The Van Buren press., 1861-05-29

AVE- 1O
some point previous to entering the field. the
most disastrous consequences must be en-
tailed upon our troops if an engagement
ensues. The Arsenal grounds afford am
pie room for field exercisss-the barracks
comfortable. roomy. with equipments and
subsistence At the place to supply them.
The militia forces in many counties being
very we'll drilled and commanded in 9th
ers, very poorly-to be held in reserve for
emergencies. Our people arc fnll of pa
triotism and chivalry. and If the needful
care be taken to prepare them for the con.
ficf. will give, vouchsafe. good account
Of themselves. Thousands Of gallant spir-
its among us arc clsmorous for service that
thus far have not accepted.
In anticipation Of the fact. however. that
Arkansas must ~ the best and only hope Of
permanent protection, unite her fortunes
withsother seeded 6tstss srs long. And
thus Be relieved. in . great measure Of the
expense incident to . war With the federal
powers. Hook confidently to the resources
of the State in men and money. as sufficient
to defend her soil from successful invasion.
Blessed by Providence with . genial soil
and climate. and the promise of An sbund.
ant harvest. she can and will succeed in her
struggle for Independence.
:. And though few are their lights in the gloom Of
Yet the hearts that are striking below.
Have God for their bulwsrk and truth for their
And they stop not to number the soe"
submit. also. for your information.
reports prepared by the Commissary Gen.
n. L. Bell. marked "B and c." showing
in detail. the amount of public property
belonginging to the State. pertaining u
the war department, designating that It
Fort Smith, the Arsenal and Hopefeld.
which has been captured from tho United
States. giving an approximate estimate Of
its value.
AS legitimate and proper under existing
circumstances, I recommend that An agent
be dispatched to each and every United
States land Office, with instructions 10 seixs
all moneys that may be on hand and that
the same be appropriated to public USE
And further. that the swamp land. internal
improvement, seminary and all other spe-
cific funds be retained in the treasury for
defensive purposes.
That the collection Of debts by execution
foreign and domestic. be suspended until
peace shall have been restored or until such
time in future as tho ability Of tho people
will warrant their collection.
present herewith, also, statements d. Z.
+. prepared by the auditor. The first
shows the amount disbursed, and for what
purpose out of the contingent fluid. "E"
shows the balance unexpended of appropri-
alton made for arming the State. IF !"
shows the amount of specie in the State
treasury on the 4th May. and the aggregate
OF internal improvement, saline ard swamp
land tnad now on hand, exclusive Of @122.
OU0 yet to be paid in by the sheriHs of tho
: State revenue. 1t is proper to remark that
there are subsisting contracts made by my
predecessor for levy and ditch work still
unfinished. situated mostly in the Jackson
port swamp land district which will, Of no
cessity. have to be provided tor in land or
money Of said district. there being NO cash
on hand pertaining thereto. at this time.
small amount ought to be retained Of this
fund for the payment of contingent sxpen.
ses accruing heretofore. and others unim-
; portant in amount that will obviously oc-
cur hereafter.
Our present and future relations with ths
two sections Of the original Union having
been determined upon, it will become at
) once important that we should pay due rs-
, gard to our red neighbors of the west. By
! securing their sympothy and co-operation,
we will acquire valuable allies and be abls
to reciprocate favors by affording them pro.
lection against the abolition crusade that il
5 held in store for them BY tho northern gov.
ernment.
The country occupied by the Indians im.
mediatcly west of Arkansas. is regarded
with intense solicituds by the government
, 1t Washington and tho Confederate States.
Fertile. salubrious, and most inviting in
character and topography-in its geograph-
lcal position. indispensably requisite to the
e southern government-it ought not and
Y cannot be abandoned to the North, if it il
7 in the power of the South to retain it,
And regard it now As being in the most
s precarious condition. demanding from Ar
kansas, as . matter of security to herself,
a immediate and prompt action.
: earnestly recommend, therefore, the ap.
s pointment Of commissioners, familiar with
y Indian character, and such as will command
: the respect and confidence of that people.
: delegated with authority to enter into pre-.
: liminAry arrangements. preparatory to do
finite treaty stipulstions hereafter to b rat
4 fed and solemnized with the Confedsrstl
: State. Iregsrd this - Of pressing import.
. SnCe Occ4uSe OF l90 uttof lncap8clty ON too
part of the Indians to resist alone the oc-
3 cupation of their country by federal troop,
t or federal agents.
AS the only means of attain ing definite
e information as to the feelings and purposes
o of these people touching the southern move.
o ment, sent in January last, Maj. J. ].
h Gaaines to confer in person with the chisi
: uen of the Cherokees, Greeks and Choc-
taws. The result of which was that tha
[ two latter nations were found to be the fast
!, and enduring friends of the South though
by no means, in the unsettled condition oi
their monetary affairs. and the lack o|
S means and preparation Of defence. counting
q difficulty with the federal government-yet
. declaring their sympathies and attachments
Q for the South and southern Institutions.
: with the announcement that when it bscama
5 necessary to make choice that they would
e share . common destiny with the people oi
n Arkansas. their natural friends and allies.
n The Cherokees, however, then. and still. dc
o occupy . moro dubious attitude; and ep,
e couragcment and assurances of the raosl
0 explicit character will be required 5y then
I-~~ Al l.