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

10 The Senate and House Of Representatives q
the Confederate States
la obedience 10 the provision OF the Con
stitntion requiring the President from tim,
TO time 10 give TO Congress information ci
The state of the CoHfederacy, aud recon
mend 10 their consideration such measure
as he shall judge necessary and expedien
have 10 communicate that, since my mei-
sage at the last session of the Provisional
Congress, events have demonstrated th;tt
The Government had attempted more than il
had power successfully TO achieve.
Hence, in the effort TO protect BY our arms
the whole territory of the Confederate Stat,,s
seaboard and inland, we have been so eE
posed as recsAiy to encounter serious dis
ast5rs.
When the Confederacy was formed, tie
States comprising it we're, in the peculi ar
character of their pursuits and a misplac I'd
confidence in their former associates, 10 a
great extent destitute of the means for the
prosecution OF war on so gigantic scide
as that which it has attained The work
in the Northern States, and one of The rst
dnties which deyolyed upon this Cove n
ment was TO establish the necessary mai u
factories, and in the meantime 10 obtain, by
purchase from abroad, as far as practical le,
whatever was required :or the public ie-
fence.
No effort has been spared 10 effect both
OF these ends; and though the results h we
not equalled our hopes, il is believed that
an impartial judgement, will, upon full in
vesiigaiion, award to the various depart
ments OF the Government credit for ha, ing
done all which human power and fores ght
enabled them TO accomplish. The valor
and devotion of the people have not only
sustained the efforts of the Governments, but
have gone far to support its deficiencies-
The active state OF military preparat ons
among the nations of Europe in April .the
date when our agents first went abroid--
interposed unavoidable delays in the pro-
curement OF arms. and theswanl of a iavy
has greatly impeded our efforts to i'm por-
lani military supplies of alLsorts.
have hoped for several DAYS TO rec eceive
official reports in relation TO our disco nfit-
ure at Roanoke island and the fall OF Fort
Donelson. They have not yet reached me,
and am therefore, unable TO commun icaie
TO you such information oil past events and
sand the consequences resulting from inem,
as would enable me to make recommt nda
fi0nS AaH oho 80.
which they have produced. Enoulh is
known Of the surrender of Roanoke Island
10 make us feel that it was deeply HI mill
ating, however imperfect may have been
The preparations for defence.
The hope is still entertained that our re-
ported losses at Fort Donelson have been
much exaggerated, ,inasmuch as am nc only
unwilling, but unable to believe that large
army of our people have surrendered with
ont desperate attempt 10 cut thei way
through the investing, forces, Whatever NAV
have been their numbers, and 10 en,eavor
TO make junction with the other d, isions
of the army. But in the absence OF that
exact information which can be affon ed by
official reports, it would be prema ure 10
pass judgment, and my own is reser ed, as
trust yours will be, until that information
is received.
In the meantime, strenuous efforts have
been made 10 throw forward reinlorce menls
TO the armies at the positions threiiened,
and | cannot doubt that The bitter dsap.
pointments we have borne, by neryl lg the
people TO still greater exeriions, will speed
lily secure results more accordart with
our just expectations, and as favorable
10 our cause as those which mar;ed The
earlier periods OF the war.
The reports of the Secretaries 1f War
and the Navy will exhibit the mass of re-
sources for the conduct of the war which
we have been enabled 20 accumula not
withstanding the very serious difficulties
against which we have contended They
afforded cheering hopes that our res onrces,
limited as they were at the beginning OF the
contest, will, during its progress, ,bect me de.
veloped TO snch an extehi as fully 10 meet
our future wants.
The policy of enIisiments for skort terms
against which | have steadily coniended
from the commence ment of the war, has,
in my judgment, contributed in no imma-
terial degree 10 the recent reverses which
we have suffered, and even now r,nders it
difficu,, to furnish you an accurate state
ment of the army.
When the war first broke out, many of
our people could with difficulty be persua-
ded that il would be long or sci ious. 1t
was not deemed possible that ANYTHING so
insane as a persistant attempt 10 subjugaie
these States could be made-stil less, that
the delusion would so far prevail a 10 give
TO the war the vast proportions IL at it has
assumed.
The people, increduIous of ling war,
were naturally ayerse TO long en- istments,
and the early legislation of Cone ress rem
dered ii impracticable toobtain volt nieers Tor
a Oraator ror,od than fSu aIva nonttS Now