The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-03-05

deem it proper to advert 10 The fact tb at
the process of furloughs and re.en ls,ments.
in progress for the last month, had go far
disorganized and weakened our forces as 10
impair our ability for a successful defence !;
bn. heartily congratulate you that this evil,
which had foreseen, and was pew erless
TO prevent, may now be said 10 be substan-
tally at an end, and that we shall not again
curing the war, be exposed TO seeing our
strength diminished by this fruitful cause of
disaster-short enlisiments.
The people of the Confederate States, be-
ing principally engaged in agricultural pur-
suits, were unprovided at the commence
ment of hostilities with ships, ship yards,
materials for ship building, or skilled ma i
chanics and seamen in sufficient numbers
TO make the prompt creation of navy, a
practical task, evel. if the required appro-
prialions had been made for the purpose -
Notwithstanding our very limited resources.
however, the report of the Secretary will
exhibit TO you satisfactory proportion in
preparation, and certainly of near compile
lion, of vessels of a number and class on
which we may confidently rely for contest
ing the vaunted control o. the enemy over
our waters.
The financi al system devised by the wis
dom of your predecessors has proved ade-
quate TO supplying all the wants of the Gov
ernment, Notwithstanding the unexpected
and very large increase of expenditures re-
sultlng from the great augmentation in the
necessary means of defence. The report
of the Secretary of the Treasury will exhib-
il the gratifying fact that we lave no float
ing debt, that the credit of the Government
is unimpaired, and that the total expendi-
ture of the Government for the year has
been, in round numbers, $170, 900, 600
less than one third Of the sum wanted by the
enemy in his vain efforts TO conquer US
and less than the value OF single article of
export-the cotton crop OF the year.
The report Of the Postmaster General will
show the condition of that Department 10
be steadily improving, lis revenues Increas-
ing, and already affording assurance that ii
will be self sustaining at The date required
by the Constitution, while afording ample
mail facilities for the people.
In the Department o. Justice, which in-
cludes the Pa,ens Office and Public Print
ing, some legislative provisions will be re-
qured. which will be specifically stated in
the report OF the head of that Department.
invite the attention of Congress TO the
duty OF organising Supreme Court of the
Confederate States, in accordance with the
mandate of the Constitution.
refer you 10 my message communicated
to the Provisional Congress in November
last, for such further information as ii might
be useful TO lay before you, The short inter-
val which has since elapsed not having
produced any material change in that con>
dition, other than those 10 which reference
has already been made.
In conclusion, cordially welcome the
Representatives, who, being recently cho-
sen by the people, are fully imbued with
their views and feelings, and can so ably
advise me 10 the needfnl provisions ior the
public service.
assure you OF my hearty cooperation in
all your efforts for the common welfare oil
the country JEFFERSON DAVIS.