Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-11-23
MESSAGE OF JEFF. DAVIS.

his city, we find the message OF Jen Davis 10
he provisional Congress" at its adjourned ses-
ion, sent In on the 10Th inst. /
II is as follows:
PRKsIpBSr's MESSAGE. i
To ths Congress of the Confederate States:
The few weeks which have elapsed since your
adjournment have brought US so near the close OF
The year, that we are Eow able 10 sam up iu
general results The retrospect Is such as should
Gil the hearts OF our people with gratitude to
Providence for His kind interposition In their
behalf Abundant yields have rewarded the
labor Of the agriculturst, whilst the manufactur-
ing industry Of the Confederate states was never
so prosperous as now. The necessities OF the
times l. ave called into existence new branches of
and given fresh impulse to the
activity Of those heretofore In operation. The
means of the Confederate States for manufactur-
ing the necessaries and comforts OF life within
themselves increase a. the conflict continues and
we are gradually becoming independent OF the
rest Of the world for the supply Of such millt ny
sores and munitions as are indispensable for
war.
The operations Il the army, soon to be partial
ly interrupted by the approaching winter, have
afforded protection to the country, and shed
lu.tre upon It's arms through the trying viciss-
tudes of more than one erduous campaign, which
entitle our brave volunteers to praise and our
gratitude.
From its commencement up to the present pc
Rod the war has been enlarging. Its proportions
and expanding its boundaries, SO as TO include
new fields. The conflict now extends from the
shores of the Chesapeake to the confines of Mis-
souri, and Arizona yet sudden calls from the re-
motest points for military aid have been met
with promptness enough not only TO avert dsas-
ter In the face OF superior numbers, but also to
roll back the tide of Invasion from the border.
When the war commenced the enemy were
possessed Of certain strategic points and strong
places within the Confederate States They great
ly exceeded US in numbers, In available resources,
and In tue supplies necessary for war. Military
establishments had been long organized, and
were complete; the navy, and, for the most part,
the airy, once common to both, were In their pos
session. To meet all this, we had to create not
only an army Ia the face Of war itself, but also
military establishments necessary to equip and
place 1t In the field. IL ought, indeed, to be a
subject of graduation that the spirit Of the vol
unteer, and the patriotism Of the people, have
enagled US, under Providence, to graphic success
fully with these difficulties.
a succession OF glorious victories, at Bethel
Bull Run, Manassas, Springfield, Lexington +,
Leesburg, and Belmont has checked the wicked
ivasiGn which greed Of gain and the un hallowed
lust If power brought upon our soil, and has
provo that numbers cease to avail when directed
agarnst a people fighting for the sacred right of
self-government and the privileges Of freeman.
After seven months Of war, the enemy have not
only failed to extend their occupancy Of our soil,
put new states and Territories have been added
our Confederacy, white, instead Of their threat
ened march Of unchecked conquest they have
been driven, at more than one point, to assume
| the defensive and, upon fair com pariscn be-
means, and financial condition, the Confederate
: ates are relatively much stronger now than
when the struggle commenced.
since your adjournment, the people Of NJ issouri
have conducted the war in the face Of almost un-
paraleled difficulties, with a spirit and success
alike worthy of themselves and Of the grert cause
In which they are struggling Since that time
Kentucky, too, has become the theatre OF active
hostiities. The Federal forces have not only re.
fused to acknowledge her rig ht 10 be neutral and
have insisted upon making her a party to the war
but have invaded her for the purpose Of attac nc
the Confederate States Outrages of the mos
despotic character have been perpetrated upor
her people; some of her most eminent citizens
have been seized and borne away to lanpuisb IN
foreign prisons without knowing who were thei
| accusers, or the specific charges made apaips
| them, while others have been forced to abandon
their homes, their families and property and seel
a refuge In distant lands.
| Finding that the Cenfederates States wer,
about to be invaded through Kentucky and tina
her people, after being deceived into a mistaken
/ security, were unarmed, and In danger Of bein.
| subjugated by the federal forces, our armies wpr
marched into that State 10 rePel the enemy ant
| prevent their occupation Of certain STRAIGHT,
| points which would have given them great ad
| vantages in the contest-a step which was iusti
lied not only By the necessities Of lfdefence O,
the part of the Confederate States, but also by
| desire to aid the people Of Kentucky. IL wa
| never Intended by the Confederate Gorernmeu
TO conquer or coerce the people Of that State; bu
! on the contrary, II was declared by our General
| Federal Government would do likewise Pro
clamation was alsO made OF the desire to respec
| the neutrality Of Kentucky, and the intention I
abide by the wishes OF her people as soon as the
| were free to express their opinions
These declarations were approved by me- an,
should regard 1t as one of the best effects of tn
merch of our troops into Kentucky II 1t shoul,
end In giving to her people liberty of choice AMI
free opportunity to decide their own destin
according to their own will.
Tie army has been chiefly instrumental II
\ prosecuting the great contest in which we ar
engaged; but the navy has also been effective Il
| full proportion to its means. The naval ofioers
| deprived to great extent Of an opportunity {
| make their professional skill availa BILE at sea
have served with conmendabie zeal and gal
| lantry on shore and upon inland waters, furthe
| de- il of which will be found In the reports G
| the Navy and war.
La the transportation of the mails manv di "a GU
ties lave arisen which will be found fully d.
| veloped In the report OF the Postmaster General
| The absorption Of the ordinary means Of transpor
| tatIOn for the movement Of troops and militar
supplies, the insufaciency Of the rolling stock G
railroads ior the accumulation OF business result
ing both ( ON military operations and the obstrut
| ton Of woter communication by the presence ,
the enemys feet; the failure and even refus Al {
contractosio comply with the terms Of the
! agreements, the difficulties Inherent in inaugt
rating so vast and comp licated a system as th,
| which requires postal facilities for every tow
| add village in a tearito so extended rs our
have all combined TO impede the best drecte
Il H.. Il
| dustry, and ability have been taxed to the utmo
| extent. Some Of these difficulties can only I
overcome by time and an improved condition
| the country upon the iestoration Of peace, b,
. Others may be renedied by legislation, and you
| attention 10 invited in the recomme nd ions COZ
tanned in the report Of the head Of that Depar
menf.
The condition Of the Treasury will, doubles
| be subject Of anxious inquiry on your part
am happy to say that the financial system alrea6
| adopted has worked well so far, and proms
E | good results for the future. To the extent tn
Treasury notes may be issued the Government
| enabled 10 borrow money without interest, ar
| thus facilitate the conduct of the war This e.
tent is measured by the portion of the field of ci
, | culation which these notes can be made to occ
| py. The proportion of the field thus occupied d
, ponds again upon the amount of the debts (
, | which they are receivable; and dues, not only
| the Confederate and State Governments but al
. to corporations and individuals, are payable
this medium, large amount Of Of 1t may be ci
, | culated as par.
, There is every reason to believe that the Co
Z federate Treasury note 10 fast becoming such
| medium. The provision that these notes shs
| be convertible into Confederate stock, bearir
. eight per cent. interest, at the pleasure Of q
. | holder, ensures them against a depreciation b
|, low the value Of that stock, and no considerah