Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-10-09

1 TSIer you TO their report, ITOlu WuiCu
| it will be seen that the expenses incurred in
| organizing and supporting, arming and
| equipping the Provisional Army are as fol
! lows, to-wit:
| Quartermaster Generals Dep. 5 i ,657 FOG 65
| Commissary G sneraPs Dep. 627 O64 81
Paymaster Generals Dep. 1,1O4S00 00
Medical Department. 24761 81
Ordnance Department. .-.. 90,z9l 70
Recruiting Service. ... 723 Is
Advances on gun, saltpetre.pow-
der contracts, de-. l56, $40 W
Advance to Gen. Pillow, Mis-
souri, Service. ........... z0O,OOO OO
Contingent expenses. 1850 SO
Total. 81 ,637, 1913 II
There are some balances of expenditures
still due and unpaid, which it is believed will
consume the balance of the five millions ap-
propriated by the act of 9th May, 1861. These
expenditures will be assumed and refunded
to the State by the Confederate Govern
ment.
Having transferred the army to the Con-
federate States, it was deemed proper that the
army supplies of every description should be
transferred also, We have therefore transfer
red to that Government the Cap Factory, all
of our contracts for Arms, Powder, Salt Petre
and all of our Army Stores of every descrip-
u
red also, but the Government declined accep-
ting it..
The services of this Board have been of in
calculable advantages to the State, and the
duties imposed upon it have been performed
with degree of promptitude and ability,
highly creditable to the distinguished gentle
men who compose it.
To the vigilance and care of the Medical
Department we are indebted for an able and
skillful Medical Staff. and the adoption of
all measures calculated to promote the health
and comfort of our army. For full informa-
ton you are respectfully referred to the re-
port of the Department, which will, in due
time, be laid before you.
To supply aud provision the immense force
in actual service required for the defence and
maintenance of the Government we have
established, is the first and imperative duty
of the public authorities, in the discharge of
which. great effort and expenditure is deman-
ded and it is not to be expected that the
Government can at all times overcome diff
eulties at once. and promptly meet the wants
of its soldiery. The Congress of the Confed-
crate States fully appreciating this arduous
duty, provided by law that the States might
furnish to their volunteers in the Confederate
service, clothing-and directed that the Sec
rotary of War should pay the money value
therefor. Your attention is directed to this
law, approved August 80, 1861, as well as to
the probable wants and necessities of your
constituents now in active service. 1t is be-
lieved, that without relieving the General
Government of its duty to make ample pro:
vision for its soldiery, you can, by proper
| legislation, secure the comforts of your own
volunteers, and make provision against any
probable privations or sufferings upon their
part by adopting the course indicated by the
Congress of the Confederate Government in
the law referred to; extending your aid even
beyond the article CT clothing. Let your vol
unteers feel and know that you are deter
mined that in no event shall they be allowed
to suffer, if the State, by the action of its
authorities, can prevent it.
1t is beautiful episode in the history of
our present struggle, TO note the fact, that
our fair countrywomen, with that heroic de-
votion and loyalty that characterized the
women of '76, are contributing their time,
their efforts, and their means, to aid, to cheer
and sustain the men, who are imperilling
their lives upon the battle fields of the coun-
try. Countless ia value and number are the
articles which their patriotism and affection
have sent to the relief and comfort of the sol
diers of the South. The future historian of
our country will have bright page to write,
in recording the deeds of love, kindness and
patriotism of the women of the South.
mention their name and their efforts in this
connection only for the purpose of urging up
on your attention, the propriety of devising
some means for the safe Transmission aud de-
livery of such articles as they may contrib
ute, as well as such as are voluntarily ten
dered by the friends and kindred of the sol
der.
regret that it is my duty to call your at
tention to the tendency to monopoly and ex-
tortion which exists to an injurious extent
with class of our citizens, who, intent upon
the sordid purposes of gain, are taking adj
vantage of the peculiar circumstances of the
times, to reap exorbitant profits from the ne
cessities of the government and the wants OF
the people.
L Complaints have reached me from various
portions of the State, of this unpatriotic and
destructive tendency to extravagant specu-
iation, placing every article, indispensable to
the support of an army, as we'll as the or
diuary necessaries of life, at prices far above
those warranted by the legitimate laws OF
trade, and in many cases, beyond the reach
of the moro INDECENT classes of society.
The merchant and tradesman, while re-
strained within proper limits, are necessary
and Useful members of the community, and
in common with every other Legitimate pur-
suit, are entitled to the fostering care of the
Government; but when forgetful of their du-
ties as citizens, they suffer themselves tempt
ed so far upon the sea of speculation, as to
become serions evils rather than convenient
ces to the public, it becomes your duty as the
guardians of that public, to adopt such meas
ures IS will best tend to restrain illegitimate
| and improper speculation, and put down an
evil which is becoming so prevalent and mis-
chieyous. Is
In ordinary times. an outraged public SEN
| timent and the laws of trade would accom-
plish this end, but in times of general distress
and threatened danger, when the government
| is involved ia war, and must secure, regard
less of price, whatever may be necessary to
| the maintenance aud comfort of our patriotic
and brave coantrymen who have gone to the
| field to uphold the rights and the honor of
| their country, and to defend the lives and
property of thisiclass who are thus specializing
| upon their privations and necessities, the an-
| thorities cannot be too vigilant in their eff
| forts to restrain the excuses of avarice and
| protect society against the evils to which it
| is exposed.
By law of the Congress of the Confede-
rate States of America, entitled an Act "To
| put into operation the Government under
| the Permanent Constitution of the Cenfede-
rate States of America, approved May 81,
| 1861, it is provided, THAT an election shall
be held In the several States of this Confed-
eraey on the first "Wednesday in November,
| 1861, for members of the House of Represen-
| tatives in the Congress Of the Confederate
States under the Permanent Constitution -
and said Act further provides and directs
| that on the same day the several States shall
elect or appoint electors for President and
yice-President of the Confederate States OF
America, according to said Constitution
The Act directs the time aud manner in which
said electors shall discharge their duties, and