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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.