Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-23
IMPORTANT CIRCULAR FROM JEFF
DAVIS.

I AANA Ch AAN NfliN0Ohhh NUM- JET o
DAVIS.
The special correspondent Of the Chicago
Tribune sends from Cairo to that paper the
following important document, saying that it
explains itself 1fitis genuine circular from
jeff. Davis, as it purports to be, and which we
have no reason to discredit, ii sheds a good
deal Of light on the real situation of the rebel
government. 1t has for long time been man
iiest that the greatest distress existed through
out the South, and "that the prospects Of sue
cess for the Southern Confederacy are gloomy
and foreboding on every hand :" and now we
have the official announcement that il is so
considered by the leading conspiritors and by
none more forcibly than by jeff Davis him
self 1t is remarkable circular, as well for
its confession Of the weakness Of the confed-
eracy, as for the arguments with which it ap-
peals to the patriotism Of the people Of the
South. We note single point. JEFF. says
to his deluded people twill you submit quietly
to invasion and the desolation Of your homes
the destruction and oonfscation of your
property and the abandonment Of your cher
ished institutions :" and then little further
along urges them to the same work he so
much fears from their conquerers, and says,
"let us leave our conquerers surrounding
waste to reward them for their toll and pains
Burn every hamlet, village and city. Give
the torch freely to your cotton and houses.
Let the product of your lives be laid waste" 4"
Visit upon yourselves the destruction and
devastation which in no instance it has been
proved that your conquerofs will inAict upon
you. A wonderful appeal truly; and ore
that carries its own comments with it. 1t is
as follows:
CArrrA1, c. s. A, April ls 1862
(Prirate and Confidential
DEAe SIR: 1t can no longer be denied that the pros
poets Of the southern Conicderacy gloomy and fore
bodng hand Whether through lack uf skill or
the open ueachcy Of the officers Of army IL matters
We have met with disasters and defeats. With
continuance OF such resdlts ere three months shall have
passed away hoasod Coufoderacy will exist only ip
history The past shows that need large displays Of
patriotism, military skill. personal bravery. aud firm
spirit Of devotion to the great in which have
Unless these requisites deveope themselves soon to
fitting extent we fight in vain. Unless have more
clear indications that the great heart Of the people
~h US our efforts will be futile. The government is
and that Jet stare us in the face every hand, unless
the people rally 20 its assistance.
Mcclellan is already moving on the Potomac. Hal
lecks operations in the Southwest are every step.
successful against The federal army and navy are
already menac,ng the metropolis Of the Southwest aud
the key gfanaries. Florida is Oyer-run by North
invaders, while wherever look, VIC gaze on an
advancing army In this trying emergency the govern
ment appeals to the people to the brave hearts end stur
dy wills Of the South IL cries awake Your hands
have been put the plow and will you look back
and repent your past acts You have struck out uoby
for indel endnce pledgng your lives and fortunes 70
ITS procurement will you submit quietly 70 invasion and
the desolauon Of your homes-the destruction and
hscaon OF your property and the abandonment Of your
cherished Institutions Arise and convince the world
that the boastcd chvary Of the South is more than
myth
This appeal is made to the country not openly for ob
through the Governments Of the several States comprs
ing the Confederacy and the officers in command Of
armies To those mediums the circular is sent with the
urgent request that its spirit not its letter be convoy
ed to every citizens Of your struggling Republic First
nf all ask for material aid in money such epuiya-
Tents as wi enable US TO maintain our army Clothing
aud provisions will be acceptable substitutes for
honey whore the latter cannot be obtained.
Second, We need men. The ranks OF the army in the
field are constantly being thinned by the casualties Of
battle the sickness incident to campaign life and the
expiration Of enlisments We cannot close our ewes To
fact that places are filed promptly as they
should be Let the devotion of the country to
our cause by their Willingness fight its battles, and If
need be, to pour out their blood in its support
Third, We need the encouraging Of the people by a
more liberal display Of patriotism than has yet been
mlue ne tame SUBMISSION yielded 10 the invader
"henNer he appears IN striking contrast to the boast
have hitherto heard Of the readiness that prevailed
every hand To welcome the hirelngs with b0nfres
posed of dwellings and property OF the people II
land is to be overrun and the people suhugated let
leave our conquerOrs a surrounding waste TO reward
them for their toll and pains. Burn every hamlet, vii
age ndoity Give the torch freely your and
houses. Let the product Of your lives be laid waste
Fly yourselves before the invaders where resistance shall
no longer avail and thus display determination and
spirit IN the which are all enlisted which will
give encouragement To continue the struggle. When
ever the enemy wins victory let it be bootoss victory
their bands led by the hope Of plunder be dscour
aged and cheered at the manifestations Of devotion
and patriotism
Once more exhort you to awske and shake of the
eihargy that hangs Strike for the freedom Of
yourselves, your families aud your homes Strike
promptly and boldly and Confcdoracy may yet be f.
nally established. This is last aud only
Those who received this circular will be also summoned
agents Of the advance the purposes ad-
vocate, Full letters of Instructions will be furnished
them. JEFF. DAVIS, President G. s. A