Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-11-24

lOTtaDIy, anu COuIQ nave IuIIhISbCo W ~ |
Confederate States all that was to be had
anyhow at reasonable rates. But it was inn
mediately violated The country was soon,
and is still, swarn.ing with agents OF the
Confederate Government, stripping bare our
markets and putting enormous prices upon
our agents. This is especially the case in re-
gard to shoes and leather. The consequence
has been our troops could get only half sup
plies from home, and nothing at all from the
Confederate Government, because Of our
agreement to furnish them ourselves. When
a large portion of our army this fall by the
accidents Of battle and other causes lost
their baggage, it was feund impossible at
once to replace it. Sorsly pressed as to the
best course to be pursued, | published an
appeal to our people in behalf Of their broth-
ers in the field, and employed the militia Of
hcers for the collection of articles donsted or
sold and though the response has been at
once gratifying and patriotic yet it is necss-
sal lily slow and uncertain; and regret to
say that the heroes Of Boonsboro, Sharps-
burg and other glorious fields, have suffered
and are still suffering greatly for the want OF
shoes and clothing. Every possible exer-
ton has been made for their relief; but
while the agents of the Confederacy are al
lowed to compete with ours, and spectators
are allowed TO carry our leather beyond our
borders, it will be impossible to supply them.
| earnestly recommend an embargo upon
this article as before mentioned. lam g~ratlfied
that | am able to state that the prospect of
obtaining cotton cloths at reasonable rates,
is better than it has been. The stockholders
of the Rockfish manufacturing company,
~~oneSof the largest and most enterprlslng IN
the State, have agreed to sell all their produc-
tions at 70 per cent upon. cost, the rate allow
ed by tie exemption bill, which will reduce
the price about one half and some seven or
eight other companies have intimated an in
tention Of following their, praiseworthy ex-
ample. We may reasonably hope that.most Of
the other mills in the State can be induced
to do likewise. The woelen factories seem
more incorrigible. Some of them when asked
to furnish their goods at Is per cent declined
entirely, and others agree 10 do SO fixing
enormous profits on the cost of the raw
material and then adding the 70 per cent on
the finished article, making their profits
even greater than before. 1t is grealy to
be regretted that the most useful and to-
be- cherished institutions should put them
selves in a position which will cause them
to be execrsted by our people on the return
of peace. But as the free trade policy op-
pressed them in times of peace, so they seem
determined to have no mercy upon us during
the existence of the war. | recommend them
to your tender mercies, gentlemen, and would
respectfully suggest that you adopt such mea-
sues as may seem practicable FIR securing
supplies to our own cltiZs ns first and to re-
duce if possible the price Of cotton yarn,
which is so essential to supplying the hand
looms If our farmers wives. ..-
In relation to ordnance stores, | will men
ton th't nearly a Sea' ago, a CONTRACT was
made by my predecessor, under AT act of the
Legislature aPgr9Ppriaiing $40 600 Tor the
for the erection OF powder mills. The mo-
ney wss expended, the mills erected anc
soon afterwards blown up and destroyed
Gov. Clark aged to furnish them the means
to start again and under a new contract they
have erected other mills and are now nearly
ready to begin operations on a scale suth
Gent to make about 1000 pounds per week
This however, involved an expenditure o
money beyond that appropriated by the &C
r%eferied to $12, 900 having been advances
the contractors by Gov. Clark and $9, 1000 b.
myself.
OF these sums, the money advanced b,
Gov. Clark is to be refunded in four equa
annual in~stallments, and that by me by re
serving 10 per cent. ofthe payments (as the
become due) on powder to be furnished tn
State. The Confederate States will furnis
the mills With about 3,~000-pounds of Mir
per week.
T @ department has contracted with mar
ufacturers in the State for about 800 new r
fes per month, and arrangements have bee
made WheI eby, after the LIST of Januar,
about 800 old rifles and musketS out Of re
pair will lie rendered 6t for service. And
is hoped the department will soon be able
keep on and a supply for five thousand me-
A detailed report of the operations OF tt
Adjutart Generals department is herewi;
appended.
The finances of the State will doubtless e
gage your anxious consideration
The Board of Claims, in pursuance Of D
dinance No. %, Sec. 5, passed in Decembt
1851, have matte a report showing the de
of the State on the 30th Sept. 1862, to
$40, eS3, SOL Oh, subject to be diminished
the amount Of the sinking fund; at tn
time aDout $500, 600, and the debt due
State from the Confederate government, b
tween fv, and six millions. Still the Sta
debt is We y heavy, and the interest at lie;
ought to lie punctually paid. There 8
thEe distinct modes of supplying the rsq'
site sum enc by taxation, a second by
additional issue Of treasury notes, and a tn
by getting from the Confederate Gevernmt
the sum d@t the State. Indeed this su
when received, ought to be applied forthw
TO the eXtinguishment of the debt of
State, rs far ms it will go; for it ~constitu
a part of tie capital Of the State debt, s
ought to be applied, when returned, iowa
the extinction of that amount Of its CAPT
Upon correct principles therefore of fnan'
economy, the debt ought not to be allowec
grow any l%aryer, if practicable 70 prevent
And iftho payment of the entire amour