Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1849-12-15
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
.a (ooNcLuDED.)
/ MILITARY AFFAIRS

MILITARY AFFAIRS
Immediately after the adjournment of
the Legislature, visited the Arsenals.
and subsequently attended as many of the
regimental reviews, in the parishes and
upper districts, as my civil engagements
would permit. regret to acguaint YOU
that found the military condition of the
State deplorably defective. Not only
the ordinary means of defence, but mea-
surably all the materials of war, were
wanting The martial ardoo, too,
which, its admitted, distinguishes our
people, seemed to be warning, and the not
unfrequent exhibitions of listlessness and
Indifference by tho officers, as we'll as rri-
Yates, plainly showed that the absence
ofexciting influences, was operating in
juriously upon the true interests Of the
State.
It's, perhaps, unnecessary to assure
you that South Carolina must, hereafter.
exist as military people The history
Of our country, for the last ten wears.
affords abundant proof that, as long as
the Union endures, there is to be no
peace for the STAKEHOLDER. An eternal
warfare against his rights of person and
property, under the associated influence
of the people and States of the North,
and the central power, has been solemn,
ly and deliberately decreed. For this
reason, it is essentia! that The community,
of which he is a member, should be pre-
pared at any moment, Tor every emergen-
cy.
The measures which are best adapted
to put the State in condition of fdefe >ce.
to insure an efficient military organization,
and to arouse the vigilance, the pride,
and the energy of the citizen soldier,
should indicate your path of duty at this
time.
Bya resolution of your last session,
the Governor was required to increase
the number of small arms in the Arsenals
to 10000, fit for service and not to per.
nit areduction below it, by ordinary is.
sues. To carry into effect this important
resolution, the Legislature neglected to
put one dollar at my disposal. Indepen
dent of $4,000 dollars for the purchase
and distribution of arms, and 81 900, the
amount that was in the Treasury, to the
credit of the fund, for the same object.
under the act Of SO, have expended
and contracted to pay for muskets, rifles,
swords, and musket accoutrements. $1O,-
600 of the appropriation for military con-
tingeneies.
Having received from the War Depart
ment, the quota of this State, for al.
as, and the present year, there have
been deposited in the hrsenais, acquired
from that source, and by purchase. since
o. Jcommencenacnt of my administration,
the number and character of arms speci
fied in exhibit A.
The cleaned musk.ts, of which the
number is, propoytionally, very large. and
those that have always been in GOOD or
der, show the aggregate that You will
find in exhibit b.
Deducting the repaired guns, which
are very suitable for distribution, there
will exist deficiency Of arms in the arms
in the arscnals, absolutely required for
public service. which, Trust, will readily
be supplied OF other military weapons
and materials. the number needed ;s de.
tailed in exhibit O, to which / refer Won
To what extentit is advisable - l;e'
tribute the public arms among the peo-
pie. is aquestion for your decision The
repaired muskets and rifles ara tbe onlv
guns that hay consented should he
withdrawn from the arsenaIs, and to this
rule, unless otherwise directed by tho
I,ooisIatstfe 4 fsa,aroit,s oh H. a.o