Newspaper Page Text
i
>v Joseph Clisby.
MACON, FRIDAY, 8 O'CLOCK, p' M., NOVEMBER I
Volume XXXVL—No. 8
ilies of absent soldiers and others who labor for
a livelihood, are obliged to lire upon tho most
stintedallowance if not to endure actual suffer
ing, on account of their inability, by their la
bor, to purchase the necessaries of life. If I
hare not misconceired the true objects" of gov
ernment, the soldiers in the field from this
State, the helpless famines of many of them at
home, and all others who hare suffered by the
wicked ararice of these Shylocks, have a right
to demand at the hands of the General Assem
bly, the enactment of such laws as will afford
'all the relief possible against such cruel impo
sition in future.
Large amounts of prorisions and other mil
itary supplies must be furnished to our army
during the ensuing year. If the'State submits
to these impositions, tha prices which she pays
will become the ruling prices in the market;
and others, howerer needy or unable, must pay
as much as the State pays, or they cannot pro^
cure the articles of prime necessity.
Executive Department,
MilUtlgerille, Oa., Nov. 0, 1801,
itilfns of the Senate
j>.il IIwise of Representatives;
: T ,, r i,i the Revolution of 1770, our State
) (i K other Atlantic States of this Continent,
r frlonies of the British Government, crea-
>,v it and subject to its control. The peo-
had only such civil rights as were
;ed bv the Parliament of Great Britain,
tin- Colonies neither possessed norclaim-
jhrrent wereignty.
inhabitants, mostly of British origin,
| attached to the Crown, and were iu the
, u „-nt of prosperity and happiness,'till the
mm. nt conceived the plan of enriching
I jprrandiaing itself by imposing onerous
oppressive burdans upon the Colonies.—
j„, pie remonstrated against these aegrts-
. in the most respectful manner, giving as-
iif their loyalty, and petitioning for a
.if grievances Their petitions were
and their natural rights trampled
i bv an unwise and ambitious ministry,
iial'iy, "hen it was ascertained that their
eoverimimt ! ad ceased to be their protec-
md had hfiamie their oppressor, and that
inly alternative left was submission or rc-
r„v to tyranny, they threw off the yoke
bully defied tho power of the British
u ilie Representatives of the people met
cy. As the faith of the State would be pleds
ged for their redemption, no higher security
the Confederacy, had refused to respond prompt
ly to each and every call made upon him for
troops. Even now, I believe it may be truly
said, that the number required in each and
every Executive, haR been promptly furnished.
These acts have also been very inconvenient
in practice. The Secretary of War has fre
quently made requisition upon me as the Gov
ernor of the State for troops; these I have
promptly furnished. Thirty Regiments and
three Battalions of State troops have gone into
the service of the Confederacy. Of this num
ber twenty-one Regiments and three Battal
ions have been armou, accoutred and equipped
by the States. We now - have accepted and
nearly all in the field of State troops, not in
Confederate service, seven Regiments and three
Battalions, which with the help of the country I
arms in use, are being fully armed, equipped I
and accoutred by the State. We aJso have in |
would be asked by her citizens.
RELIEF TO THE PEOPLE.
On account of the blockade of our ports, our
planters are unable to sell their cotton, which
is the groat staple production of the State, and
brings into the State the money wich stimu
lates and sustains every other branch of indu^
i try. The taxes of the people, including the
Confederate war tax, must necessarily be far
more burdensome this year than, they have
in any previous year, in the present gener
ation. Unless something can be realized
by the sale of, or by an advance upon Cotton,
invaded onr territory with Urge armies. In
violation of every rule of modem warfare, he
has permitted his soldiers to disregard the
rights of private property and to inflict the
most grievous wrongs upon unoffending wo
men and children. By the assistance of the
God of battles, we have met his hosts in. the
field, and against vait superiority of numbers
and of preparation, wo have repeatedly dis
persed and driven them back with wild con
sternation and great slaughter. Still he per
sist* in his wicked purpose of forcing upon us
•he choice between submission to tyranny and
the vigorous prosecution of a protracted war.
Onr lives, our lilierties, our wives, our children,
our property, our all, arc at stake in this con
test, A gracious Providence has given us the
resources in men, money and means to live
within ourselves and to maintain' the war
against the invader for a whole generation.—
But one alternative is left us and but one re
sponse can he given to the iuquiry as toltour
Foster, as Quarter-master General, since that
date, will afford a detailed statement of the ex
penditure of the several sums charged in the
Treasurer's Report to account of that depart
ment of the public service. The three Reports,
I therefore recommend the enactment of a
law authorizing the Governor of this State, or
any military officer under his command, by his
direction, (or such other officer as the legisla
ture may designate,) to seize and appropriate
any provisions or other supplies of any charac
ter, necessary for the subsistence or comfort of
our troops, or for their efficiency in the service,
wherever to be found, in the hands of manu
facturers, speculators or traders, and to pay or
tenders o such manufacturers, speculator or
traders, reasonable and just compensation there
for, to be fixed by competent valuing agents.
The price fixed as the market value of the ar
ticles needed by the State, which are also the
principal articles needed by the community,
ance ot the season, by the State. Finally, the
tssSr&L of t Qua, *T? :
►ops in Virginia, I yielded the point, P *7 ma ^ regular army while
ieneral Phillips’resignation, and per- ™ r ? ce °?. thc State ’ «* ,s b , e, ‘ eTed ’
troops to be mustered into the Con- * U the ^ece^ary to a complete au
to sustain the Government, if -they can raise
the money by sale of products of their labor ;
but they are not willing to have large amounts
of valuable property sacrificed under the Sher
iff’s hammer, to raise small sums of money to
derstanding of the entire disbursement of thc
whole sum.
SALE OF STATE BONDS.
The Act oi the last General Assembly of the
State which appropriated one million of dollars
as a military fund for the year I8G1, made
provision for raising the money by the sale ot
Six per cent State bonds. At the time of the
passage of the Act, our Six per cent bonds
were above par in the market and were eager-,
ly sought after by capitalists. Soon after the
dissolution of the United States Government,
bonds and stocks of all kinds were greatly do-
predated in the market, and it became impossi
ble to raise money at par on any securities bear
ing only six per cent interest The Government I
meet their taxes. In this state of things it is
I the duty of the Government to do all that can
be done, to afford relief.
As the best mode of relief which occurs to my
mind, I recommend the appointment of an offi
cer of ability and experience, with a competent
salary, which will enable him to devote bis
whole time to .the work, who shall be author
ized, on receiving satisfactory evidence that any
planter has deposited his cotton in any ware
house in any interior town of this State, and
has insured the same against loss by fire for
[twelve months, with any solvent Insurance
I Company in the State, to advance to each plan-
! ter two thirds of the market value of his crop
to be paid in Treasury notes of thiaState, secur
ed as above proposed, which are to be received
in payment of all public dues, and funded
with eight per cent bonds when presented for
that purpose, redeemable at the option of the
State after a’ short period.
The law should give the State thc control of
About the time these troops left, the Secre
tary of War also ordered out of the State, the
Regiment of Begulan under CoL Williams,
and the 2d Regiment of volunteers commanded
by CoL Scmmes, Lath excellent Regiments,
well drilled and armed. This left the coast al
most entirely defenceless. By that time I had
permitted nearly all the arms of thc State to
go into the Confederate service, and it has been
a very difficult matter to get arms enough to
supply the troops since ordered to the.coast.
At the time Fort Putaski was, by an ordi
nance of our State Convention turned over to
the Confederate Government, the number and
size of the guns in the Fort were very inade
quate to its successful defence agaiust a fleet
with heavy guns, and as the Secretary of War
made no provision for the proper supply of guns
or ammunition, I deemed it my duty to pur
chase with funds from the State Treasury the
necessary supply, which was done at a cost of
$ 101,521,43. In this estimate is included the
freights paid on the supply, and a number of
future policy.
future policy. That response is on the tongue
of every freeman, it is felt from bieast to breast,
and heard from lip to lip, reverberating from
the hill tops to the mountains and from the
mountains to the valleys, Victory oter the in-
coder, or death to the last man sooner than ac-
Inotcledge that ice are vanquished. Tlic hearts
of the whole people of the seceded States are
as (lie heart of one man, and that great heart
beats responsive to the patriotic sentiment, that
tho enemy may exterminate us if he haB the
power, but conquer us, he never shall.
UNCONSTITUTIONAL LEGISLATION DANGEROUS TO
STATE RIGHTS.
The Constitution formed by the Convention
and since adopted by each of the eleven Con
federate States, is the old Constitution of the
United States, amended and improved in such
particulars as the experience of three quarters
of a century had shown to be necessary. Un
der this Constitution, the new government of
the Confederate States is now in successful op
eration and is maintaining itself with great a-
bility both in the Cabinet and in the field.—
The action of our Congress has been generally
characterized by prudence, wisdom and fore
thought While I take much pleasure in mak
ing this statement and in yielding to the new
government my hearty and cordial support the
candor, which* I would exercise towards a
friend, compels me to say, that in my judgment
two important acts passed by our Congress,
are hard to reconcile with the plain letter and
spirit of the Constitution.
■ Mi-n'ion, and appealing to the God of the
„t-,- fur the rectitude of their intentions
i , :niMy and fervently invoking His assist-
- in the mighty conflict in which they were
,ii I., engage, declared that the Colonies
v, »:.•! ol right ought to bo free, sovereign
independent Slates. An attempt was then
\ In force of arms to coerce the Colonies
, into a union with the British Govern-
: in tliis conflict the disparity of physical
s.’ih was fearful. The Government of
it Britain was a power of the'first wagni-
. p i.-scssmg large fleets and armies, tbo-
•hlv equipped mid armed with thc best mili-
weapons of the age. Thc Colonics were
nut fleets or armies, numbering but three
,.ms of people, badly trained, almost desti-
uf arms or military equipments, relying
,, under thc blessings cf Heaven, upon
military beads in the State, each having the
power to order out the Militia without inform
ing the other of the companies ordered by him,
conflict and confusion must be thc inevitable
result Again, as these independent Regiments
receive their commissions from the President,
and leave the State without official notice to the
Executive, there is no record in Georgia which
gives the names qf the officers or privates or
shows that they are in service from the State.
The only knowledge which the Executive has
of their being in service, is such as he derives
from the newspapers or other channels of in
formation common to any private citizen of the „ __ r ,
State. our climate was considered a sufficient protec-
But I fear that these acts may, in the end, en-1 tion of our coast against invasion. But an at-
tail upon us or our posterity a greater misfor- tack was reasonably looked for, so soon as the
tune than the mere practical confusion and in- advanced stage ot the season would render the
convenience growing out of them. As I have I health' of an army on the coast secure. I had
before remarked, they give to the President the petitioned the Secretary of War to send a lar-
control of the Militia,* of the States and the ap- gcr force to our coast, prior to the order by
pointment of the officers to command them, which I called out tieu. Phillips’ Brigade, and
without the consent of the States. This is an had offered to supply, promptly, any number
imperial power, which in the hands of an able, of troops needed in obedience to a i
fearless popular leader, if backed by a subservi- from the War Department, and bad mentioned I
ent Congress in the exercise of its taxing pow-1 five thousand as the number which I consider
ed would enable him to trample under foot all ed necessary. He replied, declining to order
of the Confederate States fixed the rate of
interest on its bonds at eight percent, and per
sons having money to invest preferred these
bonds to the six per cent bonds of any State. I
was consequently unable to raise money on the
bonds bearing the rate of interest fixed by the j
uses,” by paying “just compensation; and
does not require the government, in such cases
to pay exorbitant and unreasonable prices.
I commend this subject to your serious con
sideration, not doubting that you will do all in
your power to protect both the State and her
citizens against the wicked and cruel designs
of those, whom avarice leads to turn a deaf ear
statute without putting them upon tbn market
at a considerable discount. After some nego
tiation, most of the Banks of this State agreed,
each in proportion to the amount of its capital
stock, to advance to the Treasury at seven ter
cent such sum as might be necessary to con
duct our military operations. This advance
was made upon a statement placed upon the
Executive Minutes and a copy forwarded to
each, by which I agreed to recommend the
Legislature when assembled, to authorize the
issue of seven per cent bonds to each for the
sum advanced, payable at the end of twenty
_ years, the interest to be paid semi-annually
requisition and the State to reserve to herself the right,' at
’ I her option, to redeem tho bonds by paying to
the holders the principal and interest due at
the end of five years. Upon this agreement., a
copy of which is herewith transmitted, togeth-,
er with a statement of the sum advanced by
each Bank, the wants of the Treasury were re
lieved, and such sums have been advanced from
time to time as the necessities of the State re
quired. It is proper that I mention in this con
nection, that the Central Rail Road and Bank
ing Company, through its able and patriotic
President, the Hon. R. R. Cuyler, tendered to
the State one hundred thousand dollars and
took Six per cent bonds in payment before any
other Bank had acted, and at a time when mo
ney could not be commanded in the market at
that rate. This conduct was alike liberal and I
patriotic, and was followed by an agreement
on the part of several other Banks, each to take
ten per cent upon its capital stock, to which
the six per cent bonds were issued according
ly. I do not think it right that these Banks
should be permitted to sustain loss on account
ef their liberality; and I therefore recommend
that the six per cent bonds issued to each Bank I
in this State on account of these sums advan
ced, bo taken up, and tnat seven per cent bonds
be substituted in their place, and also that sev
en per cent bonds be issued to all the other
Banks for the sums advanced by them in ac- I
cordancc with the agreement upon which they I
made their respective advances. “ *
ttlG Cotton till sold, and makp ample provision
for the repayment to the Treasury of the prin
ciple advanced, with eight per cent interest, thc
rate paid by the State, when the blockade is re
moved, aud the Cotton sold. This would en
able our planters to realize upon their crops, a
sufficient sum, to meet their current expenses,
and to pay all texas.required of them for the
necessary expeiise of the war, and the support
of the Government. I think our people have
a right to expect some such relief as I have
proposed at onr hands; and I most respectful-
ly, but earnestly invoke for this subject the ata
, avarice leads to turn a deaf ear
alike .to the dictates of patriotism and humani
ty, and who are ready to sacrifice ail that is
dear to a people to satisfy their.own inordinate
desire for gain.
OUR TROOPS IN THE FIELD.
It is impossible to bestow too much praise
upon our gallant troops now in service. Those
of them who have had an opportunity to meet
the enemy, have not only sustained the high
character of Georgia, but have covered them
selves with unfading glory; and many of them,
sealing their offering upon their country’s al
tar with their life’s blood, have transmitted
their names to posterity upon history’s bright
est page. I have not the slightest fear that
ive have a single Regiment or Company in the
field from this State, that will ever falter in
the face or the enemy, or fail to perform the
tentive consideration of the General Assembly.
STAY LAW.
In connection with the foregoing subject, I
may remark that my views on the subject of
Bank suspension and stay laws, having been
frequently promulgated, are well known to the
people of this State.
In ordinary times, and under ordinary cir
cumstances, I believe all such laws are wrong
in principle, corrupting in practice, and in vio
lationof that good faith which should charac
terize all commercial transactions between man
and his fellow man. Hence I have, on all pre
vious occasions, withheld my assent from all.
such enactments; believing that they generally
have their origin in unjust speculations; and
that they are used by the designing, to wrest
from the hardy sons of toil, thc just incomes of
* The liith item ol the 8th section of the 1st
article of the Constitution of the Confederate
States, is in these words: “Congress shall have
“ ‘To provide for organizing, arming and
: . • States Ih the empire, and place the au-
rcnie power in the hands of the few. Many
to I d not aspire to the throne in case of thc
. diment of a monarchy, »>o doubt looked
• -iMtions as ministers at court, or for duke:
:.n ami other grades of noble hereditary dis-
ii,in that would elevate them and their pos-
-iv t» permanent ruling positions above the
rit mass of their fellow-citixens. This class
tsoiis opposed tlm great doctrine of State
•s and sought to divest the States of their
i rvienty, mid virtually (o'convert them into
tr provinces of a c lnsolidited central pow-
Tlie doctrines of this class of statesmen
i . however, successfully combatted in the
.trillion by the great champions of the doc-
,1 St,iU Sorerrignty, wild succeeded in
inog the sanction of the convention to a
i.iitution, w hich, while it delegated to thc
tr.il government such attributes of sover-
;nty as were necessary to conduct tho foreign
iirs of a confederation of States, and to reg-
cr Mich internal affairs between the States
i .--ary to the good of the whole as were be-
power
highest deeds of heroism, when occasion is of
fered for such display. ' It is a matter of pro
found regret that a body of such troops as we
have sent to; the field, should ever lack for any
thing necessary to their comfort while in ser
vice. I have rendered all the aid possible with
;he limited means at my command, in clothing
and making tie a comfortable; but it has not
been in my t ;vcr to do halfdsmuchas I wish
ed to do. Tie \ ho will consider that our mili
tary appr~ ;>ri for the year just closed was
but §l,LmO,OOi>, *d that in addition to the
purchase’of ordu .nee, ammunition and other
military stores, and the large sums expended
in the organization of thc Georgia Regular Ar
my, the State has more than 40,000 troops in
the field, over half of whom she has fully arm
ed, accoutred and equipped, besides furnishing
valuable supplies to Regiments not armed by
her, and paying the expense of some twenty-
five hundred of these troops for nearly two
section of the act is in these words :
“That the volunteers so offering their servi
ces, may be accepted by the president, in com
panies to be organized by him into squadrons,
battalions or regiments. The President shall
appoint all field and staffofficers, but tho Com
pany' officers shall bo elected by the men com
posing thc Company; and if accepted, the offi
cers so elected shall be commissioned by the
their daily labor.
But these are no ordinary times. We arc in
the midst of evolution, and yonr predecessors
have authorized the suspension of the Banks,
and have stayed the collection of debts till 1st
Our Ports are blockaded so
panies to be organized by him into squadrons,
battaiibn.\ or regiments. I 1 ..-!’ * | r “ ”
pany officers shall be elected by the
December next
that our planters cannot send their Cotton and
other produce to market, and it is impossible
for our Banks to import specie at an}' price,
with which to redeem their bills. In this
state of things, to require them to resume, is to
require an impossibility. It occurs to m<‘
elected shall be commissioned by the
President" . ' ,
The first section of the act approved 11th
May 1801, is in these words:
“That the President be authorized to receive
into service such companies, battallions or reg
iments, either mounted or on foot, as may ten
der themselves and lie may require, without
the delay of a formal call upon thb respective
States, to serve for such term as he may pre
scribe.”.
And part of the third Section of said act is in
these words:
“The President shall be authorized to corn-
all officers entitled to commission of
months in camp of instruction, will readily see
why it has not been in my power to do more.
HOSPITAL FOR THE SICK.
I cannot close this reference to the condition
and wants of our. troops, without calling your
attention to the necessities of our sick and
wounded soldiers in Virginia. We are inform
ed that their suffering has been very great for
want of proper nursing and hospital accommo
dations. A most patriotic association of Geor
gians has been formed for thc purpose of allevi
ating the sufferings and supplying thc wants
of the sick and woundod. This association
has estalished hospitals in Virginia and col
lected large sums of money from our citizens
by donations, to sustain these institutions; but
the sums which will be required for the ensu
ing year, Will be greater than the association
can reasonably expect to raise by voluntary
contribution. I contributed out of the military
fund $5,000, to assist in the establishment of
the Hospital at Richmond; and I recomni'm-l
such liberal appropriation for the purpose of
sustaining these institutions in future, as will
secure to the troops wherever they be, when
confined by affliction, all the attention and
This would
place all the Banks upon an equality and do
justice to each of them. The part of the loan
ges by our Banks dnnng-the suspension, so as
to cause them to do justice to the people, and
prevent their insolvency when they shall, at a
future day, be called upon to resume specie
payment
It is also absolutely necessary to extend the
stay law between other debtors and creditors.
Should creditors be permitted in the midst of
the preent crissis, by legal process, to bring
tho property of debtors to sale by the Sheriff,
who is required by law to sell for cash, the re-
which has been taken amounts to $867,500.—
Of this sum $25,000 of the six per cent, bonds
were issued to Sharp’s. Manufacturing Compa-
.... p #rt p a y f or carbines
established and approved by tho people, placing
this vast Military powor in his hands, he tqay
make the Presidency a stepping stone for tho
gratification of his unholy ambition, and by the
ny, of Connecticut, in i . ,
purchased from the Company, leaving the sura
of $842,500 taken by the Banks of this State,
upon which only $305,000 of bonds have been
issued, the balance having been advanced with
out the issue of bonds upon the contract above
mentioned. While nearly thc whole amount
of the military appropriation had been expend
ed prior to the end'of the fiscal year, the re
ceipts from the State Road and from other
sources have been such as to meet the ordina
ry expenses of the government, as well as the
extraordinary appropriations of the last Legis-
use of the Military at his command, may as
sume the imperial robes and seat himself upon
a throne.
To guard effectually against usurpation, sus
tain republican liberty and prevent the consol
idation of tho power and sovereignty of the
States in the hands of the few, our people
should watch, with a jealous eye, every act of
their representatives tending to such a result,
and condemn in the most unqualified manner
every encroachment made by the general gov-
ernment upon either the rights or the sorer-
mission i— -jv—
such volunteer forces as may' be received under
the provisions of this act”
The language of our Constitution is the same
that is used in ihe Constitution of the United
States, and it is believed that the term Militia,
as there used when applied to troops was always
understood to be in contradistinction to thc
term regular. The constitution gives to Congress
the power to “raise and support armies.” Un
der this authority our regular army is enlisted
and its officers are appointed by the government
under whose authority it is raised. In this
case there is no restraint upon the power of
saving to the States the exercise of all thetr
*wcd powers. The other class, headed chicfiy
■r Northern statesmen, attempted, bv a latitud-
aarian construction of tho Constitution, to ac-
aplinh indirectly what they had failed to se»
wc directly, and to consolidate tho govern-
taut by the assumption, in practice, ol powers
•< dc egited hy the States. The conflict has
Wad through a long Hcric* o( ycurs, and thc
Wanes of the two classes of statesmen at dif-
•vti, times and under different names, have
'em a> various as the ebbs and floods of pop-
J»r sentiment under different influences and
•rolled by different interests, have bten un-
aaU*.
The statesmen of the original federal school
>' i\ however, with the assistance of thc tariff
;‘*L navigation acts, fishery laws, and other
.’hhtion intended to build up and foster
Northern interests at the expense of Southern
udmiry, succeeded in directing the Northern
D,:a I into the consolidation channel. B.v the
lusirntnentality of these laws, the government
'• 'he L'nited Stale* lias poured the wealth of
•be productive South into thc lap of the bleak
«d sterile North, and the people of the ice-
>'l»d hills of New England have grown rich
“d haughty upon thc tribute which they have
rVh , l on the productions of the sunny South.
The re-iuli has very naturally been, tnat they
‘sve leamad to look up to tlie government
*hich taxed our industry for their advantage
»nd enriched them at our expense, as the groat
h»|*user oi ail benefits; and they havo sought
10 strengthen its hands and enlarge its powers
J .v weakening tho liana* and diminishing thc
powers of the States. They were willing to
consolidate the government, if the government
would, in turn, enrich then*. They have used
slavery question to excite tho masses and
Place in power such men as would odminis-
! <r tl, e government for their benefit.
The people of the Southern States,-who have
,‘ r y" *>'• sufl'erers under the operation of the
•"krai government, which ha* drawn from
’A*'1> C income* of their labor to enrich tbeir
■“•'diem neighbors, havo very naturally op-
: " >r d the consolidation of all power* at Wasb-
mgte.u and have maintained tho doctrine of
i hights as their only security against the
ta-'roachtnents of haughty and unrestrained
■"‘periai power. They endured wrongs and
’ 11 knotted to injustice till their wrongs were
cessity during the winter. Considering the
danger imminent, I lately requested the Secre
rary of War to order back to the coast, five
Regiments of armed Georgia troops. This re
quest was at the time declined by the Secreta
ry, who agreed, howerer, to supply the Con
federate General in command at havannab with
one thousand of the Enfield Rifles lately im
ported.
As very little expenditure has been made by
the Confederate Government to place Georgia
in a defensive condition, and as the number of
Confederate troops upon the coast is not soffi-
laturc; also to pay part of the drafts upon the
militaiy fund, and to leave in the Treasury at 1
the end of thc fiscal year, a net balance of
$824,099 80. As this sum in the Treasury i
was not appropriated for military purposes,
but is mostly appropriated for other purposes
and nndrawn, I had no right under the Consti
tution to draw upon it, and as the military
fund was lately exhausted and the perilous
condition of the State required large expendi
tures and .prompt action for the defence of the
Coast, it became necessary for me to negotiate
mand, to buy up the property of pot-.- debtors,
at almost nominal prices ; and would cause an
immense amount of suffering among helpless
women and children; whose husban-ls and fa
thers, never anticipating the present state of
things, contracted debts when money was plen
tiful, and the country prosperous, which, had
that state of things remained, they conld easily
have paid; but which tbeir whole property, if
forced to sale by the Sheriff would now bo in
sufficient to satisfy. Many of these debtors,
leaving a very small amountof property for the
support of their families at home, are no w in the
Military service of the country, risking them-
selves, and sacrificing alt the pleasure at home,
in defence of our lives, liberties and families.—
I can imagine no greater' cruelty, than to per
mit tho creditor in the absence of (he soldier,
to take from bis family, the small pittance left
for their support It is true, few creditors
might be so cruel as to attempt this, but the
law should make ample provision for the pro
tection of the weak and the helpless, against
those who might be prompted by avance, to
disregard the dictates of humanity. I there-
proinpt organization of one division in case of
emergency. The position of Major General
was tendered to Gen. Henry R. Jackson, who
has lately gained a very important victory
over a greatly superior force of tho' enemy in
North Western Virginia, who declined it in fa-
vor of Colonel Win. H. T. Walker, late of the
United States Army, and a most gallant son of
Georgia. I then, in Accordance with the re
commendation of Gen.. Jackson, and thc dic
tates of my own judgment tendered the appoint
ment to Col. Walker, by whom it was accepted.
a further loan with the Banks of Savannah to
meet the emergency, till an appropriation could
be made. This I thought better than to con
vene the Legislature in extra session, a very
short time previous to the regular session. Un
der this arrangement, I have received from the
money as may be required for a bold and vig
orous defence of our beloved State against the
aggressions of a wicked and powerful foe.—
Should we havo to continue our troops in the
field, which I think quite probable, during the
winter, an appropriation of less than $3,600,-
000 will be insufficient to meet the the exigen
cies of the service for the ensuing year.
It is true the sum asked for is large, but the
emergency in which we are placed and thq re-
[ suits which must follow our action- are such,
that we cannot for a moment stop to count the
cost. The only question proper for discussion
now is, how many men and how much money
are necessary to protect the State and repel the
invasion. Other States have voted larger sums
than I have asked. I see by the message of
Governor Hams, that the gallant State cl Tenn
essee has appropriated and expended $5,000.-
000 as a military fund within the last six
months. \‘
How the amount of money above demanded
is to be raised, is a question for the snious con
sideration of the General Assembly. The war
tax imposed by the Confederate Government,
together with the expenses assumed by differ
ent counties for supplies needed by their com
panies in the service, will greatly increase the
burdens of taxation. If we add this addition
al sum to that to be collected within the pres
ent yes:, the burden will be too onerous. On
the other hand, we should not forget that the
. debt, which we now incur, with the interest, has
to be paid by us and our posterity. VThilo we
cannot avoid some increase of the public debt
Banks of Savannah, through G. B. Lamar,
Esq., whose services have been of great value
to the State both in New York prior to the se
cession of Georgia from the old Union, and in
Savannah since that time, such . sums as tho
service required, for the repayment of which it
will be necessary to provide out of the milita
ry fund to be appropriated at the present ses
sion. The amount advanced is not yet large,
but it will become necessary to increase it daily
until an appropriation is made to meet the
of sufficient capital and great energy of charac
ter, acting in conjunction with Mr. John D.
Gray, of Catoosa county, whose reputation for
energy and enterprise is well known to our peo
ple, is perfecting preparations to manufacture
at Columbus, excellent Rifles in large num
bers, within the next two or three months.—
It.is said they have already made considerable
progress in their enterprise and that Mr. Gray
can furnish stocks quite rapidly, and that with
his aid Col. Moses will soon be able to turn out
the guns complete. Should it be found on a
thorough, investigation of this subject by the
military committee, that the enterprise of Col.
Moses and Mr. Gray will bo successful, I rec
ommend that a contract be entered into with
these gentlemen, or with any others who may
be’prepared to furnish the arms, for such sup
ply as the future necessities of tho State may
require. ... _ \ , }.-
Walker, by whom it was accepted.
Brigadier General was tendered
►ted by CoL Paul J Scmmes, for
Irigado, and to Col. William Phil-
burth Brigade. With a view to
more speedy and active service under the Con
federate Government, General Walker and
General Semmes resigned before they bad or
ganize their respective commands. About
this time, our relations with the Government
of the United States assumed so threatening
an aspect that I ordered General Phillips to or
ganized his Brigade as rapidly as .possible, and
to throw tha officers into a camp of instruction
for training, that they might be the better pre
pared to render effective those under their com
mand. This camp of instruction was continued
for about two weeks, and theoffleere sent home
to hold their respective commands in readiness.
This wt*s the condition of our volunteer, organ;
ization early in Jane when thc United States
troops crossed the Potomac, and invaded the
soil of Virginia. Not knowing how soon a sim-
onel. This act, by vesting in the President the
power of appointing the officers of the Militia,
which power tho States have carefully and ex
pressly reservod to themselves, enables him to
control, independent of State authority the
whole consolidated Military force of tbu Con
federacy, including the Militia as well as the
regulars. If this practice is acquiesced in, the
Confederate government, which has the control
of the purse, with the power to tax the people
of the States to any extent at its pleasure, also
acquires the supreme control oi the Military
force of the States, tnd with both the sword and
the purse in his own hands may become the
! fore in view of our necessities, waive for the
present, all my objections to this character of
legislation, and recommend the enactment of
such laws, as will continue the suspension, and
protect the poor and unfortunate from the grasp
tain our troops in tho field. I earnestly solicit
for this subject the early attention of the Gen
eral Assembly.
TREASURY NOTES. -
It is possible the State might find it difficult
to raise by the sale of bonds, the portion of thc
money above recommended to be raised in that
way for the ensuing year. Should it be found
that such is the case, I recommend that the
Treasurer of this Statejbo authorized to issue,
under the order of the Governor,-treasury notes,
similar to those issued by the Treasury Depart
ment of the Confederate State; ar.d that said
notes be made receivable in the payment of
taxes, or any other debt due the State, or tho
State Road.
And for the purpose of giving these, notes
credit as currency, let provision he madb by
law, that any person presenting, at the Treasu
ry five' hundred, or one thousand dollars of
them, shall be entitled to havo anil received for
kaid notes, a bond, of the Suite of'Geprgi;^ for
the same amount, bearing eight per cent inter
est, payable semi-annually, the principal to be
paid at thecnd.of tetj years; with the like pri
vilege for each additional amedntOf live hun
dred or one thousand dollars presented.- -
’ This would place the notes upon a basis of
security-thattlie most cautious could not sus
pect, and would doubtless enable the State to
of the avaricious and the powerful, till the es
tablishment of our independence shall have re
lieved us from the embarrassments which have
grown out of the revolution.
', UNPATRIOTIC SPECULATION*.
It is a matter of the most profound regret in
the' present eventful crisis, when the whole en
ergies of our people are being exerted to the
utmost capacity in the cause of our. jude-
* ’ * ‘--‘ds of our fellow
ccept their servi-
controllable master instead of the useful servant
of the States. ....
I am not aware of any caso in which the
Government of the United States prior to its
disruption, ever claimed or exercised the power
to accept volunteer troops, commfesion their
officer* and order them into service, without
consulting tho Executive authority of the State
from which they were received. The idea does
not seem ever to have occurred to President
Liucoln, so long as he held himself bound by
any constitutional restraibts, that he had any
power to accept troops from thc border States
(o assist iti coercing u* into obedience, without
A V'JUHVt
In accordance with the recommendations Of
a convention of Gun Smiths held at Atlanta, I
have appropriated a part of the forges in the
machine shop of tho State Road, to'the purpose
of forging gun barrels, and a number of hands
are now engaged there in that business. .1
have also ordered to be procured boring and
citizens who have but little except their servi
ces, to give, have nobly responded to their coun
try’s call and rallied to her standard in the field,
leaving helpless families behind with but little
means of support except their daity labor, that
combinations have been formed by hard-hearted
and unpatriotic speculators, to buy up and -en
gross almost tho entire supplies of the nepessa-
ri.--.iit' lite, thorn which neither the families
of soldiers nor others, efth -subsist. So soon as
‘these unprincipled public plunderers havo ob
tained ttie control of any necessary commodity,
they hav£ not only robbed the government by
demanding, anil compelling it to pay the most,
cnoi mous profits, but they have wronged <*fr
.•oldie' s in the service, by Compelling thetf lo k !
pay two nr three prices forlirticles which were'
absolutely indispensable to the health and com-
.fort, and have raised the prices of many notes* 1
sarv articles of provisions at home, till fhefam-J
are how engaged there in that business. .1
have also ordered to be procured boring and
•rifling machines and turning lathes, and will be
prepared in a few weeks to make rifle barrels
complete. These barrels are to be given out
to the gun-smiths, who, under contracts for
that purpose are to. finish thc guns after the
pattern, of the Harper’s Ferry rifle.
POWDER HATERIAL.
Soon after the St.1 • h-l ro u the 1 moll,
in view of our perilous Condition, and the great
sparcjty qf salt petre and sulphur iu the State,
and jpdeid in tlfc Smith, I Cut it myrduty to
use every exertion in my power to procure the-
material, without which it would bo impossible
to make the supply of powdbr absolutely ne
cessary to our safety and the success of our
“* wnger sufferable. They again ana again
*»nw.d the people of the Northern States of
'""•'sequences of further aggression. Their
earning* wei o unheeded and their remonstran-
* cru 'net with renewed acts of injustice;—
that there was no further safety for
in the Confederacy, each .one of eleven
**'■* <•• its separate capacity'as au independ-
J 1 '* reign power asserted its original rights
r ' > nuiing a i| ;|,e -attribute*- of it* original'
virreignty. The government of the United
. '' s h now Jn fact s consolidated military
"JWiMn, and executive'who claims.and
W* rxrrcisea the right to suspend the writ of
. , *»* Corpus and to imprison ;if> chain* or
**<■ tin-live* <if. tha citizens of tlic States of
*’■ iPvtrnatqp'Hm his pkksure, dtmies the
r *vngnty of the States, contemns the doc*
IOr HuuiVUiMo umww— ■ ■ 11 d —; • •
quire it. This ord r was promptly, obeyi-d by
the energetic and efijeftnt officer to! whom it
Wits given. -General Phillip.', as.-islcd by Ad
jutant Genera) Wayne, pnd Major Capers, the
'Mipcrintendant of the Georgia Militur\ lmti-
tute pr,.--ed forward tho instruction arid'pro-
pu-aimn of llw troops with great activity and
energy. The troops remained, in camp from
the 1 Ith .flf’june till thp -d of August. They
were a noble, patriotic, chivalrous band ofGcor-
I
