The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-10-18

crease the capacity OF their machinery to
the highest degree of efficiency, and un-
der the supervision of Samuel D. Morgan,
Esq. established percussion cap factory,
which has already yielded to the Confed-
crate States move than twelve millions of
caps. and is now producing over Dds, 900
per day.
For full particulars as to the action Of
the Board, refer YOU to their report.
from which it will be seen that tho ex-
penses incurred in organizing and sup
porting, arming and equipping the Pro-
visional Army are as follows, to wit:
Quarternaster Generals Dep't si,657,Toe 65
| coinnssary Generals Dept 627.OG4 81
| Paymastcr Generals Dept l,lO4sO0 90
| Medical Department 24T6I 2l
! Ordinance Department 9g0,2gl 20
| Advance to Gen. Pillow, No. Service 100000 90
| Recruiting Service 723 25
Contingent expenses 3l,s5I SO
| Total S,.637,l9s ~
There are some balances of expendi-
lures still due and unpaid, which it is be.
lieved will consume the balance of the
five millions appropriated by the act of
9th May, 1861. These expenditures will
be assumed and refunded to the State by
| the Confederate Government.
Having transferred the army to the
Confederate States, it was deemed proper
! that the army supplies of every descrip-
ton should be transferred also. we have
| therefore transferred to that Government
the Cap Factory, all of our contracts for
Arms, Powder. Salt Petre, and all of our
Army Stores of every description. The
! Armory would have been transferred al
so, but the Government declined accept
ing it,
The services of this Board have been
of incalculable advantages to the State,
| and the duties imposed upon it have
been performed with a degree ofprompt-
itude and ability, highly credible to the
distinguished gentlemen who compos
! it.
To the vigilance and care of the Medi-
cal Department, we are indebted for an
able and skilful Medical Staff, and the
adoption of all measures calculated to
promote the health and comfort of our
army. For full information you are re-
| spectful referred to the report Of the
| Department, which will, in due time, be
laid before you.
To supply and provision the immense
| force in actual service required for the
| defence and maintenance of the Govern
ment we have established, is the first and
imperative duty Of the public authorities,
| in the discharge of which, great effort
and expenditure is demanded; and it is
not to be expected that the Government
can at all times overcome difficulties at
, once, and promptly meet the wants of its
soldicry. The Congress Of the Confeder-
ate States fully appreciating this arduous
duty provided by law tina. the States
might furnish to their volunteers in the
| Confederate service. clothing-and direc-
ted that the Secretary of War should psy
the money value therefor. Your atten.
ton is directed to this law, approved Au-
gust 80, 1861, as well As to the probable
wants and necessities of your constitu-
ents now in active service. 1t is believed,
that without relieving the General Gov
crnment of its duty to make ample pro-
visions for its soldiery, you can, by proper
legislation. secure the comforts of your
own volunteers. and make provision
against any probable privations or suffer-
ings upon their part, by adopting the
course indicated by the Congress Of the
! Confederate Government in the law re-
ferred to; extending your aid even be-
yond the article of clothing. Let your
volunteers feel and know that you are
determined 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 country-women, with that
heroic devotion and loyalty that charac-
terized the women of '76. are contrbri.
ting their efforts. and their means, to aid,
to cheer and sustain the men who are
imperlling their lives upon the battle
fields of the country. Countless in value
and number are the articles which their
patriotism and affection have sent to the
relief and comfort of the soldiers of the
South. The future historian of our
country will have a bright page to write
in recording the deeds of love, kindness
and patriotism of the women Of the
South. mention their home and their
efforts in this connection only for the
purpose of urging upon your attention
the propriety of devising some means for
the safe transmission and delivery of
such articles as they may contribute, as
well as such as are voluntarily rendered
by the friends and kindred of the sol
der
regret that it is my duty to call youI
attention to the tendency to monopoly
and extortion which exists to an injuri
Gus extent with ,b bsass aSrdf 9f ~,
I gam are taking advantage of the pecu
liar circumstances of the times to reap
exorbitant profits from the necessities OF
the government and the wants of the
people.
Complaints have reached me from va
rious portions of the State, Of this unpa-
triotic and destructive tendency to ex-
travagant speculation, placing every ar
ticle, indispensable to the support of an
army, as well as the ordinary necessaries
of life, at prices far above those warrant
ed by the legitimate laws of trade, and
in many cases, beyond the reach Of the
more INDECENT classes of society.
The merchant and tradosman, while
restrained within proper limits, are nee
essasy and useful members of the com
munity, and in common with every other
legitimate pursuit, are entitled to the
: fostering care of the Government: but
when forgetful of their duties as citizens
they suffer themselves tempted so far up
on the sea OF speculation, as to become
serious evils rather than conveniences tt
the public, it becomes your duty as tn,
guardians of that public. to adopt such
measures as will best tend to restrain il
legitimate and improper speculation, ant
put down an evil which is becoming 81
) prevalent and fnischievous.
In ordinary times, an outraged public
sentiment and the laws of trade woulo
accomplish this end. but in times of gen
| eral distress and threatened danger
t when the government isinvolved in war
. and must secure, regardless of price
: whatever may be necessary to the main
!. tainance and comfort of our patriots
: and brave countrymen who have gone t
: the field to uphold the rights and tn
s. honor Of thsir country, and to dsfen