Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-11-24
No. ID.

same proportion-leathcr, wooden cloth and
cotton goods have been made the especial
means of extortion. As If VIC were not saifi-
ciently afflicted with the base and avaricious
IN our own midst spectators from distant
States swarm in the land, offering fabulous
prices Tor everything they can buy. And in
many instances, taking advantage of the
patriotism of our people. they represent them
selVes-as agents of the Government, purchas-
ing for the army-thus obtaining what they .
could not otherwise do. The supply of salt
will, hope, be sufficient, but this subject
too needs legislative action. DIR. Worth, the
salt commissioner appointed by the Conven-
ton, has been ssldustriously at work bat he
has not produced great quantity, owing to
the difficulties which he has mentioned in his
reports. His first works, at Morehead City,
were taken by the enemy before he had fair
ly gotten them into operation next ef-
fort at Wilmington was successful in proda-
cfng about $50 bushelsper day, for some time
before they were interrupted by the yellow
fever, which has caused their temporary sus-
| pension. As the pestilence has abated, they
viii. of course be Immediately again put into
| operation. The whole amount made there
by the State and private individuals, probably
exceeds 2, 900 bushels per day. Nearly all
OF this made on private accounts is bought
| by citizens Of other States and carried off for
| speculation, at prices raging from $l2 to
| $50 per bushel
! My predecessor, Gov. Clark, also entered
/ into contract through n w. Woodfn and
] Geo. W Mordec:i, Esqrs, with Stewart, Bnch-
anan & Go. of Saltvile, Va, for the privilege
of manufacturing 900, 600 bushels of salt, and
Mr.. Woodfn was made Superintendent of the
Works. With commendable energy hc has
haI L., 4
are now, as reported to me by a special
agent sent TO visit the establishment, about
200 kettles in operation, making near 1900
bushels per day. Owing to his sickness the
Superintendent has made no official report
to me of his operations and expenditures.
] recommend that your Honorable body
shall take immediate steps to prevent the
expectation from the State of salt, leather,
shoes, woolen CLOTH cotton cloth, yarn, pork
and bacon, flour and potatoes-except for the
army and by regular agents of the govern
ment; and except when purchased by any
county and corporate authorities Of our sis
ter States, under such regulations as will
amout to satisfactory proof that such articles
are for private use, or charitable distribution
not fof speeufsEton--nfic;;ts However. f visissa
ton Of any existing contracts made by our
citizens with citizens Of other States. This
is all the remedy | can suggest for the evils
of extortion-history and common sense
having taught US the danger of trying to
force trade, which refuses to be governed by
any but natural laws All we can do is to
aid these we'll established laws, as the skill
full physician assists nature in the checking
of disease. Violent and forcible measures
have long since been condemned by civilized
statesmen, and could now only serve to dry
up the sources of our industry, and lessen
the productions of the country. The same
remarks apply to seizures of private proper.
ty for public use, which ought never to be
resorted to except in extreme eases. and then
only as temporary expedient
To provide against the possible suffering
of the wives and children of our brave and
selt-denying soldiers | also respectfully re.
commend the purchasing and storing, al
some safe point in the interior, of at least
two hundred thousand bushels of corn and
five hundred thousand pounds of pork, tc
be sold to them at rates sufficient to coye-
the cost, transportation, &c. 1t can now b,
bought in the Eastern counties at moderate
prices, and is in danger of destruction b,
the enemy, If not removed at an early day
t Anticipating the necessity of this measure
and also thinking it proper in a rniitar-
point of view to have some surplus on hand
have already ordered the building of larg
. cribs on the N. @. r. Road, and made o,he
preliminary arrangements for purchasing o
large scale
: deem this matter of the very highes
t importance. Nothing would so cheer an
: encourage our soldiers in the discharge {
d duty, as to know that their State was pro
viding for tlose at home dearcr to them tina
r lie; and nothing would so diSpirit and dc
!, moralIze them to know that those de;
e ones were suffering.
y Indeed, the soldier, shivering through II
If SHOWS of the coming winter and offering h
j. blood day by day for our defence, has rig
IL TO expect that his country will not permit b
wife and little ones to cry in vain for bread
e and while there is a morsel in the land
If should be divided with them. beg vo
= therefore, gentlemen, to make such proyi
n ions as you may deem best in reference
q the matter, and at as early day as possibl
= and let the gratifying assurance go forth
e, the camps of our armies that the wives a,
le children OF our soldiers shall not suffer
c Long as their State has money or food to gi
7, them.
4. beg leave to call your attention to {
ID great and amos. inSurmountable difficult
IN encountered by the Quartermaster's Depa,
Sc ment in providing clothing, shoes and bla
re kets for our troops. During the adninist
al tion of my predecessor, an arrangement v
re entered into (aecording to a resolution of |
Id General Assembly, with the Quartermaste
&c Department of the Confederate States.
ed which North Carolina was to receive I
H. Communication clothing money of her troc
u and clothe and shoe them herself And
our agreeing to sell the Confederate auth
VS. les all the surplus SunnliaS that could