The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-05-14
THE SOUTHERN CONFBDERACY.JEFF
DAVIS, MESSAGE.

The telegraph dispatches some days ag
gave an abstract Of jeff Davis's message I
tho Rebel Congress now in session at Mont
gomery. The following additional paragraph
are Of interest. The first we quote exhibit
an unparalleled degree Of impudence in pre-
tending to be as onshed that piivateers I'm
authorized by any known government shou
he treated as pirates! He will soon be wiser
81 cannot close this review of the acts @
the government Of the United States, wtbou
referriogt TO a proclamation issued by thei
President under the date Of the 10th ut, il
which, after declaring that an insurrecton ha
broken out in this confederacy against tn,
government Of the United States, he an
nounces blockade Of all the ports of these
States, and threatens TO punish as pirates IL
persons who shall molest any vessels of tn,
United States under marque issued by thi,
government. Notwithstanding tho authen
ITCHY Of this proclamation, you will cor cu
with me that it is hard to believe that il coo
have emanated from President Of the Uni
ted State. Its announcement as a mere pa.
per blockade is so manfestly a violation o
the law Of nations, that it would seem incred.
ible that it could have been issued by author
ity--but cenceding this to be the case, so far
as the executive is concerned, it will be diff.
cult to satisfy the people Of these States that
their late confederation will sanction its dec
laration, will determine to ignore the usages
OF civilized nations. aud it will inaugurate a
war Of determination on both sides, by treat
ing as pirates open enemies, acting under the
authority Of commissions issued by an organi.
zed government. II such PROCLAMATION was
issued, it could only have been published un.
der the sudden influence of passion, and we
may rest assured mankind will be spared tho
harror of the conflict it seems to invite.
The State Department has furnished the
necessary instructions for three Commission.
ers, who haze been sent TO England. France.
Nussla, and Belgium, since your adjourn
ment, to ask our recognition rs a member of
the family Of n tions, and to make with each
OF those powers treatise Of amity and COM
merce. Further stops will be taken to enter
into like negotiations with the other Euro
pean powers in pursuance Of your resolutions
passe at the last session. Sufficient time
has not get elapsed since the departure of
these Commissioners for the receipt of any
Intelligence fir m them. As deem it desi.
rabls that Commissioners or other diplomatic
agents should also be sent at an early period
to the independent American powers south
OF our CURfederacy, with all Of whom it is
our interest and earnest wish to maintain the
most cordial aud friendly relations, | suggest
the expedieney Of making the necessary ap-
preparations for that purpose.
Having been officially notified by the
public authorities Ct tho State Of Virginia that
she had withdrawn from the Union and de.
sired to maintain the closest political relations
with Us 1t was possible at this time TO estsb
lisb, | commissioned the Hon. Alexander II.
Step ems, Weep resident of the Confede rate
States, to represent this Government at Rich
mond. am happy to inform you that he
has concluded a convention Of the State OF
Virginia, by which that commonwealth, so
long and justly distinguished among her sis
ter States. and 80 dear 10 the hearts Of thou.
sands Of her children in the Confederate
States, has united her power and her fortune
with ours, aud become one ofus. 1 have sat
i,faetory assurances from Others of our late
that they are on the point of
adopting similar measures, and | cannot
doubt that ere you 81 all have been many
weeks in session the whole of the slavehold-
ing States Of the late Union will respond to
the call of honor and affection, and by uni
ting their fortunes with ours, promote our
interests and secure our common
safety.
"Under your act authorizing a loan, pro.
posals were issued inviting subscriptions for
i've millions o. dollars, and the call was an
swered by the pro"pt subscription Of more
than eight millions by our own citizens, and
not single bid was made under par. The
rapid development OF the purpose Of the Pres.
ldent of the United States to invade our soil
capture our forts, blockade our ports, and
wage war against us, induced me TO direct
the entire subscription should be accepted. -
1t will now be necessary to raise means TO a
much larger amount to defray the expenses of
our independence and repelling
invasion.
"Since your adjournment all the courts,
with the exception OF those Of Mississippi aud
Texas, have been organized by the appoint
nent of marsbals and district attorneys, and |
are now prepared for the exercise Of their
functions.
''In the two States inst named the gentle.
men confirmed as Judges declined to accept
he appointment, and no nominations have yet |
been made to fill the vacancies.
The patent Office business is much more
extensive and important than has been anti
,ipated. The applications for patents, al
bough confined under the law exclusively to
he citizens oil our Couiedcracy, already aver
lge seventy per month, show the necessity
or the prompt organization Of bureau Of pa.
ents."
"There are DOW 10 the field at Ch arleston,
PENSACOLA, Forts Morgan, Jackson st. Philip
md Pulaski, 10000 men and 5000 are now
n route for Virginia. 1t is proposed to or
,anize and hold 10 readiness for instant action
u view Of the exigencies of the country, an
'rmy Of 100000 men.
"The operations Of the Navy Department
lave been necessarily restricted by the fact
hat sufficient time has not yet elapsed for
he purchase or construction Of more than
United number Of vessels adap ed to the pub
ic service. Two vessels purchased have been
FAMED the Sumter and Macree, and are now
,cing prepared for sea, at New Orlesn', with
III possible dispatch, Contracts have also
'een made at that city, with two different es-
for the casting Of ordnance,
annon, shot and shell, with the view to on.
ourage the manufacture Of these articles, 80
nd fos lofo l.