government con-
asury proj
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, \
MlLI.Klioi.uLi.E, November fitK. )
To the Senate and House, of P.eprrsmlrtite S'.
For a statement of the condition of the Treasury
you are respectfully referred to the reports of the
Treasurer and jho Comptroller General It will
be seen by reference to these reports that the whole
public debt of this "Slate, including the Treasury
notes issued up to this period, amounts to $6,4 17,-
75!!, and that the public property of the State, in
cluding hank stock. Railroad stock, and the
Western «V Atlantic Railroad, which is the prop
erty of the State, amounts at a low valuation to
66,849 124 68. It would therefore bo in the pow
er of the State to pay every dollar of our debt
w ith the proceeds of the sale of her public prop
er*), if her creditors would consent to receive the
money before due.
The Fire Million Appropriation.
01 the live millions of dollars appropriated at
jour last session f.r military purposes, only $2,-
drawn Irom the Treasr;{
tenant Colonel' Ira K. Foster Quartermaster
j (Y *5djor L. H. Mcln-
for stores in their
respective depart, under 4 ‘ he
army re.-ulatiuv^'^ to ,tl9 Confederacy alter
General, and $58,286
fosh, Chief of Ordii
the State tr
w-c-re transferred. The amount of
pfiatnm which has been used, is there-
j 'I,0(,4 25. Of this sum $150,000 was
expended in payment for anus purchased in Eng
pay the amount supposed to bo due, and that a final
settlement be made wb“u the necessary data
could be obtained ToihisI agreed. Recently I
v as furnished with a statement making Georgia's
quota, less the ten per cent., $2,554,12* 57. Up
on the receipt of this statement, the Comptroller
General who has so often saved to the State
Treasury large stuns by his vigilance and indus
try, carefully compared the returns of the coun
ties with the returns of taxable property made to
the State Receivers, and found that the difference
in some couuties was so great that mistakes tor
large amounts must necessarily have been coin
tnitied against the State. This matter Brought
to the sttention of the Chief CoiJ-'t-tor for this
State and tiro Secretary of the Treasury. ^ Alter
some correspondence, tL*j Comptioller General
visited Augusta, «nd-»iter careful examination of
the books with -^ndge Starnes, the obliging col
lector. it ws» round that the quota of the State,
after d*- jact ! n R the ten per cent., amounted to on
ly 494,112 41. The amount saved to the Treas
ury of the State by the correction ot* these errors
committed by sub collectors, and detected by the
Comptroller General, is $60,016 16. Finding the
sum raised by the sale of the bonds, together with
interest on call certificates, and trom individuals
on coupons, to be $153.1)74 01 less than the amount
of tax due on the final settlement, I ventured to
raise the money by the use of the Treasury notes
at pa r, without interest, in place of bonds bearing
interest asdirected by the statute, which, I trust,
will meet the approval of the General Assembly.
While it was difficult to raise the money on
seven per cent bonds at par when first placed on
>o«od that I i have boon taken for thc'pub.lc service- i tractors have betn through the Mato sub letting
Change Bills. 1 !,;eir contracts, r.nd getriug whisky made at u
The Superintendent of the W. &. A. R. R. finding it " lut 'h lo "e r price than that paid them by Ih
land prior to and iw.OM40t5r j ““ “""f’ the banka acted wit!, liberality iu
iron to be used in fortifications and upon the gun- "peeingto take them when other good secunUes
boat called the “State ot Georgia.” This boat «K ht . P® r «nt, and by their act,on
I -t. 1 H - , attinrfpfi th*» attf*ftt..n r»f nrtrato nifn 1 lsitH
was built under tli>* supervision of Major General
Jackson while in command, and completed after
he retired The balance of the money for its con
struction was contributed by the cities of Savan
nah. Augusta aud other corporations by soldiers,
and chiefly by the ladies of this State, who have
shown since the commencement of our struggle,
on all proper occasions, a liberality and patriotism
worthy the most distinguished matrons of the
Revo.ution of 1776.
_ For support, equipment, pay and transporta
tion of two companies now in service as Bridge
Guards on tho State road. $111.01)0. This leaves
$1,921,011ft i-5, which, together with a special ap.
propiiati-jn of $100,0416, was expended upon the
Georgia a;my. and lor other contingent military
purposes. It will be seen, however, bv reference
to tne Reports of tho Quartermaster Genera! and
the Chief of Ordnance, that very considerable
sums were expended for the purchase of huises,
artillery, it., which were transferred to the Con-
fed* racy with the Georgia Army, for which no
payment ha*)el been made to tire State These
sums, with contingent military expenditures, when
deducted from the above 1 mentioned sums, will
leave tiro whole cost of the Georgia army of near
ly 8,000 men, for nearly six months, including
pay, clothing, subsistence, transportation, and
every oilier expense, a little short ot $2,000,000.
Trrnsury Soles.
The Appropriation Rill passed at your last ses
sion made it my duty, m case there should not, at
any time, be money in the Treasury to meet any
appropriation, to raise it by the sale of State bonds
oi by issuing Treasury notes, as I might think
best. In each c se where I had the discretion, I
did not hesitate to decide to Issue Treasury notes,
beariqg no iut* test, in place of bonds herring in
terest. and 1 have fwtinj these notes not only cur
rent, hut in great demand as an investment. 'I he
whole amount ef Treasury notes issued is $2.-
320,0(KI
Finding 1- difficult togetgood paper and to pet
tlm work properly executed, I sent Hon Jnu.es
Jackson as the .-.00111 of the State to New prleMi*.
to make th« i.i > * re-ary arrangements for the im
portation of ilia paper and the necessary contract
with a competent engraver for the execution of
the work. In both-particulars he was successful.
W hile the work was progiessing in a satisfactory
manner, but before its completion, the city was so
seriously threatened by the enemy, that I thought
it prudent to have the work in its unfinished
state, with the stones, plates, paper, &e , removed
to this State. Under my instructions, Judge
Jackson returned to the city for this purpose.
Settled with the contractor for the work done, and
had all the printed bills and mateiial in transitu
for Georgia, when the city fell into tho hands of
the it,famous tyrant Rutler, whose name will de
scend to posterity on history's darkest page. I
then employed Mr. Howell, of Savannah, to com
plete the job, whichtwas done in it mauner quite
satisfactory. The notes are pay able in specie or
eight per cent, bond-, six months after a treaty of
peace, or when the Banks of Augusta and Savan
nah resum., specie payments if before that time.
These fiotes have generally been laid away as a
safe investment by banks ami others into whose
hands they have fallen; aud it is a rare occurreuee
to see one in circulation. Should it become nec
essary, as it probably vvilj, to extend the issue to
meet a part ot the liabilities of the Treasury for
tho present fiscal year, I respectfully recom
mend that no alteration be made in the foim of
the notes, as there is oil hand a very considerable
amount of the printed bills that can soon he is
sued without expense, which would be useless in
case of any change in the present form, and it
would cost great delay and expense to procure pa
per and have others prepared.
The only objection insisted upon agaiust the is
sue of Treasury notes, in place of the sale of the
bonds to meet the demands on the Treasury, is.
that the issue of a large amount of notes to be cir
culated ns currency, depreciates the value of pa
per currency in the maiket. This is unquestion
ably true, as evidenced by the present state of our
currency. But it is equally true that enough of
patter currency must he issued, in the present con
dition of thucouutiy, to meci the demand. Sup
pose the Suit needs a million of dollars, and puts
fu r beads in the market to raise it, and receive pa
per currency in payment for them, it is quite evi
dent that the Confederacy, or the Hanks, must is
sue a million to meet this demand, in addition to
the issue they would otherwise make for other pur
poses; and the same depreciation growing out of a
redundancy of paper currency follows, which
would happen were the State to issue a million of
dollars in i.er own notes, and thus meet her own
demand. The question is not one of the depiecia-
tion of the currency by over issues of paper, as
the number of dollars in paper currency to be
placed upon the market is tuc some in either case,
but is simply a question of interest. Shall the
State use her own notes, which pass readily as
currency without interest, and are generally laid
away as an investment, or shall she pay interest
to a corporation for the privilege of using and cir
culating its notes, founded upon a lets secure ba
sis than her own! Iu my opinion there is no room
for hesitation in making the decision in favor of
Treasury notes. The amount of iutciest saved to
the Treasury in one year nt ■veil per cei.t. upon
the issue of nott-s already made in place of bonds,
is $i62,109 To this might. have been added the
further sum of $l7n,87tj, bad f been authorized
by the statute to issue and use Treasury notes iu
place of bonds to meet the. Confederate war tax.
This statute was a special one lor a special pur-
po. i however, and confined me to the use of bonds
without giving me discretion to issue Treasury
notes.
attiacted the attention of private capitalists to
*hem, they have lost nothing by their liberality, as
the bonds have since that time greatly appreciated
in the market, aud are now regarded a most desi
rable investment at a considerable premium.
Comptroller General's Department.
The report of this able officer is replete with
valuable information, statistical tables. &c., which
have been prepared with great care and labor. It
is but justice to say that Col. Thweatt, the vigi
laut and active head of this Department, has, by
bis annual reports, furnished much valuable infur
mation to the present generation, and important
material for the use of the future historian of the
State. The law imposes upon that officer very la
borious duties connected witli the finances of the
State, the collection of tlie taxes, and tho auditing
of cl aims against the Treasury. All settlements
with Collectors are made in that office. Colonel
i hweatt, by his active energy, has secured to the
J reasury many thousands ot dollars due by Collec
tors prior to the commencement of his teim ot
office, and has prevented the accumulation
these claims Tire correspondence imposed up*
him, iu making settlements aud in furnishing in
formation to the Tax Collectors and to the Inferi
or Courts of the State, iu connection with the tax
es, is very laborious. This, with other duties ot
bis office, is more than any one man ought lobe
required to do. I therefore recommend, as an act
of justice, that lie be allow ed a clerk, with a salary
sufficient to secure the services of an iulelligent,
experienced business man.
impossiofato attend to the duties h is office and sign all
the change bills, which be was required by the act of
17th December, lSbl. to issue, with my assent, em
ployed Mr. Win.Grisham to sign ‘lie hills for him.
Hie whole amount of bills issued to 3tlth September
L, in round numbers-$80,91*0. Must of* these ;u*' sign- J
ed by Sir. Grisham for the Superintendent and by Ben J
May,Treasurer. The baliauce of the will 1 jQ
issued us soon as the bills can be prepared, which has \j J ,
mate Troops.
In compliance with the resolution or it... CMnerai As
sembly- passed at its last session, directing me to trans
fer the Slate troops to the Confederacy with tne
consent of the troops, I ordered the question of trans
fer to be submitted to a fail- vote ot each organized
body of troops, and the majority against the transfer
amounted almost to unanimity, boon after the pas I
sage of the Conscription Act, however, which passed j
after the expiration of the term of enlistment ed part j
of the men, hut u .hurt time before the end of the i
term of much the larger portion of them, the Secrela- |
bee* found to be quite a laborious ta; k
IJy act of 30th November last, each chartered
Rank in this State, which claims the provisions of the
suspension Act, is required, upon the application of
any person, to issue aud keep iu circulation during its
suspension, small bills in denominations of five, ten,
twenty-five and fifty cents, to the extent of one per
centum upon Us capital stock, with privilege to extend
the i'.-ue to three per centum. The Act 01 Kth ot De
cember relieved all individuals aud corporations who
had issued aud put change bills in circulation, from the
penalties of the existing laws, up-m the redemption of
said bills, but provided that they should not bn author
ized to issue any otherchange bills, or to reissue those
then in circulation when redeemed This law ha3 been
constantly evaded, if not openly violated, by individu
als aau corporations, uud large amounts in change
bills, in the shape of promises to pay, certificates of
deposit, acknowledgements of indebtedness to be dis
charged in specific articles, Ac. &c., have been put
into circulation. Many of these bills have been print
ed upon very inferior paper aud are soon worn out by
circulation. If these illegal issues are not effectually
checked, it cannot be doubted that they wiil result in
heavy losses to our people. I therefore recommend
the enactment of a law, making it obligatory upon
each chartered Bunk of this State to extend i;s issues
ot change bills to ns much as three per cent open its
capital stock; and making it the duty of the Treasurer
and Comptroller General of this Stale lo issue and
putin circulation State change bills ot five, three, two
and one dollar aud the usual denominations tinder that
sum, to the amount of three hundred thousand dollars,
redeemable in the Treasury notes of the- Confederate
States, when as much as $20, is presented at the State
Treasury. And I further recommend that the issues
by the Western &. Atlantic Rail Road be extended to
$ tl'0,000 in bills of different denominations from five
cents to five dollars, and that it be made highly penal
for any other corporation or person to issue, circulate
payor tender in payment any other charge bill,
whether it ben di reel promise to pay, a certificate of
deposit, or in any other form, intended to circulate ns
currency, except those issued under the authority of
the laws of this Stale.
This legislation would, it is believed, provide for the
issue ol as many change bills, as might be necessary
to meet the demands of ourpeople until it may again
he possible to proem silver change, and the people
might inoie safely rely upon the ultimate redemption
«t the bills issued as above recommended than upon
those new iu eii cuiation. The law should allow n reas
onable time torthe redemption of illegal issues now
in circulation, aud to secure the suppression of illegal
issues in future, it may lie necessary to impose upon
the person so violating the Statute, a heavy pecuniary
he paid to the informer.
\l’i\lgr Gun its and Home Protection.
The people ol the State have been informed
through the medium ol the public press of ihe
facts connected with tiro daring attempt made by
a band of spies sent by the authority of the enemy
to buin the bridges on the W. A A. K. Road.—
Tlie conduct of Mr Fuller, the Conductor, and
of some others in the hazardous pursuit, while the
spies were in possession of the train, deseives the
highest commendation and entities them to the
consideration cf the General Assembly. 1 there
fore recommend the appointment of p committee
of the two houses to inquire into the facts and
report upon teem, ~..u -a... . or „ ther
public acknowledgement be aw area to lie pmm-
whose conduct was most meritorious, wifi do
justice to their services and stimulate ethers to
like deeds of daring when necessary for the public
security.
Soon after this bold attempt to burn nil the
bridges of the Road (two of which had been
, ... , - .. I, , 1 r burned and replaced hut a short time previous) I
f War lnformOd me that all the State troops be- , . - . • . . * 1
~ ,0 ...a u-. e :..m 41... <•.... ! wit it my duty to organize a military company to
lard this valuable property. Some time after
0 company had been raised, the Committee of
the House of Representatives visited the Road and
joined in a unanimous recommendation that I add
another company to the Guard In deference to
the recommendation of the Committee, which my
own judgment approved,I directed the organiza
tion ot a second company. These companies now
consist of about 150 men each, the one command
ed by Capt. E. M. Galt, the other by Capt. Al
bert Howell. They are mustered into service for
an indefinite period of time aud may bo disbanded
at the pleasure of the State. There are sixteen
valuable bridges besides smaller ones, upon the
Road which is a great thoroughfare, aud will be
during the war a great military liecesity. The
destruction of two or three of these bridges over
| the large streams, might not only cause great
! derangement of the business of the Road aud
I great inccaiveufl-nce to the traveling public, but
I might so delay military movements as to cause the
j loss of an important victory. The expense to the
j State of keeping up a sufficient guard, is ineon-
j siderable when compared wiih the object, aud I
| shall feel it my duty to continue these troops in
i service unless otherwise directed by .the General
I Assembly. The only question with me, is. wlieth-
! er the two companies should not be increased to
j two regiments, and thoroughly armed, equipped
j and trail ed and kept constantly in the service of
j tlie State till the end of the war. So large a num-
I ber <Jf our arms-beariug men have gone from the
I State into Confederate service, that we cannot
feel entirely secure against internal troubles frmn
servile insurrection, and even two regiments of
w* II armed and thoroughly- disciplined troops at
the command of the State government, might, in
such event, be tlie means of preventing scenes of
massacre and misery too appalling to contemplate
Should rou think proper, by resolution or other
wise to direct such organization, it would meet
my cordial appioval, and I should lose no time
in carrying your decision into practical opera
tion.
Frequent complaints have been made to me that
an association of persons, unfriendly to our gov
ernment and cause has been formed in the North
eastern portion of our State, aud that the mem
bers ef the association, probably some fifty to one
hundred in number, to avoid military service,
have concealed themselves in the mountains and
live by plundering the citizens whose homes are
near their lurking places. The State owes il to
her citizens to afford them all the assistance in her
power 10 protect them agaiust th-se inroads,—
Should an organization of the character recom-
tween 18 and 35 years of age must go into tlie C
federate service. At that time an attack upon the I fy
eilyof Savannah was daily expected, and for the ' 1
purpose of avoiding conflict and collision with the
Confederate authorities in the face ot the. enemy, I
agreed to yield the point, and I immediately tendered
the State Army to Brigadier General Lawton, who
then commanded tlie Military District of Georgia,
Major General Henry K. Jackson, who commanded
the State troops, having retired from the command to
prevent all embarrassment. General Lawton accept
ed the tender, aud assumed the command of the troops.
The claim made by the Secretary of war did not in
clude those under 18 or over 35 years .of age, but it
was thought best to tender the whole together, as the
detachment of those between 18 and 35 from each or
ganization wonld have disorganized the entire force.
While reteiTing to the subject I feel it a duty which
I owe to the gallant officers and brave meu who com
posed the State Army, to say that they were, at the"
tirnewf the transfer, as thoroughly organized, trained
arid disciplined, as probably any body of troops of
equal number on the continent, who had not been a
niueh longer time in the field. They had performed,
without murmur, an almost incrcJibie amount of labor
in erecting fortifications and field works necessary to
the protection of the city, and had made their position
so strong as to deter the enemy, with a force of vastly
superior numbers, from making an attack. W iiilo
they regretted that an opportunity did not offer to
show their courage and efficiency upon the battle tie d,
they stood, like a bulwark of siuut hearts unit strong
arms, between the city and the enemy, and by their
chivalrous bearing ami energetic preparation, in con
nection with the smaller number of brave Confederate
troops near, saved the city from an attack and euptui e, j
without bloodshed and carnage.
It is but justice to Major General Jackson, that it be
remarked Hint he had, with untiring energy and con
summate ability, pressed forward the preparation of
the defenses and the training of the army, and that the
people of Georgia owe much of gratitude to him for j
the safety of the city of Savannah and its present |
freedom from the tyrannical rule otthe enemy. There
is not, probably, an intelligent impartial lio n in the
State who does not regret that the services of this dis
tinguished son of Georgia should not have beeu prop
erlv appreciated by the Confederate authorities ant!
t hat he should not, after tlie Georgia Army was trails*
furred, have been invited by the President to a com
mand equal to his well known ability and merit. This
wasreque-ted by the Executive of this State, which
request was presented to the President by her entire
deiegationin Congress.
It is also due Brigadier Generals George V. Harri- j
son. F. W. C a pars, and \V. 11. T. Walker, that their I
names be honorably mentioned for enlightened gener- j
alship and efficiency as commanders of their respect- !
ive brigades. The Executive of tlie State, apprecia- j
ting the merit* of these officers, asked for positions
fur them, as commanders iu the armies of tlieConfed- j
eraoy. but neither of them, so far as J know, has been
tendered any command. It this might he excused as
Government. This sp*dilation should not be
pel uiitted, but the Government should be author
ized to locate its distilleries at such points as it
may select, and there by its agents to make Geor-
giabtpari of what it needs for medicinal uses and
X ■* Salaries of PnLlic Officers.
recommend thut the salary of every public officer
in Georgia, which is fixed by law, where there is no
(-oustilutiunal prohibition, including tlie fees of officers
of the Courts, be increased titty per cent , and that the
Judges he hU placed upon an equality as they stood
prior to your last session, before the fitly per cent, is
added, so us lo give ail the Judges of each court the
same compensation. Produce, clothing, groceries,
medicines and nii tiie necessaries of life nse-d by a fam
ily, have risen in the maiket to an average ot at least
five time- as much as they cost whenthe fees uud sala
ries of pub, ie officers were- fixed bylaw. The depreciation
of the currency and the scarcity of the sn/iply of most
of tiiese necessaries have united to produce this result.
The public officer now receives tlie same- number of
dollars in euro-ucy which he formerly received in gold,
ami can purchase with it ouly one-tilth as much ot the.
necessanes of life. I (lo nol propose to add live hun
dred percent, to the present salaries, which would place
the public officer in us good a condition as lie was be
fore the war, hut I propose to add only fifty per cent.,
and let him lose the four hundred and fifty, us his part
of tlie burden imposed by the war. 1 think the most
parsimonious citizen of tne btate cannot deny the jus
tice of this proposition, nor contend thut the public of-
tieershall take all the burden without any- of the com
pensation resulting from the present high prices. This
increase should include tiovpay of the members and of
ficers o! the General Assembly, as well as other public
servants, if tne Constitution will permit, and I think it
does. In making this recommendation, 1 cannut be
justly chargeable with interested motives, as my own
salary,though not worth ns much ns one thousand dol
lars was when 1 first went into office, cannot, under a
provision of the Constitution, be either increased or di
minished during my term iu office. This, however,
furnishes no sufficient reason why others should suffer
injustice. Tin- farmer guts lor most of the articles
vvnicli he produces, from three to five times as much
as formerly; the manufacturer and merchant do the
same on their productions and stork in trade. The pay
of the public officer is his liviug; or if yyu will allow
the expression, his crop. Why, then, should lie alone
be couiineu to the old prices foi his income and be com
pelled to pay the increased prices for all he lias to pur
chase? It is not just, aud a just people will not re
quire it.
The Families of our Soldiers in Serrirc.
Tiie rtmarks made in reference to the high prices of
the necessaries of life, apply to the families ot our no
ble troops, who, by their gallant deeds, have illustrated
the character ol our State on the battie field, and ren
dered their names immortal on a brilliant historic page.
These heroic citizen soldiers have till recently received
but % 11 per mouth from the Government as wages.
The act cf Congress, passed at its last session, as re
ported by the newspapers, raises the wages of the pri
vate and the non-cominiteioned officer four dollars per
month. Many of these privates are poor men, who
have left behind theu. 'arge families dependent Upon
their own exertions fev a livelihood. They may be
obliged to expend part J'their wages in camp for in
dispensable articles, but if they are not, and send it all
back, it affords their loved ones at home a most meagre
subsistence at the present prices of provisions and
clothing. Some of the wealthier comities, under 1111
act of the last session, are providing amply for the
wants of the soldiers' families, while olhers are not
oble, without an oppressive tax, to render the large
number within their limits much assistance. In this
state of things. I Slunk it proper that the wealth of the
whole State, when necessary, be compelled to contrib
ute toflte wants of soldiers' families in ail parts of the
State, who need assistance. I therefore recommend
bounty of one hundred doilais lor the fumilV of earl
soldier from this State in service fur the war, or win.
mayji hereafter enter the service for a like period
whose property when last given in by him on the tax
hook, was worth less than one thousand tfi.llm
Ihe like sum for each widow of a deceased soldier and
for each widow who has a son or sous in service, or who
has lest a son in service. And 1 further recommend
that ihe whole net proceeds of the 'Western and Atlan-
| tic Railroad for the ensuing year be appropriated to
pay the bounty, and that freights be increased for that
purpose twenty-five per cent, upon present price
thut cacti persou in this State who has been engaged in
any kind of speculation, in any of the necessaries of
life, be faxed thirty-three and oue-thild per cent, upon
tiie net incomes of his speculation, to raise the balance
of tiie fuud. Tiie oatii of the tax-payer should be so
amended ns to compel each to state on oath the income
of his speculation, and a heavy penalty should be pro
vided against any one who swears falsely’. 1 also rec
ommend that the Governor of the State be authorized
to raise the money’ to meet the payment of this bounty
by negotiating a temporary loan nt five per cent to be
paid to tiie creditors, so soon 11s the money is paid into
tiie Treasury by the State Road aud the Tax Collec
tors. The act should provide for the appointment ol
of one or more proper persons in each county to re
ceive the money for the famih’es and see that- it is prop-,
erly applied in the purchase of such supplies as are u#
tuuilv necessary for tho comfort 01 each family, and
should provide a heavy penalty against any one who
shall misapply the fundsviue a soldier’s family, or spec
ulate, directly’ or indirectly, upon the bounty money.
While they are absent, enduring all the hardships and
privations of camp life, their tamilies should be sup
plied,'if need be, at the public expense, with such ot
the necessaries of life as their labors will not afford
them, cost the State what itmuy. The money could he
raiseil in the manner above recommended without se
rious burden to the peopic of the State, as a large part
of the freight, on the Stute Road is paid by speculators
of this and other States, who, if their commodities were
shipped for nothing, would still charge the highest pri-
all they sell The tax of thirty-three and a
third per cent, npon the incomes of those who have
been speculating upon the necessaries of life would be
just and proper, and would compel them to appropriate
part of their gains for the benefit, of our cause. Many
of them are making large fortunes by’ taking advant
age of tho necessities of the poor and needy, andI will
do nothing for the public good unless they are compell
ed bylaws too stringent to be evaded.
We need not attempt to close our eyeB to (lie stern
reality. The success of our cause depends upon the
gallantry and endurance of our troops. They cannot
fight unless they and their families enu be supplied with
at least the necessaries of life. The wealth of tlie coun
try must conic to their relief, and contribute whatever
the exigencies may require. Tlie question for each
property holder to consider is, whether be will give up
part for the protection of the balance, nr withhold the
necessary contribution and lose the whole.
whole people of the State, this excuse
. . . s not apply- T % V
in the ease of Gent rai Walker, who is sou of Georgia,!
a graduate of West Point, aud an old soldier «ho has v-
alied his blood in his country’s service on many a bal l ^
tie field. His ability and gallantry are acknowledged*. •
by ail who admire cool courage ami high-toned eliival- ui
ry. But 110 one of the Georgia Generals who com
manded her State army has since been invited to a
position, and even this gallant old soldier is permitted
to remain in retirement, while thousands of Georgia
troops who entered the service of the Confederacy un
der requisitions upon the State, and whose right, un
der tht Constitution, to be commanded by (Jeneriils
appointed by the State i- too clear to admit of doubt,
are thrown uuderthe command of Generals appointed
from other States, many of whom have had neither
the experience in service, nor tlie distinction, which
General Walker has, while confronting the enemies of
his country, purchased with Ids blood upon the battle
field.
Confederate If'ar Tax,
An act pasted at your last s*ssion assumed the
payment of the Confederate War Tax, assessed
against the people of this Stale lor tlie last year,
and made it iny duly to raise the amount by the
Bale of State bonds, with but ono restriction,
which was that they should not bear exceeding
eight per cent, per annum. As the Confederacy
and the other State* generally, were paying eight
per cent., it was not supposed that this Stale
would be able to raise the money upon bonds
bearing n less rate. Before I could get the Treas
ury notes prepared, which 1 was authorized to is
sue for other purposes, I had to negotiate some
temporary loans with the banks at eight per cent,
to raise money to defray the expenses of the army
ti.l the notes could be issued. It is but justice,
however, that 1 remark, that all the Banks except
the Rank of Commerce and the Rank of the
Et .'.e. refitted to accept more than seven per cent,
on settlement far this temporary advance. The
war tax was due the 1st of April, and as I antici
pat'd some difficulty - in securing promptly so
large a sum, I visited Savannah in the latter part
of January, and ha,l an interview with somo of
tlm most prominent bankers of the city, which re
sulted in a proposition on their part to take the
bonds of the State running ten years, bearing 7
per cent., payable quarterly, aud advance money
to meet tlm emergency if J would pay interest
from first of February. To this I consented, and
the banks advanced $2,909,099. a portion of which-
was placed to the credit of the Treasurer altar tlie
tiret of February, and bore interest only trorn the
date when it was placed to the credit of the Slate
Having uo use for the money till the first of April,
the date when the tax was due, 1 proposed to pay
it to the Secretary of the Treasury, if he would
allow seven per cent, upon the advance, ti'l the
tax should become due. This proposition wasde
dined, and I then invested it in the six percent,
stock of the Confederac* - and was able to realize
six per cent, upon it t'il first of April. Banker,
from other States w.mld have taken thebalunce of
the buuds, but I thought it best to put them on the
market in this State, and let them go into the hands
of our citizens if they would purchase them. This
was done by a publication asking bids for them at
par till first of March. The bids were more than
sufficient to cover tho whole balance of the pro
posed i->ie. Tho issue aud saie under this act
Momitits to $2 411,000 m bonds.
Th* precisa'amount of the Slate’s quota of tbo
f the treoolr
^ \\J* Distillation.
Afte'V oudcoinmunication had been cut off by
:ie enemy, and we could no longer get supplies of
revisions from Tennessee and Kentucky, it was
Slate Armory.
In accordance with the provisions of an Act entitled
an Act to provide for the manufacture and purchase of
armsforthe public defense and to appropnate money
hr the same, which appropriates $3511,9(10 for the pur
pose. 1 indicated iu the title of the Act, and authorizes
the Governor, if the money is uot in the Treasury,
when Deeded, to raise it by the sale of 8 per cent
bonds, with discretion to issue part of the amount in
Treasury notes. Sec., I directed the establishment ol
an Arrnoiy in the Penitentiary, and employed Mr. Pe
ter Junes, who was long connected prouuuentljr •^•■)ii
the Armories aud uiauuraeture of arms ffir the L’uited
States, to take charge of and superintc. I the works.
He has secured ns much material as he could, and
made ail the machinery in bis power, and has made
as good progress as could have been expected, consid
ering the many embairassmeiits in tin- way, and our
inability to import any of the material or machinery
needed. We can now turn out an excellent arm at
the rate of about 125 per mouth, and will in the course
of a few months, it is hoped.be able to extend the ca
pacity of the works, so as to make them a source of
substantial aid in tlie achievement of our inde
pendence.
1 nave not been able to purchase any'sir.all arms du
ring the year, nor have 1 been able to get possession of
much the larger portion of those purchased in Eng
land prior to your last session and since imported.—
About 4,390 of the excellent Enfield rilles 'which were
imported by the State at great risk and expense, have
been seized by the different ports where they landed,
by officers of tlie Codtederate Government and car
ried beyond mv reach. 1 have remonstrated against
these unauthorized seizures of the property of the
State,and while my remonstrances have been met
with respectful language by those in authority, and the
act generally apologized for, ns a mistake, they have
neglected to restore the property seized, and have, af
ter my remonstrances, repeated the seizure on li.eai-
rival of other arms. As the rights of tlie- State were
disregarded by the Confederate authorities, I thought
it uuwise to send more money to Europe to invest in
other arms to be lost at sea or seized; without consult
ing the authorities of the State, on their arrival.
In this connection, 1 would remark that the State
troops generally brought with them into service such
country arms as were at their command, which were
tnrned into the State Arsenal when better arms were
furnished to them. Manyofthese arms were taken
possession of by the State authorities and distributed
among Confederate troops who were without anus.
Part of Col. P. J. Bailey’s regiment, Confederate
troops were armed with them,as were part of Lieut.
Ool Littlefield's battalion, and part of Col. Sninner J.
Smith's Rangers. Compensation has not yet been
made to its owners. 1 therefore recommend that
some one or more proper persons be appointed under
authority of law to audit the claims of citizens who
were that deprived of their arm*, and that provision
soon discovered that we bad nojje to spare, and it
was doubted whether there was enough of graiu
I in tho State to answer all tlie demands for bread.
The supply of Western whisky had however been
cut off, as well as tlie supply of provisions, uud
the demand fur that article increased till distilla
tion was commenced at a rate that would, in tho
course of the Spring andeaity part of thetiuunner.
have consumed all the grain that coaid have been
purchased, and increased the price to an extent
that must have put it cut of the power of the
poorer classes of our people, and o-peeially the
families ot poor men who were in the army, to get
bread.. Those facts were made know n to me from
different parts ot the dtute. and earnest appeals
were made for such action ns would protect our
people against this great wrong After mature
reflection, 1 was satisfied that it was my duty to
exercise all Ihe power! possess* a to check the
evil. The only question was as to my constitu
1 local power to act. There could be no doubt that
i had the pow er to take private property* £«-,—
i;c P . part i.n*d pressed by a powerful
enemy, and needed all the ordnance and ord
nance stores we could command, and as the stills
were made of copper winch could bo used in the
manufacture of field artillery, I issued my procla
mation ordering the militia officers ot the State to
seize the Still of any person in the State who should
continue distilling after the 15th day of March.—
While there were doubtless cases in which the proc.-
amation was evaded, and while some military offi-
* ers may have failed faithfully to discharge their
duty, the evil was in the main qjiecked. and bread
was saved to our people.
The proclamation only prohibited distillation till
tha meeting of .he General Assembly, and I now
submit ti;e question for your consideration.—
While it is Loped we may have a plentiful supply
of torn for tin- use ot the people of the State, aud
can spare some tur th*- army, we do not know
what may be ll*o vicissitndtB of war. and it is
certainly tlie duty of ihe Statesman, nt sucli a crisis
to do ail iu his power to so husband the blessings
ofPrevidcnt e. as to prevent suffering anil secure
a supply ot food for the people. I therefore
respectfully reconumnd ihe passage of a statute
prohibiting the distillation of grain into alcohol or
ardent spirits, except under .sufficient rt studious,
for mechauicar and medical uses, t.il tLe end of
the present war I think this legislation is de
manded alike by an enlightened public opinion,
ami by tbo exigencies of the times 5
’ ince my proclamation I have permitted persons
having contracts with tho Confederate .Govern
ment to manufacture necessary supplies of alco
hol aud whisky for Ihe army, but 1 have found
it very-difficult to prevent abuses of this privilege,
and I recommend that the terms upon which it
shall in future be granted bo accurately defined
by law, and that Government manufactories be
confined to one, or a few localities, so that this
Siate shall not have to bear more than her just
part of the burden of fin uisiiing from her grain,
the ardent spirits claimed to be necessary for the
use of the army of the Confederate States.
Exemption of Soldiers from Taxation.
In consideration of the hardships and privations en
dured by our soldiers in service, and the necessities of
the families of many of them, I recommend the enact
ment of a law exempting all soldiers while in service
from the payment of poll tax. I also recommend tin
exemption of one thousand dollars of the property of
each soldier from all taxation during his continuance iu
service. Large numbers of our 1roo|>s have not more
than one thousand dollars worth of properly «**<■!,
TI.U ie all needed r<-*- n,r. tom fort or their families in
t heir absence, and should be exempt from the burdens
of taxation. Those wire have more than one thousand
dollars should only be required to pay on the balance
beyond that sum.
f think it just that tlie wealth of the State and those
who remain in the enjoyment of home comforts, many
of whom are accumulating fortunes by speculation,
should bear the burden of the taxation necessary to
support the Government and the families of those whe
meet the enemy on the field of battle.
Clothing for the Georgia Tioops.
Information of the most authentic character has been
received from the army, which verifies tho report that
many of the Georgia troops in Confederate service are
almost destitute of clothes and shoes, and'must suffer
terribly this winter, if speedy relief is not afforded.
This sufferingjthmiM never lie permitted by the people
of tlie State as long ns we are able to raise a dollar for
their relief. 1 have recommended the Georgia Relief
anil Hospital Association to draw and expend for
clothes and shoes for the most destitute,the remaining
portion of the appropriation which they have not had
occasion to use for hospital purposes, not doubting that
such an application of the money would meet you r cor
dial approval. They have done much, but still there
r. muon more to be done.
To meet the emergency, I recommend the passage
of a joint resolution of the two Houses, at the earliest
day possible, authorizing the Governor of this State, if
satisfactory arrangements cannot be made with the
I proprietors, to seize all the fooleries and tanneries in
this State, and to appropriate their whole products to
-cmtirs^Jl 1 !; 1 ifllOieiHo otreiy’VJcoi’gia soldier iu ser
vice who needs the assistance. 1 do not know that the
Confederate Government would pay for the supply
thus furnished. If not, the State is able to give these
necessary articles to her brave sons who are suffering
for them, and her people should not hesitate a moment
to do it. It would not be necessary to keep the posses
sion of the factories and tanneries long, as the winter’s
supply could soon he made. The resolution should fix
the price per yurd to be paid for cloth, the price per
pound tube paid fur leather, and the price to be paid
for shoes if found ready made. As no authority was
given me at your last session to expend money tu fui-
tiish necessaries to the troops in Confederate service,
1 have not felt authorized to make the seizures now
recommended, till you have given your sanction to the
proposed action. The cold part of the winter is fast
approaching, the climate of Virginia and Kentucky is
severe, and 1 think humanity, ns well as justice to our
fellow-citizens under arms, requires prompt action.
• Colton and Previsions.
While cotton lias long been the great staple prod ac
tion of the Stute of Georgia and several other States of
the Confederacy, we have been accustomed to draw a
large portion-of-our supplies of provisions from the
Western States. In the present condition of the coun
try this is no longer possible. Our ports are blockaded
and we cannot import from abroad. We nrelherelor*-
Icff to depend upon ourselves for the production of a
supply sufficient for otir pc.pie nt home and our army
We liave the ability to make this supply, it all <>ur la-
except enough to make cotton for home consump
tion, is employed in the production of grain and other
articles used to sustain life. But so large a proportion
of our laboring men wifi he trader arm;, during the en
suing year, that we cannot probably do inure than this’
Without a supply of provisions it is impossible to
sustain our army in the field and prevent the
enemy from triumphing over us. This question, then,
becomes one of the most vital importance, one
upon which not the “ national life," but the lives ot
our people and the cause of the Confederacy depend.
The price which cotton now brings in the market. lire-
scnls the strongest temptation to the planter to produce
a large crop. And it is feared that without the re
straining influence of prohibitory legislation, much of
our land and labor will he employed in its production
next year. The conduct of the planters of this State
during the present year has generally been alike com-
mandabl* and patriotic. But few have produced largs
crops ot cotton. The fact must not he overlooked,
however, that the pi ice was low last spring and the
temptation very small in comparison with that now pre-
eentcil
W bile our ports are blockaded, wc cannot make
usuliil more than is required to clothe our own people.
1 nen why produce it, and lay it up in store to tempt
*he enemy to penetrate the interior of bur country to
obtain it ? Or why keep it tor the benefit ot efliumer-
e.m nations after we have achieved our independence?
.1 hey have left us at a m< ft critical period to take care
ot ourselves. \\ fiy, then, should we not leave them to
teen their own starving operatives till such time as it
i- compatible with our public interest to produce the
supply ut cotton, without which they must number
their paupers by millions, and support them by taxa
tion? Tne States cao regulate this production by the
exercise ol their taxing power. There has, I believe,
never been n tax iwi 111 Georgia, from the earliest pe-
nnd of Ihe-Statc government to this day, which did uot
discriminate between different kinds of property and
lax some one higher than another. When tlie power
ol discrimination is admitted, the extent of its exercise
is dependent upon the discretion of the Legislature
I he power to discriminate bus not only been admitted
in this State, but the practice has been uniform in its
exercise. 1 therefore recommend the enactment of a
law imposing a tax of one hundred dollars upon each
quantity uf seed cotton, sufficient to make a bn'e of four
hundred pounds of picked cotton produced next year
upon all exetss over what is actually necessary lor a
home supply. Beyond such supply, production should
only be permitted upon the payment of a tax which
rentiers it unprofitable to the avaricious.
I make no recommendation for the imposition of a
tax upon the crop of the past year, for the reason that
the Legislature had nol in advance notified the people
ofthe State oi the necessity which must induce a change
ofjjobey in the taxation of this staple production. As
the law npon the statute Book exempted thegrowing
crop from taxation when planted, ami as many of urn
planters were absent from the Suite iu military service,
and had but little opportunily to look to their crops or
other Lome interests, it would seem to he improper, by
retroactive legislation, to load it with a heavy tax
when gathered. Onr policy should be made known iu
advance, that each citizen, when he plants his crop,
tnaj kuovrwliat tlie Stute will require on tho produe-
tijssiwhei; niade.
'W estern and Atlantic Jlailroad.
For the operations of the Western and Atlantic Rail
road iluring the part fiscal year, you are referred tothe
Report of its faithful Superintendent. It will be ob
served that the Rood is now out of debt, so far as the
existence of any just claim against it is ascertained. It
Las paid idto tiie Treasury of the State four hundred
and forty thousand dollars oat of net earnings for the
past year, and there was due tlie Road on the 39th Sep
tember last, $577,8fi4 78 from the Confederate Gov
ernment for transportation of troops and military-
stores. Payment has bcou demanded, but net made
the Secretary of the Treasury insisting that w e should
1 eccive Confederate bonds This ] have declined to do
oh the ground that there is no law of tlie State authori
zing the Superintendent to receive bonds and pay them
into the Treasury; and on the hiriher ground, that-it is
not the policy iff the State, while siie i-in debt, to in
vest in tue bunds of any otiier State or government. I
have therefore demanded Confederate- Treasury notes
which pass as currency, and can ho ur-d by the State
iu payment other own indebtedness and lu-r current
expenses. J trust the claim may be paid without much
further delay.
The road lied is in excellent condition, anil I have nt
my command the means to keep it so. I was so fortu
nate last winter as to he able t» purchase eleven hun
dred tons of m-w railroad bar at fifty dollars per ton.
This lion is now worth in tiie market at least one him
dred and fifty thousand doliaTs more than I paid for it.
I was no! the legal purchasing agent of the road, and if
iron had fallen as much as it lias risen, it is quite proba
ble there might have been loud complaints, had l in
sisted that the road take tiie iron. 1 have, however,
given the roan the benefit of the contract, which is
worth tothe Statethe 6um above mentioned. I could
sell Ihe iron al anytime, and, after refunding the sum*
paid for it, could pay jut." tfe Treasury of the Stute one
hundred aud fifty thousand dollars as balance of pro
ceeds of the sale.
Since I was first inaugurated os Governor of the
State, the road has paid into the State Treasury #1,948,•
U)U. and tins paid $J0d,08l 07 in satisfaction of debts
and unliquidated demands for which it wits then liable.
It is now in as good condition in every respect as il
then was, with the exception of the rolling stuck, which
has nut been kept up as well as usual for the last two
years, on account of the impossibility of procuring, at
any price, part of the material used in construction and
repairs. The amount due the road from the (.Vmfedei'-
aey is, however, mole than double the sum that Would
be required to make the repairs complete.
1 pun the application of the military authorities of
the Confederate States, they have frequently been per
mittad to take our ears and engines and carry them on
o her Roads, to such points as emergencies might re
quire. Tlie lamented General Albert Sidney Johnston
hadordered a large number of our ears upon the Mem
phis Jk Charleston Road, a short time betorethe battle
of Shiloh, which, on account of the possession of that
road by the enemy, have not been returned. At tlii*
and other points we have lost 180 cars while in Confed
crate service. Should they never be returned, it is ex
pected that the Confederacy will pay for them just
Cannpqp&Uon.
Defence of Savannah.
I Lave been informed by tbe Military Com
mander at Savannah ’.bat it is intended to niak*
a defence of the city “to extremity,” aud he re
quests assistance from tbe State, in the removal
of the women and children and oilier non com
batants from tbe city. In view of tho fate of New
Orleans and other cities which have been surren
dered to iho enemy, t cordially endorse and ap
prove thia resoiiomn of the Confederate General.
Let us bold the city as long, as a Louse or a brick
w all is left standing, behind which our troops can
light; and let the State assume the loss occasioned
by the destruction of property, or at least divide
it with the sufferers.
It will be necessary that food and shelter be
provided for such of the uou-eoinbatants as a;e
unable to take care of themselves, as soon as
possible, that they may be removed in advance
of the attack. I therefore recommend an early
appropriationref two hundred and fifty thousand
dollars for this purpose.
State University
In compliance with the statute, I herewith trans
mit the report of the Trustees of the University
for the past year.
Penitentiary and Asylums.
Fora statement of the condition of the Peniten
tiary and Asylums of tire State, you are referred
to tlie respective reports of the principals in chaige
It will be seen by reference to the report of Col.
James A. Green, the Principal Keeper of the
Penitentiary, that he lias paid into tha State
Treasury, tun thousand dollars of net profits for
the past fiscal year. Ool. Green’s able and faith
ful management of the Institution is entitled to
high commendation.
Obstructions of our Hirers.
It is said the enemy are preparing gun boats of
light draught to ascend our livers, and plunder
our inlands towns aud cities, while the waters are
high in the winter season. This can probably be
prevented in no other way so effectually as by the
obstiuutlion of our streams Most, or them can he
entirely obstructed by fulling tho timber which
stands npon the banks into tho channel cf the
stream. It may, however, he very difficult nt the
end of the war to remove these obstructions and
restore the navigation of the river,
As a Confederate General, who is an Engineer
of the first order of ability and acquirements, is
iu command of tho Military Department w hich
embraces this State, I havo thought it best to
leave tbe matter entirely in his hands till your
meeting.
The question as to the best means of defence,
in the absence cf any action by tlie Confederate
authorities, is an important one well deserving
your serious cosideration. 1 doubt uot that the
legislative department of the State Government
participates in ihe regret felt by the Executive
ihut the Confederate authorities h ,ve done no more
for the defence of the State, when so largo a pro
portion of her militia have left her limits and
gone into Confederate service, as to leave her,
aimost poweiloss for her own protection.
Military Organization of the State.
,, The effort* which our releni)«s !« vtdtit-
tion of all rules of civilized warfare, to incite ser
vile insurrection among ns, not unnaturally create
serious concorn in the mind of every Geuigian. So
large a number of our tfrms-beariug men have already
gone into the military service of the Confederacy, and
so many more may soon be required, that we have
comparatively a small number lull in each county, and
ill some localities where the slave population is very
large, scarcely enough todireet their label remain with
them. Those who remain have generally given up ail.
their best arms to those who have gone, and they are
now nearly destitute of arms or ammunition. OurWu.-.
men and children are, therefore, left at home almost
eiitiri ly without protection. In lids condition of our
people, a general insurrection, even at the must exposed
points, might he praduetive of scenes of misery and
Of S'
a ml.hot ran-which no language can describe. T*
vide every means possible tor the prevention
a week, anil each member to i eccive a reasonable
compensation for his services on the day of drill.
Georgia Military Institute.
It affords nio much pleasure to state that this valuable
State Institution has been iu a prosperous condition
liuriug the past year. Many more cadets were offered
thnu tue buildings wonld accommodate I loepectlu ly
recommend an appropriation, ol fifty thousand dollars
to b ■ used for tie- erection of tlie necessary buildings,
the improvement of the grounds, and for such other
purposes, as tho board may find indispensable tothe
permanent establish meat of the Institution upon a sol
id basis.
Adjutant and Inspector General.
The report of the Adjutant and Inspector General,
of this Stale with tiie accompanying documents, which
give a full and sufficiently detailed account of the ui-
fietal transaction:*, and expenditures connected with
that Department, together with valuable suggestions
upon tlie military organization of the State, is here
with transmitted.
General Wayne was the first man who responded
lo the call of id-: State, when the dissolution of the
Union was seen to be inevitable, and resigned an honor
able and comfortable position in the army of tbe Uni
ted States to cast his lot with his native land, and share
her fortunes whether for weal or for woe. From that
day to the present time no one has labored more inces
santly or zealously, to secure flu 1 safety, and promote
the prosperity and glory of Ins mother State. Ilia la
bors connected with our military organizations, both
tor State and Confederate service, have been invalua
ble ; and while be has always shown the self-sacrificing
disposition which is seen in Ids report, lio intelligent
Georgian acquainted with the duties of his office, and
its importance, would willingly consent to dispense
with liis services, during’ tlie existence of tiie war.
Appropriation fur Military Purposes.
To meut'any expenditures which it may become in
disptnsibieto make tor the delenc* of the State, and
the protection of our. homes during the ensuing year,
f recommend tlie appropriation of three millions of dol
lars as a military fund. I trust the action of those res
ponsible daring tbe past year, wiil be received as a
sufficient guaranty, that ii" more ofthe fund will be used
than the exigencies of the service may require.
Small Po.c.
This dangerous disease has made its appearance in
several places in'our State. Soldiers who have-been
exposed to it with* ut tht-ir knowledge, are occasionally
reluming borne on furlough, and there is danger that-
it may spread and become a great scourge.
As onr people are too careless about adopting tbe
necessary preventive, I recommend such legislation
as will st cure the early vaccination of all persons in the
State subject lo the disease.
Salt.
Messrs. Stotesberry and Humphries, of Striven
county, complied with the terms prescribed by the net
passed at yuur last session, on the subject of the man
ufacture of s.-ilt, and after giving a mortgage on suffi
cient property, drew 810,990 ofthe appropriation, I
am not aware of any active efforts made by them to
any considerable extent to make salt. Under the cir-
cumsfaoces, they should either proceed with the busi
ness or refund the money which under the law, they
bold without the payment of interest.
Finding that the money placed nt my command by
thrai-t wonld be wholly inadequate, mid that but little
could be expected under the provisions of this statute,
I fell it my duly to take the responsibility to make
such arrangements as in u y judgment would do lflost
to secure a supply of this indispensable article to our
peop!*-. 1 is: Virginia Salt Works in Smythe and Wash
ington bounties, were believed to be the resource most
to be relied upon The Legislature of that State held
an extra session early iu the summer, and determined
not t*> purchase nor lease those woiks, but to leave
them in the hands of the proprietors. Immediately
after t he adjournment ofthe session, I sent Hon. John
W. Lewis (whotendered uis services without compen
sation, nt his own expense,) to tlie works, as the agent
of this State. While there, he succeeded in closing a
contract with the proprietors for the use of water nnd
privilege to make 590 bushels of salt per day. This
was the greatest quantity be could uf that time pro
cure privilege to make. He also employed Maj. M. S.
Temple, of East Tennessee, to manufacture t) e salt for
tlie Mate. Hie whole cost to the State of each bushel
of fifty pounds is one dollar and fitly OW.I-, rrhen weigh
ed from the kettles. We have to receive the sait as it
is made, before .t is thoroughly dry, ai.il it loses about
one-fifth in drippage and wastage by the time it reach
es Atlanta. The seeks, the express freight upon them,
ami the Railroad freights on the roads in East Tennes
see anil Virginia are all uncommonly high.
Feeling that it was Ihe duty ofthe State to afford re
lief (is f. ;- as pos-ible, first to the families of our gallant
soldiet . I directed the Cortimi.~Sr.ry General of the
Stqte, who is charged with the responsibility of the
distribution ofthe salt, lo make a donation of one-half
bushel to the widow of each soldier of this Stute who
has died in military service; and to eaeli widow who
has lost a son in service; and to sell to the inferior
Court of each county a half bushel for one dollar, for
each family of a soldier now in service, or of a widow
who has a son in service The Justices of tlie Inferior
Courts of the Several counties have been requested to
make aretnrn to tiie Commissary General ofthe names
of all the soldiers’ wives and widows in their respec
tive counties, and I directed that officer to distribute
tlie salt among the counties in the order in which the
Courts made their reports. Consequently, the coun
ties whose Courts were most active and reported first,
Lave long since received their salt, while some, I be
lieve, have not yet reported.
So soon as this distribution is completed, it is propo
sed t*> put the State salt upon the market,at such rates
us will enable us to pay all cost upon it. It will proba
bly be necessary to sell the balunceut about live dol
lars per bushel, to make it pay all costs and charges.
Uy the adoption oflltis plan, all who purchase are taxed
something lor the assistance of the soldiers’ families
and willows who have had each one-half bushel on tue
terms above mentioned.
In the next distribution, ench citizen will only be per
mitted to receive one bushel, till all have received some
relief. The soldier:*' families needing over one Imlf
bushel will he allowed the preference iu this distribu
tion upon the payment of the prices paid by others.
Mauy a poor family will need little more than the half
bushel which they receive under the first distribution.
Those having more means can afford to pay the prices
paid by other citizens, for what they need over the liaif
bushel.
It affords me much pleasure, in this connection, to
state that a company of patriotic citizens having its
j(iif.** in Troup county, and another in Augusta, have
ditained privilege to make salt at the Virginia Works,
and are now turning out daily a large quantity. Tlie
State is making 500 bushels per day, nu t these coinpa-
nies will soon average each that ijtiantiiy daily. They
propose first to supply themselves, and then ‘o sell to
the citizens of the State without speculation. The
State and each of these companies has it,-id much diffi
culty in procuring the necessary labor aud material to
put their works into successful operation. This difli-
ulty has been overcome, however, after some delay,
which we would gladly have avoided. I feel that I
should fail to do my fluty were 1 not to state in this con
nection, that the people of this State owe much of grat
itude to Hon. 15. H. Bigham, who is a member of yonr
body, for his grefit energy and activity as the Pyesi'deut
of the Troup company. He has spent his time nt tlie
Works, and superintended in person, and has rendered
very valuable service to the company aud to the State.
The Railroad Co'mpanies of tbe Stats have
promptly responded to a request made bv me,
that th-*y r ,ilc Omtxra snn iu ctm Ut-pot3"Ot de
posit, and thence to the depot of distribution for
each citizen free of churge. This aet entitles
them to tiie thanks of the whole people. 1 have
ordered that the State salt, the salt made by the
two companies from this Mate, and all salt pur
chased at the woiks by persons or county asso
ciations for their own use, when no speculation is
intended, be carried free of charge over the State
Road.
As no appropriation bad been made which could
be used, in carrying out my contract for tlie Vir-
inia Sait, I ordered the Treasurer of the W. A,
A. Railroad to advance to the Commissary Gener
al sufficient funds to meet tiie necessity. It will
be necessary that the money be refunded to him to
enable him lo keep bis accounts correctly. For
this purpose, [ recommend the appropriation ot
one hundred thousand dollars to be used in the
purchase of salt atrd refunded to tbe Treasury of
the State when the salt is sold.
Within the last few days Messrs. Graves and
Goldsmith have proposed to devote their whole
energies.to the importation of salt into the State,
front tho mine at New Iberia in Louisiana. They
do not propose to sell the salt on speculation, but
wish only compensation for their efforts aud ex
penses. I havo sgreet* to pay them $7 59 per
bushel cf fifty pounds for all they will deliver in
Atlanta by 1st of March iifit- ., ‘ff^Tioped their
So soon as I saw the act of the Legislature of
that State in tbe newspapers. I addressed a letter
to His Exceiieucy Governor Letrhrr, upon the
subject, a copy of which I herewith transmit. 1
regret to say to you that I have received uo reply
from him, and am tlierelore uuable to announce to
you what will be his policy. The salt made by
the Troup Company was seized under his procla
mation and subsequently released, but we have no
guaranty against future seizures. While I will
not believe, till compelled, that Virginia will at
tempt to rob Georgia of rights so important, at so
critical n period, I shall be ready to carry out anv
instructions of the Genera! Assembly for the de
fence of the rights of the State of Georgia to the
last extremity. We cannot submit to be deprived
uf ilie salt we are making under fair contracts
made with the proprietors of the works.' with the
assent of tlie State uf Virginia strongly implied,
and with lull kt owledge on ber pan for months
prior to the late act of her Legislature, thatGeoi-
gia was making heavy expenditures at the works
to w Inch she did not object.
Conclusion.
Profoundly impressed with the importance of
the struggle in which we are all engaged, tlie
common dangers and privations to which we are
exposed, and with the necessity for unanimity and
harmony iu cur legislative action ; I ant prepared
to sacrifice every personal consideration, to the
promotion of concord and unity, between the dif
ferent departments of the Government ot tbegreat
State, whose people have honored us with their
confidence at a time o! no ordinary peril: and to
join with the General Assembly in returning
thanks to Almighty G**d for his past mercies, and
offering fervent invocations for his future protec
tion. JOSEPH E. BROWN.
BY AV^nORXTY.
terrible calamity, is the highest obligation of
Georgian,and tit*’imperative duty ot every ret
tatrve of tliepeople. Instead, therefore, of p -ilqniitigA
our military organization to be disbanded at tln-est*^
Cal moment, I recommend the enactment of such law
as will protect every military and other Ntatc officer iti
his position, uud compel him to disi-ltargu hisMut its, or
submit to heavy penalties. I tils.) racorfjiri-s.i an *-x
tension of our State militia laws .-o t;s to^nhraee nil
persons between sixteen and sixty \ears4?f age, who
are able to perform service in their respective militia
districts and counties; and that the best provision pos
sible be made to arm at least a portion of tiie mihtiaof
each county most exposed to danger. As it is uot pos-
ible to procure a sufficient supply of tire-anus for this
jMt.VW-iu v.;J. Al'tt .WWVftf&uaed’ by successful re
sults.
\Gion this subject It only remains for me to ex
press my deep regret at the course lately taken by
the Legislature of the Slate cf Virginia. As a-
bove staled, no .xmKgact was made with tlie propri
etors of tbe salt works in that State, till after the
adjournmentsof-Jthe Legislature, which in an ex-
tra sessiou_hffil taken the question of a supply of
salt into iSifVunsidera'iou, and had adjourned,
withoulsH^dng taken any action, so far as 1 am
infurxtwHfTTiidif iting a purpose lo seize the works.
Vekii&ihnt I then had a perfect right to contract
witli |\oprietors, I entered into tho engage-
meuts.Vijjcii I have mentioned, with them, and
have hadrtarge expenditures made iu accordance
ith the contract. The two companies from this
8wite, wiri'i ii*y approval, acted in like manner,
And have expended large sums in preparing to
make salt, pot for speculation, but forborne sup
ply. Other States also followed the example of
Georgia I am uot aware, however, that the State
ol Virginia made, or, till a late period, attempted
to niafe a contract with the prupriclots of the works
for the privilege to make salt on State account.
About tlie time the works of this State, and of oth
er Stales were going into successful operation, the
Legislature of that honored eo nun on wealth again
met in extra session, and finding that the peop e
of Virginia were in need of sail, authorized the
Governor, in case of necessity, it other resources
ACTS AND RESOLUTIONS
of the Sixth Session of the
PROVISIONAL CONGRESS
OF THE
COXFBDEIiATE STATES.
1862.
(No 7.)
AN ACT in relation to the transfer of troops.
Tiie Congress of the Confederate States of
America do enact, That it shall be the duty ot the
•Secretary of War to transfer any private or non
commissioned officer who may be in a regiment
trom a State of this Confederacy otiier than his
own, to a regiment from Ins own.State, whenever
such private or non commissioned officer may
apply for such transfer, and whenever such trans
fer can be made without injury to the public ser
vice; and the Secretary of war shall make regula
tions to facilitate such transfer: Provided that
this act shall not apply to any one who has enlist
ed as a substitute.
Approved Sept. 215, 1862.
(No ff)
AN ACT to provide for the payment of certain
claims against the Confederate States in the
State of Missouri.
Tbe Congress of thp Confederate States of
Ameifca do enact. That all officers and soldiers
beliu.f iopr to tho Confederate Mates service who
were enrolled into service under the command of
Major Genera! Sterling Price, in the State of Mis
souri, shall be allowed by the Quartermasters of
the respective corps in the Confederate army to
which such officers and soldiers may belong, com
pensation according to tiie laws of the Confed
erate States for that period of their service be
tween the time of such troops having been actual
ly enrolled in tire: Confederate service and the
time of their regular acceptance by the proper au
thorities as Confederate troops.
Sec. 2 All officers and soldiers of the Missouri
State Guard called into the service of the Confed
erate States by order of any Commanding Officer
of the Confederate army, and rendering servil e
to the Confederate States under any agreements
made between the authorities ofthe State of Mis
souri and those of the Confederate Stab s shall re
ceive the same pay for the time during which
sue,* officers and soldiers may have been in such
service as they would havo beeu entitled to re
ceive if belonging to the Confederate ttrniv. Pro-
tided however. That all staff officers belonging to
said Missouri State Guard shail only receive for
their services the same compensation with Staff
Officers discharging like duties in the Confederate
Army.
See. 15. Before any officer or soldier shail he en
titled to receive pay tinder the provisions of the
two preceding suctions, he shall present to tho
■ •(fitter to whom lie may apply tor payment a cer
tificate signed by the commandant of the Divis
ion. Brigade, Regiment, or Battalion to which he
may have belonged at the time of tho rendition of
service, which certificate shall statethe precise
period during which such officer or soldjer was
in actual service, as contemplated iu the just and
second sections of this Act: Aud pruvided further,
I hat tlie said officer or soldier shall file witi* the
disbursing officer writh whom his application for
payment may be made his affidavit that the period
stated in said certificate is the true and correct
time of his actual service as aforesaid, that he is
not indebted to the Confederate .States on any ac
count whatever; and tliereapon it shall be the du
ty of any officer charged with the payment of
troops to pay such claim.
Approved Sept. 23, 1862.
No. 10.
AN ACT to regulate the. rank of officers of the
provisional corps of Engineers.
The Congress of the Confederate States of
America do enact, That the officers of tho Engi-
l *eer corps of tho Provisional Army may have
rank conferredjou them during the war, equal to
that authorized by law fur the Engineer corps of
tbe Confederate States army; Provided that the
number of officers in each grade be limited to one
Colonei, three Lieutenant Colonels, six Majors,
il£ur /’apiAm— i-.tx.inc min is atid twen
ty Second Lieutenants
Approved.Sept 2«, JS62.
No.'ll.
AN ACT amendatory of “An act to re-organize the
Marine Corps.”
Tbe Congress of the Confederate States of
America do enact, That from and after the pas-
-age of this act there shall be allowed to the Ma
rine corps, in addition to the uumber ot non-com
missioned officers and musicians allowed by the
first section ot the^act of Congress, approved May
29th. 1861, twenty Seargeants, twenty corporals,
twenty drummers, twenty fiteis, aud two princi
pal musicians, each principal musician to receive
the pay and allowance o: a Sergeant Major.
Approved Sept 24, 1862.
No. 12.
AN ACT to change tlie time for the Assembling
of Congress ffir its next regular session.
The Congress of the Confederate States ot Amer
ica do enact, That the Congress of tbe Confede
rate States-of America for its next re gular session
shall assemble on the second Monday in January,
1863, and not on the.first Monday in December-
1862.
put pose, 1 recommend tlm' provision be made to arm ; f.,j] e G. to seize the works of the other sister States
its many as possible witli good pikes and knives.
the insurgents would not b« able to procure many gnns I 1 ", " , ' ' J " c . In V’lr
*Tknives in the bands of tile militia miglft,_ in *om th. ffinuhe. of Georem «dd9 rs now m Ur
' within her borders. 'Fills se.zure, if made, takos
Dikes and knives in me lianas or me minim liugtn in i ;."'y. , ~7 . _*•
the absence of better arms, be made very serviceable! Stnta, defending the homes P _P ,
defence of our homes till the armed regiments, whir!
I have recommended to be kept in the service ofthe
Stale, could be thrown to the point attacked,oi menaced
with attack. If it were generally known among our
slaves that t heje precautions lied been used, and, in
addition to the militia, that a regular armed force is
kept constantly ready to be thrown rapidly upon them,
should they become insubordinate, 1 cannot doubt that
a salutary effect would be produced. It might also be
wise to provide fora mounted police in each of Lite
counties most exposed, to be kept as a volunteer com
pany, ready for service at ampment’* call, to drill once
State more immediately than thtdr own. ail hope
( f getting salt in time'to prevent great suffering.
This is not an appeal to Virginia to furnish to our
soldiers families that which she has made, but it
is an app'-al to her to aet in good laith, and not
take from them that which the State of Georgia
has made w ith her own capital and labor. Iftir-
ginia should make the seizure under the circnm-
stauefcs, her conduct will iu my opinion, be in
consistent with tho character of tha “Mother of
8tates.”
No. 13.
AN ACT authorizing the Secretary of tiie Treas
ury to otter a reward 1 for the apprehension and
conviction of persons engaged in forging or ut
tering counterfeit Confederate Treasury notes.
The Congress of the Confederate Slates of
America do enact, That the Secretary of the Treas
ury be and lie is hereby authorized to offer a re
ward not to exceed five thousand dollars for the
apprehension and conviction of any persou en
gaged in forging or uttering counteifeit Confed
erate Treasury notes.
Approved Sept 26, 1862.
JO ! NTResolution of thanks to Captain Raphael
Setnmes, Officers and Crpw of the Stesmer Sum
ter.
Resolved hy the Congress of the Confederate Stattu
of America, That the thanks of Congress are due,
and are horeby presented to Captain Raphael
Sentms, and the officers and crew of tbe steair.br
Sumter, under his command, for gallant and meri
torious services rendered by them, in seriously in
juring the enemy's commerce npon the high seas,
thereby setting an example reflecting honor npon
our infant navy, which cannot be too highly ap
preciated : by Congress aud the people ot the
Confederate States.
Approved, September 9,1862.
(No 2.)
AN ACT making appropriations to comply with
the provisions of certain Acts of Congress, &c.
The Congress cf the Confederate States if Americ i
do enact. That the sum of thirteen thousand five
hundred dollars be and tbe same are b reby ap
propriated cut of any money in the Treasury, not
otherwise appropriated to pay the Choctaw Na
tion of indiausthe interest due July 1st, 1862. by
tho State of Virginia tipon four hundred and fitty
thousand dollars invested in the ‘Choctaw Gen
eral Fund, which interest has been placed by the
said State in the Treasury of the Confederate
States, in trust for the said Indians.
Approved September 10, 1862.
