The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-05-08

cvsed nations ana VIII lnaugurate OF eXternina-
ton both sides by treating pirates open enemies
acting under the authority Of commissions issued By I'm
organised government.
If such proclamation was issued it could only have
been published under the sudden influence Of passion
and we may rest assured that mankind will be spared
the horrors Of the conflict it seems to invite
For the details of the administration of the different
departments refer to the reports of the secretaries
Of each, which accompany this message.
The State department has furnished the necessary
instructions for those commissioners who have been
sent to England, France, Russia and Belgium since
your adjournment, ask recognition as member
Of the family Of nations and make with each of these
powers treaties of amity and commerce.
Further steps will be taken to enter into like nego-
tiatons with the other European powers in pursuance
to resolutions passed at your last session.
Sufficient time has not yet elapsed since the departure
Of ghese commissioners for the receipt of any inteli
genee from them.
AS l deem it desirable that commissioners or other
diplomatic agents should also be at an early period
til te ndipendant American powers south of our Con
edcracy with all of whom it is our interest and earnest
wish maintain the most cordial and friendly relations
suggest the eXpediency Of making enecesary appro
/ priations for that purpose.
Having been officially notified by the public authori-
ties Of the State Of Virginia that she had withdrawn
4 from the Union, and desired to maintain the closest
political relations with which ii was possible at this
time to establish, ! commissioned the Hon. Alex. II.
Stephens yicepresident of the Confederate States to
represent this government at Richmond.
| am happy to inform you that he has concluded
convention with the State Of Virginia. by which that
houored commonwealth so long and Justly distinguished
among her sister States and so dear to the hearts of
thousands of her children in the Confederate States has
united her power and her fortunes with ours and become
one Of as. This convention together with the ordi-
Of Virginia adopted the provisional constitution
of the Confederacy, will be laid before you for your
\ constitutional action
Ihaye satisfactory assurances from other of our late
tHaf
measures and cannot doubt that ere you shall have
been many weeks in session. the whole of the slave
holding States Of the late Union wrespond to the call
Of honor and affection, and by uniting their fortunes
with ours, promote our interests and secure
| our common safety.
In the treasury department, regulations have been
devised and put into execution for carrying out the
policy indicated in your legislature the subject of the
navigation of the Mississippi river well for the
collection of the revenue the frontier
Free transit has been secured for vessels and merchal
disc passing through the Confederate States and delay
and inconvenience have been avoided far as possible
In organising the service for the various rail
ways entering territory as fast a. experience shall
indicate the possibility Of Improvement in these reea
tons, no effort will be spared to free commerce from
all necessary embarrassments and distractions
Under your act authorizing a loan, proposals were
issued inviting subscriptions for five millions of dollars
and the call was answered by the subscription of eight
million by our citizens, and not single bid was made
under par.
The rapid development of the purpose Of the president
of the United States to invade soil capture our forts
blockade our ports and wage against us induced
me to direct that the entire subscription should be
cepted. 1t will now become necessary to raise means
to much larger amount to defray the expenses Of main
tanning independence and repeIiug Invasion
invite your special attention to this subject and the
financial condition of the government with the sugres
ton Of ways and for the supply of the treasury
will be presented to you in separate communication
70 the department of justice YOU have confded not
only the organisation and supervision Of all matters
connected with patents and with the bureau of the pub
lie printing.
Since your adjournment all the courts with the excep
ton OF those Of Mississippi and Texas have been organ
isedby the appointment of marshas and district attor
neys, and are now prepared for the exercise of their
functions In the two States Just named the gentlemen
conlmedas judges declined to accept the appointments
and no nominations have yet beenmade to eli the vacan
cies.
refer you the report Of the attorney general and
concurn his Recommendations immediate legislation
especially on the subject of patent rights Early pro
visions should be made to secure to the subjects of
foreign nations the full enjoyment of their property in
valuable inventions, and to extend to our own citizens
protection not only for their inventions but such
may have been assigned to them or may hereafter be
assigned by persons not alien enemies
The patent office business is much more extensive and
important than has been anticipated The applications
for patents, although confined under the laws excIu-
svely to citizens of Confederacy already average
seveaty per month"; showing the necessity for the prompt
organisation Of bureau Of patents.
Tile secretary Of war; in his report and accompanying
documents, conveys full information concerning the
forces, regular, volunteer and provisional raised and
called for under the several Of congress-their
organisation and distribution; also account of the
expenditures already made, and the further estimates
for the fiscal year ending the 18th Of February 1862
rendered necess airy by recent events.
refer to the report also for a full history Of the
occurrences in Charleston harbor prior TO- and nelud
ing the bombardment and reduction Of fort Sumter,
and oil the measures subsequently taken for common
defence receiving the intelligence of the declaration
eff war against US made by the president Of the United
States
There are now in the field at Charleston Pensacola,
forts Morgan Jackson st. Philip and Pulaski 10 900
men, and 5000 route for Virginia 1t is proposed
to organise and hold in readiness for instant action in
view of the present eXgencies of the country army
of 100000 men, If further force be needed the wis
dom and patriotism of the congress will be confidently
appealed to for authority to call into the field addition
al numbers Of our nobespirited volunteers, who are
constantly rendering their services 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 more
than limited number Of vessels adapted the public
service Two vessels have been purchased and named,
the Sumter and McIea and now being prepared for
sea, at New Orleans, with all possible dispatch. Con
tracts have also been made at that city, with two differ
shot and shell-with the vew encourage the manu-
acture Of these articles, Indispensable for de-
fence, at many points within territory posi-
Die | call you attention to the recommendation of
the secretary for the establishment of magazine and
laboratory for the preparation Of ordnance and
he necessary appropriation required for that purpose
Hitherto such stores have been prepared at the navy
Yards and no appropriation made at your last
sion for this object
The secretary also calls the attention to the fact that
40 provision has been made for the payment of invalid
pensions to citizens Many of these persons are
advanced in ite-they have no means ofsupport-and
by the secession OF these States have been deprived Of
heir claim against the government Of the United States
| recommend the appropriation of the sum necessary
70 pay these pensioners well as those OF he army
whose claim scarcely exceed 81, 900 per annum.
The postmaster general has already succeeded in
5anising his department to such extent as be in
eadiness to assume the direction of postal affairs
the occurrence of the contingency contemplated by
he act Of the 18th March, 1861 sooner if de-
tired by congress.
The various books and circulars have been prepared
Ind measures taken supplies Of blanks post
ge stamps, stamped envelopes maibags locks keys,
,tc. /
He presents detailed classification and arrangement