The Van Buren press., 1861-07-31

a copy of my communication to the President and
comnander-in- chief Of the army and navy of the
United States and Of the report Of the officer charg
ed to deliver my oegnmunieation. There are some
other passages in the renarkable paper which
have directed your attention to- having reference to
the retalliations which exist between this govern
ment and the States usually termed the border
slave States which cannot be properly withheld
from notice. The hearts Of our people are aniuaat
ed by sentiments toward the inhabitants of thess
refusing to consider them enemies, or authorize
hostilities against them. =
That . very large portion Of the people Of these
States regard brethren that if unrestrained
by the presence of large armies. andthe subyersion
some of them at least, would joyfully unite with
Us that they are, with almost entire unanimity,
opposed to the prosecution Of the war waged
against US, facts which daily recurring events
fully warrant the assertion of.
The President Of the United States refuses to re-
cognze in these late sister States, the right Of
refrainng frcin attack on u.s. and justifies his re-
fusal by the Assertion that States have other
power than that reserved to them in the Union by
o State of the Union. This view of the constitu-
tonal relations between the States and the general
government. is fitting introduction to another
seion Of the message that the executive possesses
delegating that power to military commanders at
their discretion. And both these propositions
claim respect equal to that which felt for the add
tonal statement of opinion in the same paper that
it is proper, in order to execute laws that some sim
gle law made in such extreme tenderness of the
citizens liberty, that practically relieves of
the guilty than innocent, should be to very limit
ed extent be violated. We may well rejoice that
ernment that thus tramples ON all principles of
constitutional liberty, and with it people in
whose presence such avowals could be hAsaraed.
Operations in the field will be greatly extended
by reason Of policy, which, heretofore has been Sc
cretly. entertained, and is now aroused and acted
on by US. The forces hitherto raised, provided
amply for the defense of the seven States which
originally organized in the Confederacy such is
evidently the fact for, with the exception of three
fortified islands, whose defence is efficiently aided
by preponoerating naval force. the enemy has
been arven completely out of these States and row
at the expiration Of five months from the formation
of the government, not single hostile foot presses
their soil These forces however, must necessarily
prove inadequate to repel an invasion by the halt
million (5OO.OOO) Of men now imposed by the enc
my. A corresponding increase Of forces will be-
come necessary Recommendations Z the raising
of efficient equipment for this additional force will
be contained in the communication of the secretary
of war, which need scarcely invite your earnest
attention to.
In my message, delivered in April last, referred
to the promise Of abundant crops. with which we
Wefe Cheerful 1ne grain crops nave pdrtiy/Deen
harvested. The yield has proven to be the most
abundant ever known in our history many believe
the supply adequate to two years consumption of
our population. Cotton, sugar and tobacco, for n
ing a surplus of productions of agriculture, and
furnishing basis for our commercial interchange.
presents tie most cheering promises ever known.
Providence has smiled on the labor, which ex
tracts the teemng wealth of soil in all parts of
our Confeceracy. 1t is more gratifying to be able
to give you this because of the need of large and
inf of
Elevated and purified by the sacred cause, thus
maintain our fellow-ctizens of every condition of
life exhibited the most self f-sacrifcing devotion
They manifest laudable pride in upholding their
than their own The immense wealth which
the fertilzed and genial climate and soil have nc
c.:mulated in this Confederacy, could not be more
strongly displayed than in the large reverence with
eagerness agricuituraists have contributed to the
call of their country in the single article of cotton
The subscription loan proposed by the government
cannot fall short of $50 OO0, ,O0O and will probably
exceed that sum- Scarcely an article req quired for
the consumption Of the army is provided otherwise
than by subscription to produce the loan 80 happi-
ly desired by your wisdom.
The secretary of the treasury has a report to be
submitted to you, which will give YOU the ampest
details connected wi-h that branch of public SER
vice. But it is not alone by their prompt pecunia-
ry contributions, that the noble race of freemen
who inhabit these States, evidence how worthy
they are of the liberties which they SO we'll know
now W ucrona- i.a s.~--a~.. g.. .-~..ai~< .i,asa
authorized by your laws, they have pressed the
tender of their services against the enemy Their
attitude OF calm, sublime devotion to their country
and the COOL confident courage with which they are
already preparing to meet the invasion, Whatever
proportions 1T may assume gives the assurance that
their sacrifices and services will be renewed from
year to year. with unfailiug purpose. until they
have made good to the uttenost their rights to self
government L he almost unequivocal confidence
which they displayed in their government during
the pending struggle, all combined to present a
Spectacle such as the world has rarely if ever seen
TO speak Of snbjugating such a people SO united
aud determined. Is to speak in language incompre
hensible to them. To resist an attack on their
rights or their liberties is with them an instinct
Whether this war shall last or fifty years is
problem they leave to be solved by the enemy alone
1t viii last till the enemy shall have withdrawn
from their borders-tll their political rights their
affairs and homes are freed from invasion-then
and then only will they rest from this struggle to
enjoy that peace-the blessings Of which with the
favor of Providence, they have secured by the aid
Of their own strong hearts and steady arms.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
RICHMOND, july 20.