Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-03

panylug documents, conveys full information con-
eeTn,ng tlie iorces, regular, volunteer ard provis-
iona raised aAd called for under the several acts
of Congress, their organization and distribution.
Also, an account of the expenditures already made
and the further estimates for the fiscal wear ending
on the 18th of February, 1862 rendered necessary
by recent events, l refer to his report Also for
full history of the occurrences in Charleston harbor
| prior to- and including the bombsrdment and re-
duction of Fort Sumter, and of the measures sub
sequently taken for common defense, on receiving
intelligence of the declaration of war against us
made by the President of the United States There
are now in the field at Charleston. Pensacola Forts
Morgan, jackson, st Philipiand Pulaski, nineteen
| thousand men. and sixteen thousand are now en-
| route for Virginia. 1t is proposed to organize and
hold In readiness for instant action, in view of the
present exigencies of the country. an army Of one
hundred thousand men. If further force should
| be needed, the wisdom and patriotism Of Congress
| will be confidently appealed TO for authority
| to call into the field additional numbers of
our noble spirited volunteers. who are constantly
| rendering service far IN excess of our wants.
/ The operations of the Navy Department have been
necessarily restricted by the fact that sufficient time
has not yet elapsed for the purchase construction
Oh more than a limited number of vessels adapted
20 the public service. Two vessels purchased have
been named the Sumter" and Maeree," an ! are
| no" being prepared for at New Orleans with all
possible dispatch. Contracts have also been made
atthat city with two different establishments for the
casting OF ordnance. cannon shot and she'll with the
L
cies so indispensable for our defense at as many
| points within our territory as possible.
call your attention to the recommendation of the
secretary i9r the establishment of a M izne and
laboratory tor preparation of ordnance stores and
the necessary appropriation for that purpose Hih-
erto such stores have usually been prepared at the
navy yards, and no appropriation was made at veur
last session for this object.
The Secretary also calls attention to the fact that
no provision has been made for the payment Of in
valid pensions to our citizens Many of these
persons are advanced in life, they have no means of
support and by the secession of these States have
been deprived of their claim against the Govern
ment of the United States. | recommend the appro-
priaton of the necessary to pay these pension
eTs, as well as those of the army whose claims can
scarcely exceed twenty thou sand dollars per annum
| The POstm lister General has already succee led in
org tniZng his department to such to be
i, readiness to the direction of our postal
at tirs, the occurrence Of the contingency con-
t4mplated by the Act of 18Th March, 1861, or even
,oner if desired by Congress The various books
and circulars have been prepared and measures
| ken to secure supplies of blanks. postage stlmps
st mp,d envelopes mail bags. locks, keys etc. He
seats a detailed cassifcatI an my, ment of
mis- clerical force, ami asks for les increase. An
auditor of the treasury for this department is ne
ce- say. and plan is submitted for the organize
| ton o. his bureau The great number and magnI>
de of the accounts of this department rec uire an
| Increase of the clerical force in the accounting
b anch in the Treasury. The revenues of this de-
partment are collected and disbursed in modes
peculiar to itself and require a special bureau to
secure proper accountability in the administration
of its fnanceS.
/ call your attention to the additional legislation
| required for this Department. to the recommended
ton for changes in the law fixing the rates of post
age on ne wspapers and sealed packages of certain
kinds. and specially to the Recommendation of the
Secretary. IN which | concur. that you provide at
once Tor the assumption by him OF the control of our
entire postal service.
In the military organization of the States pro
vision is made for bFigader and ma generals but
IN the army Of the Confederate States the highest
grade is that of briga ergeneral. Hence it will no
doubt sometimes occur that where troops of the
COnfederacy do duty with the militia, the general
selected for the command and possessed of the
views and purposes of ttis government, will be SUI
persede1 by officer Of the militia not having the
same advantage. To avoid this contingency in the
least Objectionable manner. recommend that adds
toua rank be given to the general of the CCnfeder-
| ate army, and concurring in the policy of having
but one grade of generals in the army of the Con-
federacy. recommend that the law of its organi-
cation be amended so that the grade be that of gene
| Pal
To secure thorough military education, it is
deemed essential that officers should enter upon the
study of their profession at early period of life
| and have elementary instruction in a military
school Until such school shall be established. it is
recommended that cadets be appointed and attached
to companies until they shall have attained the age
I
| the duties of lieutenautS.
also call your attention to an omission in the law
| organizing the army, in relatiOnto military chap
| lains. and rec Gmmend that provision be made for
their appointment.
In conclusion, / congratulate you the fact, that
in every portion of our country, there has been ex
| hibited the most patriotic devotion to common
cause. Transportation companies have freely ten
dered the of their lines troops and supplies.
The Presidents Of the railroads of the ConfedeFacy
| in cOmpsn, with others who control lines of COM
municatiOn with Suites that we hope soon to greet
sisters, assembled in Convention in this city and
not only reduced largely the rates heretofore de-
manded for mail service, and conveyance Of troops
and munitions. but Voluntarily profered to receive
their compensation at these reduced rates in the
bonds of the Confe era y, for the purpose of eav
ing all the resources of the government at its dis
| p Osal for the common defense.
| RequIsitons for troops have been met with such
alacrity that the members rendering their services
have. in every instance, greatly exceeded the de-
maDd. Men of the highest official and social posi-
| tIOn are serving volunteers in the ranks. The
| gravity of age and the zeal of youth rival each
other in the desire to be foremost for the public de-
| Tense; and though at other point than the one
heretofore noticed, have they been stimuli tied by
the exctment, incident to actual engagement. and
the hope of distinction for individual achievement.
they have borne what for troops. il the most
| severe ordeal-patent toll and constant vigil all
the exposure and discomfort of active service. with
| resolution and fortituie such to command ap-
pTODallOn ana justify ms nlgnest expectation OF
thei conduct when active valUr shall be required in
| place of steady endurance.
A people thus united and resolved cannot shrink
| from any sacrifice which they may be called on to
make. nor can there be reasonable doubt of their
| final success however long aud severe may be the
test of their determination to maintain their birth
right of freedom and equality, trust which it is
thei first duty to transmit undiminshed TO their
pOsterity.
A bounteOus Providence cheers US with the pro-
mise of abundant crops The fields of grain which
will, within few weeks, be ready for the sickle
give assurance Of the amplest supply of food for
man. whilst the corn, cotton and other staple pro-
dRctons of soil, afford abundant proof that up
to this period the season has been prnpitiOus.
We feel that'our cause is just and holy we pro-
test suemny in the face of mankind that we desire
peace at any sacrifice. that of honor and indie
pendence; seek no conquest. no aggFsndisement.
no concession of any kind from the States with
which were lately confederated; all we AJAX is
to be let alone; that those who never held power
over US. shall not now attempt suhjugatiOn by
arms. This We will this must resist to the drest
extremity. The moment that this pretensiOn is
abandoned, the sword will drop from our grasp. and
we shall be ready to enter into treaties of amity
and commerce that cannot but be mutually benefi-
cial. So long as this pretenson is maintained with
a firm reliance on that Divine Power which covers
with its protection the Just cause viii continue
to struggle FIR inner right to freedom indie
pendence and selfgovernment.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
MONTGOMERY, April %, 1861.
Treas0n-.A Flor da Law.
The following law passed by the Legislature
of Florida and approved by the Governor of that
State en- the I4th Of February last:
An providing FOR punishment Of such persons as prsend
to bold OF this state not recognised ~ sOf
and for other oSences.