Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-05-04

lost time in taking possession, In the name OF the
State, of the forts arsenals and other property Of
the Federal Government within the State, and they
are now held, under my orders, by adequate gar
risonS.
will, in due time, lay before you statement of
the property thus taken into possession so soon as
reports be prepared by the proper depart
ments.
Experience having brought to light radical defects
in the laws for the organization of the military
forces of the State invite your early attention to
the subject 1t is believed that the legislation of
your late session has not materially improved our
military system and / have no hesitation in ex-
pressing the opinion that the existing laws
wholly inadequate to the emergency that is upon
u.s. l forbear making suggestions in detail upon
this subject and will content myself merely with
remarking that the military regulations of other
countries, especially those renowned for achieve
ments in arms, should not be lost sight of in the
trying necessity by which we are surrounded. The
efficiency of this branch of the public service
quires, in my opinion, thorough revision and
modification of existing legislation on the subject.
l would respectfully recommend the raising and
organization of ten regiments to serve during the
war; and that appropriate bounties be offered to all
persons thus enlistiEg.
OF the sum of three hundred thousand dollars
appropriated at your late session for arming the
State, have expended thirty-6ve thousand three
hundred and twenty dollars and htty-hve cents,
which amount will be increased by outstanding
tracts to the further sum of twenty live thousand
dollars or thereabouts
The State being at present provided with arms,
would recommend that the remainder Of this appro-
praton be directed to the preparation of munitions
of war and the manufacture of arms that may be
hereafter needed The Arsenal at Fayetteville is in
all respects suitable location for the prosecution OF
such works.
Our scaboard defences are of the utmost impor-
= lance and have engaged large share of the at
tention of this department. Specific plans for the
construction of new works and making good our
defence in that quarter will, with more proprety,
be laid before the proper committees OF your body.
An expenditure has been made for various pur-
poses connected with the defence of the State, the
details and amount of which will be communicated
to YOU by the proper officers. \ portion of it has
been advanced by private individuals and portion
remains unpaid. Adequate means should be pro-
vided to meet this expenditure, and also to enable
the State to carry the in defence of its rights
and liberties.
1t gives me pleasure to acknowledge the timely
and important aid rendered me by the Governors Of
Virginia and South Carolina towards placing our for
tfcaionS OH the coast in defencible condition.
cheerfuv reciprocated this favor to the extent of
my ability by sending TO the Governor of Virginia
a orton of the arms in our possession, and which
could conveniently be spared.
The Northern Government is now concentrating
4 large force in the District of Columbia oStenSlbly
to protect the seat of government but such force
cannot he allowed to remain within the limits of
Maryland and on the borders of Virginia without
seriously endangering the liberties of the people of
those States If they bel conquered and Overrun
North Carolina will become the next prey to the in
vaders. Policy, then, well sympathy and feel
ings of brotherhood engendered by common in
tereSt requires us to exert energies in the de-
fence Of Maryland and Virginia. Every battle
fought there will be battle Tough. in behalf of
North Carolina, and there our troops should be
speedily sent.
There can be no doubt that the people of our
State are now fully united as to the policy to be
pursued with reference to the Northern Govern
ment 1t is a settled conviction Of the public mind
that the time has arrived when We must separate
from the people Of that section of the country
They have drawn the sword against us and arc now
seeking blood. They have promised to partition
our property and the earnings OF our people among
their mercenary soldiers after our subugation shall
have been effected Even those among them who
profesSed to be our friends most Jealous in
this wicked crusade against us. All fraternity OF
feeling is lost between US and them. We can no
longer live with them. There must be a separation
at once and forever
With the view, therefore, Of the secession Of
North Carolina from the Northern Government and
her union with the Confederate States at early
a period practicable, would respectfully recon-
mend that Convention of the people be called with
full and final powers. The powers of the Conven-
ton should be full because the sovereignty Of the
people must be frequently reSorted to during the
war, and it therefore becomes necessary that it
should be temporarily reposed in the,Conventon
the action Of the Convention should be final, he.
cause of the importance of speedy separation from
The Northern Government, and the we'll known fact,
that upon this point our people are unit.
| cannot close this communication without con-
graduating you upon the harmony of feeling and
the union of purpose now existing among the peo-
pie of every part of North Carolina No sooner
was it seen that our liberties were menaced by the
usurpcr than all party feuds were forgotten and
the patriotic fires that burned in the 5oSOmS of
ancestors rckinded in the breasts of their de-
scendents. The hearts Of the people everywhere
prepared for the contest before U.S. Let us fer
vently implore Almighty God, that united counses
and harmony of purpose may prevail among us,
that may be enabled to preserve the blessings of
liberty that we have inherited from our fathers.
JOHN w. ELLIS
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
RALEIGH, May lst, 1861.
On motion of Mr.. Ransom, the message was sent
to the Senate, with proposition to print 20 copies
for each member.
Mr.. Fcrrebec offered the following preamble and
resolution, which were adopted:
WHEREAS, By an unwarranted and unprecedented
usurpation of power by the Administration at
Washington City, the government Of the United
States of America has been subverted; and, where
as the honor, dignity and welfare Of the people of
North Carolina imperatively demand they should
resist at all hazards, such usurpation-ani, where
as there is an actual state of revolution existing in
North Carolina, and sister State of Virginia,
making common cause with us, is threatened with
invasion by the said administration; now, therefore
Resolred That His Excellency, the Governor,
be authorized to tender to Virginia, to the gov
eminent of the Confederate States, such portion Of
our volunteer forces now, that may hereafter be,
under his command and that may not be necessary
for the immediate defence of North Carolina.
The rule was suspended, and the resolution pass
ed its several readings, and sent to the Senate.
Mr. Person introduced bill to call Convention
of the people The bill provides for holding cleo
ton for 12O delegates to Convention to be held
the 18th May inst, and the Convention to meet on
the goth. 1t is not limited in its action, which,
when contaminated is to be final without reference