The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-03-07
Message Of JEFF, Davis.


SAssssica 's1 IN AsI &lgE 4
In obedience to the cons, Itutional pro.
vision requiring the President, from time
TO time, TO give 10 Congress information
Of the state 4of The ConfederAcy, and
recommend for their consideration such /
measures as he shall Judge necessary and
expedient, | have to communicate that,
since the message at the last session Of
the provisional Congress, events have
demonstrated That the government had
attempted more thauit had power TO
achieve. Hence, in the effort 70, project
by our arms the whole territory of the
Confederate States---seaboard and inland
we have been so exposed, as recently
10 encounter serious disasters. .,.,.,.,l |
When the Confrdei acy was formed. the
States comprising it we're in the peaceful
character OF their pursuits, and a mis-
placed confidence in their former associ-
ates, to great extent destitute OF The
means for :he prosecution Of the war on
so gigantic scale as that TO which !; has
attained The workshops and artists
were mainly 10 be found in the Northern
States, and ore Of the first duties which
devolved upon this Government was to
establish the necessary manufactures, and
in the meantime 10 obtain, by purchase
from abroad, as far as practicable, what
ever was required for the public defence.
No effort has been spared 10 Effect both
these ends, and though the results have
not equslled our hopes, il is believed tina:
an impartial judgment will, upon full in
vestigation, award 10 the various Depart
ments of the Government credit for hav.
ing done all which human power and
foresight enabled Them to accomplish.
The vaior and devotion OF the people
have not only sustained the efforts Of the
Government, but have gone far 10 supper:
its deficiencies.
The active state Of Military prepara.
tions among the nations Of Europe in
April last, The date when our agents frs,
went abroad, interposed unavoidable de-
lays in The procuremt nj Of arms, and the
want Of a navy has greatly impeded our
efforts to impor, military supplies Of all
sorts. p" "'a t''
Ihave hoped for several DAYS to receive
the official report in relation 10 our dis.
com6lure Al Roanoke Island and the fall
of Fort Donelson. They have no, yet
reached me, and | am therefore unable TO
communicate to you such information OF
past events & consequences resulting from
them as would enable me TO make recon-
mendations foundel upon the changed
condition which they have produced, a-,s
Enough is known OF the surrender OF
Roanoke Island 10 make us feel that j, was
deeply humiliating, however imperfect
may have been the preparation for de-
fence ~" o. " '''
The hope is still entertained that our
reported losses at Fort Donelson have
been greatly exaggerated. inasmuch as
am, not only unwilling but unable to be-
lieve that a large army Of our people have
surrendered without a desperate effort 10
cut their way through the invading forces,
whatever may have been their numbers,
and to endeavcr 10 make junction with
otner divisions Of the army. But, in the
absence OF that exact informa:ion which
can only be afforded by official reports, il
would be premature to pass judgment,
and my own, is reserved, as rusty yours
win be, until that Information is received.
In the meantime strenuous efforts have
; been made 10 throw forward reinforce
ments 10 the armies al positions, threat
eneG, and cannot doubt, the bitter dis,
appointments we have borne. by nerying
the people 10 still greater exer,ions, VIII
speedily secure results more ,accordsnt
with our Just expectations, and as favor
able 10 our cause as those which marked
the earlier period, Of the war. Ther
ports of the Secretary of War and Navy
will exhibit the mass Of resources for the
conduct OF the war, which we have been
enabled to accumulate, notwithstanding
the severe difficulties against which we
have contended. a .ii.~ 7.,sita ssfs.,,g. .
j y They afford cheering hope that our re-
sources, limited as they were at the be-
ginning of the contest, will, during its
! progress, become developed 10 such an
extent as fully TO meet our future wants,
The policy Of enlistment for short terms,
against which have steadily commended
from the commencement OF the war, has,
in my judgment contributed in no inn
material degree to the recent reverses we
have suffered, and even now renders i,
difficult, TO furnish you an accurate state.
ment Of the army. When the war 6rs.
broke out many Of our people could with
difficulty be persuaded thai it would be
long or serious. 1t was mol deemed pos
sible that anything SO insane as a persist
ent attempt 10 subjugato these States
! could be made, still less that the delusion
could SO far prevail as to give 10 the war
the vast proportions which ithas assumed,
The people. incredulous Of a long war.
were naturally ayeise 70 long enlistment.
and the early legislation of Congress rem
dered it impracticsble to obtain voluntet r
for ailonger period than twelve months. z
,. q. Nov that il has become probable tha, The
! war will DO continued through series oi
} years, our hlgb'spiriicd. and gallant soldiers
! while generally no cnlistipg, are, from ths
} fact Of having entered the service for shor!
time, compelled, in many instances. 10 &c
aud make the necessary arrangements iol
their families during their prolonged ab
sence. vadlRT EiwGyB sH'6E U@su
: ri The quotas of new regiments for the wal
called for from the different States, are IN
: rapid progress of organization The whols