Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-20

by President C0pB.
Prayer offered BY Rev. MrBRaws, Of the Pre,by-
terian church.
The journal of Yesterday was read and approved.
The following members rot present yesterday reported
themselves: Messrs. MemmiDger s. G., Reagan, TeIas
Sparrow La, Harris, Mis-, Davis, N. c., Thomas, Tenn,
Seldom Va.
MrVENABLE, ONO, from the Committee appointed
yesterday wait the President and inform him TIA.
Congress was ready receive any communication he
desired TO make, reported that the Committee had per-
formed the duty assigned them and had learned from the
President tha. be would lay before them to-day com
munication in writing. An informal recess was then ta
ken till o'clock, to await its presentation. At that
hour the Presidents private Secretary appeared bearing
the Message, which read aloud from tho Clerks
desk as follows
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
To the Congress ofths Confederate Sia.es:
The few weeks which have elapsed since your adjourn.
ment have brought SO the close Of the year,
that able TO up it, general results Dhe
retrospect such should 6 the hearts Of PEI
with gratitude to Providence for BIS kind nterposten
in their behaE Abundant yields have rewarded the Ia.
Dor OF the agrcuuris whilst the manufacturing indus
Of the Confederate States was never go prosperous
now. The necessities Of the times have called into eIs
encs new branches Of manufactures and given frssh
mpulss the activity Of those heretofore in operation
The of the Confederate States for manufacturing
the necsssariss and comforts Of life within themselves in
comrg Independent of the OF the world for the sup
ply OF such military stores and munitions as are indspen
sable for war.
The operations of the army, to be partially in.
tsrupted by the approaching winter have afforded pro
lection TO the country, and shed lustre upon its
through the trying vicisstudes of than ardu
Gus campaign which cntitle brave volunteers 10
praise and our gratitude.
From its commencement up to the present period the
war has been enlarging its proportions and expanenG
is boundaries, include new fields The conflict
now extends from the shores OF the Chesapeake to the
colnes OF Msso1ri and Arizona yet sudden calls from
tue points for military aid have been met with
prompres enough only avert saSter 10 the face
Of superior number bur also, to roll back the tide OF
invasion from the border.
When tho commenced the enemy were possessed
OF certain strategic points and strong places within the
Confederate States They greatly exceeded us in NUMBER,
In available and in the supplies necessary for war
Military establishments had been long organz ID and were
complete the navy and for the most Ia the army once
common TO both, were in their possession. To meet s
this we had to create only army in the face OF
iself but also the military esabl hmens necessary 70
equip and place it 10 the field. II ought indeed 10 be
susct Of graduation that the spirit OF the volunteers
the pltrotsm OF the people have enabled Us, under
Providence, 20 grappe successfully with these dlhcu
tes succession of glorious victories at Bethel, Bull
Run, Spring ld Lexington Lessburg and Belmont, has
check the wicked invasion which greed Of gam and
the unlaoWed lust Of power brought upon our SOIL ana
has proved that numbers cease to avail when directed
against people fighting for the sacred right OF se-
government and the privileges OF treenen. After more
than seven months Of war, the enemy have nor only fall
ed to extend their occupancy of soil, but States
and Territories have been added to our Conederacy,
while instead their march Of unchecked coz
quest they have been driven at more than one point TO
assume the defensive; aud, upon fair comparison be-
tween the belhgerents 10 men, military meals, and
uancial cond on the Confederate States relatively
much stronger than when the struggle commenced.
Since your adjournment the people of Missouri hay,
conducted the war in the face OF almost unparalleled dit
:ulies with spirit and success alike worthy OF them
selves and of the great in which they srug-
cling. Since that time Kentucky, too, has become
the theatre Of active hostilties The Federal forces
have not only refused TO acknowledge her right 20 be
neutral and have insisted upon making her party to
the war, but have invaded her for the purpose Of
attacking tho Confederate States Outrages OF the most
depoc character have been perpetated upon her pco
pie some OF her most eminent citizsns have bson
seiz and borne away 10 anguish 10 foreign prisons
without knowing who were their accusers or the specific
charges made against them, while others have been
forced to abandon their homes families, and property,
and seek refuge 10 distant laudi
Finding that the Confederate States about TO be
invaded through Kentucky, and that her people, after
being deceived into mistaken security, were unarmed
and 10 danger OF being suugated by the Federal forces
our armies marched into that State TO repe the en-
cmy and preyeOt their occupation OF certain strstegc
points which would have given them great advantages
he contest-a step which justified not only by tie
necessities of selEdecnce the part of the Confederate
States but, Also by desire to aid the people Of Ken.
lucky. II never intended by the Confederate Gov
ernment to conquer or cosrce the paope OF that sac
but on the contrary IL declared by our Generals
that they would withdraw theic troops II the Federal Gov
ernmsD Dt would do likewise. Proclamation also made
o. the desire respect the neutrality of Keaucky, and
the intention to abide by The wishes Of her people as soon
as they were free 10 express their opinions.
Thesn daoiarafiOna apnrOYed by and i shOuli
regard it as one OF the best Effects oil the march OF
troops into Kentucky If t should end In giving TO her
people liberty Of choice, and free opportunity to de.
eide their own dastny according to their own will.
The army has been chiefly instrumental in prosecuting
the great contest in which engaged; but the Ma
w les also been effective in full proportion to its mesns
The naval officers deprived to great extent OF an OPP
pcrtunty to make their professional skill available at
sea have served with commendabe zsal and gallantry
on shore and upon inland vatsr further detail OF which
will be found in the reports of the Secretaries of the Ma
way and War.
In the transportation othc mails many difficulties have
arisen which will be found fully developed in the report
of ,he Postmaster General The absorption Of the ord
nary of transportation for the movement ofroops
and military suppies the nsufciency Of the rolling
stock OF rail roads for the accumulation OF business re-
supg both from military operations ard the obstruc
ton OF water communication by the presence OF the enc
nv se the failure and refusal OF contractors to
comply with the terms Of their agreement the difficulties
i1herent 10 insuSurang vast and complicated system
as that which requires postal facilities for every town
and village in territory extended as ours, have oil
combined to impede the bes. directed efforts OF The Pest
master. General whose zal industry and ability bavo
been taxed the utmost extent Some OF these den!'
lies can Only be by time and an improved con
dton of the country tho restoration OF peace but
others may be rsmeded by legislation, and your atten
ton is invited TO the recommendaiiors contained In the
r port Of the Head Of that Department
The condition Of tho Treasury will, doubtless, DO
subject Of anxious inquiry On your part sm happy to
say that the financial system already adopted has worked
vel so far and promises good results ior the faiure
tn tho extent that Treasury notes may be Issued the
oyernpaent is enabled to borrow money without inter
est and thus facilitate the conduct Of the war This er
tent IL measured by the portion OF the field OF crcnla-
zion which those no.cs be made to occupy. The
proportion of the field thus occupied depends again
upon the amount OF the debis for which they are re-
cfiy,bIe; and when dues, no. ony to the Cont'd'
ederate and State governments but also to corporations
aud individuas payable in this medium, large
amount Of il may ba circulated at par There every
reason to believe ha. the Conedeate Treasury note is
fsst becoming such medium The provision that th6s,