The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1861-11-30
SeH. Davis Message to the Rebel
Congress.

oeH. DAVIS Message to the Rebel
| Congress.
lhe Richmond papers, received ria Nor'
folk, contain jeff Davis message delivered
at therecent opening of the rebel Congress.
| The following synopsis is sent by telegraph.
After the usual congratulations. he says
The operations of the ar iiv. soon To be
| partially interrupted by the approaching
! Winter, have afforded p protection TO the
| country and shed glorious lustre upon
It's arms, through the trying vicissitudes OF
more than one arduous campaign, which
entitIe our brave volunteers to praise and
gratitude"
Further on he says CATER more than
seven months OF war the enemy have not
only failed TO extend their occupancy Of
our SOIL but new States and Territories
have been added to our Confedcracy,
while, instead Of their threatened march
OF unchecked conquest, they have been
driven at more than one point to assume
the defensive, and upon a fair comparison
between the two belligerants as to men,
military means, and financial condition,
the Confederate States are relatively much
stronger now than when the struggle COM
menced.'
lie speaks in high terms of the people
Of the State Of Missouri, vino, he says
e conducted the war, in the face Of almost
unparalleled difficulties, with a spirit anu
success alike worthy Of themselves and Of
the great cause in Which they are strug-
g.irg
lie continues: " Finding that the Con-
icderate States were about to be invaded
through Kentucky, and that her people
after having been deceived into a mistaken
security, were una,mcd and in danger Of
being su ugated by the Federal forces,
our armies were marched into thai State
10 repel the enemy and prevent Their uc-
cupation OF certain strasetIc points which
would have gwen them great advantage
IN the COntcst-a step which was not only
Justified by the necessity OF self defence on
the part OF the confederate Safes, but also
by desire 10 aid the people OF KENTUCKY.
1t was never intended by the Conied-
crate Government to conquer or coerce
the people of that State, bat, on the con.
trary. it was declared bv our Generals that
they would withdraw Their troops il the
Fedora! Government would do likewise
proclamation Wgs also made Of our de.
sire 10 respect the neutrality Of Kentucky
and the intention 20 abide by the wishes
OF her people, as soon as they we're free 10
express then opinions. These declarations
were approved 10y me, and ! should regard
i, as one Of the best objects Of the march
Of our troops into Kentucky, il it should
AID in giving tc her people liberty Of
choice and free opportunity TO decide their
own policy according 10 their owA Will.
" While" he says, the army has been
chiefly instrumental in prosecuting the
great contest, the navy has also been cf-
tectiye in full proportion 70 its means"
He speaks Of the difficulties attending
mail transportation, some of which, he
declares, can lie overcome only by tine
and the improved condition ofthe country,
o. the restoration OF peace, but Others 10y
legislation.
:. y to the financial system, i; has work
cd well so far, and promises good results
for the future 70 the extent that Treasury
enabled . borrow money without interest
and thus facilitate the conduct Cf the war
This ex.ers i measured 10y the portion Of
the field Of circulation which those notes
can tie made 10 occupy.
" The proportion Of the field thus occu-
pied, dep nds again upon the amount Of
the debts for which they are receivable
and when due; not only the debts of the
Confederate and State Governments are
PAYABLE IN this medium, bat a large por-
ton of It may be circulated at par
There i every reason 10 believe that
the Confederate Treasury note is fast be
coming such medium. The proposition
that these notes shalt be convertible into
Confederate stock, bearing ; per cent.
interest. at the pleasure Of the holders.
lnsures them asainst depreciation below
the value Of that stock, and no consider.
able iaIi III their value need be feared 50
long as the interest shall be punctua!ly
paid
lhs punctual payment Of this interest
has been secured by the act passed by you
atthe last session, imposing such rate OF
taxation as must provide sufficient means
for that purpose.
For the successful prosecution Of this
war, it is indispensable that the means OF
. Transporting troops and military supplies
be furnished Is far rs possible in such
manner As not to Interrupt the CONNER
cial Intercourse between our people, nor
place check upon their productive
annrria-