Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-11-29

by the necessities of self-defence on the
part of the Confederate States, but also,
by desire to aid the people of Kontucky
It was never Intended by the Confeder-
ate government to conquer or coerca the
people of thaX State, but Oh the contrary,
it was declared E|I6r generals that they
would withdfsSf ss6tif troops If the Fed
eral government would do likewise Pro-
clamation was also made of the desire to
respect the neutrality ef Kentucky, and
the intention to abide by the wishes of
her people as soon as they were free to
express their opinions.
These declarations were approved by
me, and should regard it as one Of the
best effects Of the march of our troops
into Nentuolsv If II shopla end IN giying
to her people liberty Of choice and free
opportunity to decide their own destiny
according to their own will.
The army has been chiefly instrument
tai in prosecuting the great contest in
which we are engaged, but the navy has
also been effective in full proportion to
its means The naval officers, deprived
to great extent of an opportunity to
make their professional skill available at
sea, have served with commendable zeal
and gallantry on shore AMI upon inland
waters, further details Of which will be
found in the reports Of the navy and war.
In the transportation Of the mails many
difficulties have arisen which will be found
fully developed in the report of the Post
master General. The absorption of the
ordinary means Of transportation for the
movement Troops and military supplies,
the insuhiciency of the rolling stock of
railroads for tho accumulation Of business
resulting both from military operations
and the obstruction Of water communica-
ton by the presence of the enemys's feet;
the failure and even refusal Of contrac.
tors to comply with the terms of their
agreements, the difficulties inherent in
inaugurating SO vast and complicated a
system as that which requires postal IA
cilities for every town and village in a
territory so extended as ours, have all
combined to impede the best directed eff
forts Of the Postmaster General, whose
zeal, industry and ability have been taxed
to the utmost extent, Some Of these
difficulties can only be overcome by time
and an improved condition of tho coun-
try upon the restoration of peace, but
others may be remedied by legislation,
and your attention is invited in the re-
Communications contained in the report Of
| the head Of that department.
The condition Of the treasury viii,
doubtless, be subject af anxious inquiry
on your part. | am happy to say that
the financial system already adopted has
worked well SO far, and promises good
results for the future. To the extent
that treasury notes may be issued, the
government is enabled to borrow money
without interest, and thus facilitate the
conduct of the war. This extent is meas
ured by the portion of the field Of crcu-
lation which these notes can be made to
occupy. The proportion of the field thus
occupied depends again upon the amount
of the debts for which they are receiva-
bic; and when dues. not only to the Con-
federate and State governments, but also
TO corporations and individuals, are pny-
able in this medium, large amount of
it may be circulated at par.
There is every reason. to believe that
that the Confederate Treasury motto is fast
becoming such a medium. The provis-
ion that these notes shall be convertible
into Confederate stock, bearing eight per
cent. interest, at the pleasure of the hol .
der, ensures them against a depreciation
below tho value of that stock, and no
considerable fall in that value need be
feared so long as the interest shall be
punctually paid. The punctual payment
Of this interest has been secured by the
act passed by you at the last session, i'm
posing such rate Of taxation as must
provide sufficient means for thatpurpose
For the successful prosecution of this
war, it is indispensable that the means Of
transporting troops and military supplies
be furnished as far as possible, in such
manner as not to interrupt the CONNER
cial intercourse between our people, nor
place a check on their productive cner-
GIGS. TO this end the means Of trans
portation from one section Of our country
to the other, must be carefully guarded
and improved And this should be the
objectof anxious care on the part Of State
and Confederate government, so far as
they may have power over the subject
We have already two main systems Of
through transportation from the North TO
the South--one from Richmond, along
the seaboard the other through Western
Virginia to New Orleans. A third might
be secured by completing link Of about
forty miles between panville in Virginia,
and Greensborough, in North Carolina.
The construction Of this comparatively
short line would give us through route
from North TO South in the centre Of the
Confederate States, and give us access to
a population and to military resources
from which VIC are now, in great meas
ure, debarrcd We should increase great
~ the safety and capacity Of our means
for transporting men and military sup
plies.
II tho construction Of this road should,
in the judgment Of Congress, as il is ia
mine, be Indispensable for the mott sue.