Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-11-27

n EW s.
Jeff Davis's Message.
WASHINGTON, Nov. %.

the operations VI az
partially interrupted by the approaching
winter; they have afforded protection
TO the county, and shed a glorious lustFe
upon is arms through the trying ricIssi-
tndes of more than one arduous cam
roior. which entities our brave voun-
teers to our praise and gratitude Fur
Their on he saws, after more than seven
months of war the enemy have not only
failed 10 extend their occupancy OF our
soil bnt new states and territories have
been added to our confederacy; while IN
stead of their threatened march OF I'M
checked conquest. they have been driven
at moro than one point to assume Inc
defensive, and, upon a fair comparison
between the two boili9erents, rs to men,
military means, Of financial condition,
the Confederate States arc relatively
much stronger now thau when the strnS-
Gle commenced.
He speaks in high terms Of the roopIe
of tic State of Missouri who, he says,
conducted the war in the face Of almost
UNPARALLELED difficulties, with a spirit and
success alike worthy OF themselves and OF
the great cause in which they are strug-
ling.
He continues further, that the Confed-
crate States are about to be invaded
through Kentucky, and that her people,
after being driven into mistaken securI-
ty. were unarmed and in danger Of being
subjugated by the federal forces. Our
armies were marched INTO that State to
repel the enemy and prevent their occu-
patton of certain strategic points, which
would have given them great advantage
in the contest-a step which was not
only proved by the necessity of self de
Tense on the part Of the Confederate
States, but also by the desire to aid the
people of Kentucky. 1t was never in
tended by the confederate government to
conquer or coerce the people Of that
State, but, on the contrary, it was declar-
ed by our generals that they would
withdraw their troops if the federal gov
crnment would do likewise. A procla
nation was also made Of our desire to
respect the neutrality of Kentucky, and
the intention to abide by the wishes Of
her people as soon rs they were free to
express their opinions. These declara-
tons were approved by me, and should
regard it as one Of the best effects of the
march of orr troops into Kentucky, if it
should aid in giving to her people liberty
Of choice and free opportunity to decide
tller own policy according to their own
will.
While he says the army has been
chiefly instrumental III prosecuting the
great contest, the navy has also been cf
| fectiye in full proportion to its means.
He speaks Of the difficulties attending
mail transportation, some of which he
/ declares can be overcome only by time
and the improved condition Of the coun-
try, or th e restoration of peace, but 9th
crs by legislation.
AS to the financial system, he says it
has done very well so far, and promises
good results for the future, To tic ex-
tent that treasury notes may be issued,
! the government is enabled to borrow
money without interest, and thus tacili-
tate the conduct Of the war. This ex-
tent is measured by the portion of the
| field of circulation which the notes can
be made to occupy. Tho proportion of
! the field ihus occupied depends again
/ upon the amount of the debts for which
they are receivable, and when due, not
not only to the confederate and state
governments are payable in this medium,
II large proportion may be circulated at
PAR. There is every reason to believe
that the confederate treasury note is fast
/ becoming such medium. The propo-
sition that these notes shall be converted
into confederate stock, bearing eight per
cent interest. at til pleasure Of the hold
or, iusures them against depreciation be-
! low the value of that stock, and no con-
siderable fail in their value need be
feared 50 long rs tie interest shall be
/ runctnaIly paid. The punctual payment
Of this interest has been secured by the
act passed. hy YOU at the last session, i'm
/ posing such rate Of taxation IS must
pro, de sufficient means for that purpose.
Fer the successful prosecution of this
war, it is Indispensable that the means of
transporting troops AID military supplies
be furnished rs fast as possible, in such
manner rs not to Interrupt. the CONNER
cjal Intercourse between our people, nor
place check upon their productive en-
ergies.
In another part of his message he says,
we have already two main systems OF
through transportation from north to
south, one from Richmond along the
seaboard and the other through West
ern Virginia to New Orleans. A third
might be secured by completing link of
about forty miles between Danvilfe in
Virginia and Greenborough, n. G. The
construction of this comparatively short
line would give us through route from
north to south in the interior of the con-
federate states. and give us access to a
population and to military resources FROM
which we are now, in great measure,
declared. IT, he says further on, we
husband our means and make judicious
use Of our resources, it would be difficult
TO find limit to the period during which
we could conduct war against the adj
versarv whom we now encounter. The
very efforts which he makes to desolate
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