Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-03-07
JEFF. DAVIS MESSAGE.
The following message was sent TO the
Conoress NV loft Davis

VII IN - y ~ ~
The following message was sent to the
Confederate Congress by jeff Davis:
To- The Senate and House Of Representatives OF the
Confederate states Since the message at The last
sion OF the Provisional Congress, events have demon
sracd that the government had attempted than IL
had power successfully achieve Hence in the effort
10 protect by the whole territory Of the Con.
iedetaie States seaboard and inland, have been
exposed recently serious disasters when
the Confederacy was formed the State. comprising Il
we're IN the peculiar character Of their pursuits aud a
misplaced confidence in their former associates to great
extent destitute Of the for the prosecution Of the
war on so gigantic scale as that TO which Il has attain
The workshops and artists were mainly to he found in
The Northern States, aud Of the first duties which
dovoyed upon this government was 10 establish the ne
cessary manulactorcs and in the meantime obtain by
purchases from abroad lr as practicable whatever
was requisite for Oh. public defence No effort has been
spared to effect both hcse ends and though the results
have not equed our hopes It is believed that an impair
un judgment wi upon full investigation award TO the
various departments q the government credit fpr having
done all winch human power and foresight enabled them
TO accomplish. The salor aud devotion u hc people
have not only sustained the efforts Of the government
but have gone far 10 supply its DEFICIENCIES.
The active state of military preparations among the
nations Of Europe in April last the date when our AGENTS
hts went abroad incrp'scd unavoidable delays in the
procurement Of arms and the u navy has great
sorts
have hoped Tor several DAYS to receive the official re-
ports cauNc 10 our discontinue at Roanoke Island and
the ia Of Fort Donelson. They have not reached me-
and am therefore unable 10 communicate 10 YOU such
information OF past events and consequences esultpp
rom them. AS would enable me TO make recommended
tons founded upon the changed condition which they
have produced Enough is known Of the surrender of
hoanokc Island 10 make us feel that il deeply hum
tons for defense
The hope ). st eutetained that our reported losses
At Fort Donelson have been greatly exaggerated, mas
much as am not only unwilling but unable to believe
at large army OF people have surrendered without
desperate effort cut their through the investing
forces. Whatever have hopu and
make aJuncion with other divisions Of the amy But
% hs absence Of that exact information which can only
hc Afforded by official reports IL would be premature 10
pass judgment and my is reserved as trust yours
viii be, until the IN 'ormation is received
In the meantime strenuous efforts have been made to
IoW urNNd Ieniorccmenis' 20 The armies at positions
threatened and cannot doubt the bitter disappoitmcnts
nave borne by ncring the people 10 still greater
tons will speedily results more accordaut with
our just expectations and favorable 10 our cause as
those which marked the earlier period VI the war The
reports oi the Secretaries Of War ard Navy will exhibit
The mass OF resources for the conduct Of the war which
we nave been enabled TO accumulate notwithstanding
lhe very serious difficulties against which have con-
sna.l Ihey afford cheering hope that orr resources,
nieu as hey we're at the beginning Of the contest will
dungis progress become developed to such an extent
as 10 fully meet our future wants
he policy OF eniistmeuts for short terms against
which nave steadily c0ntented from the commencement
OF the war has, IN my judgment contributed in no mma
material degree TO the which have suffer
ed ana even now renders difficult to furnish you ac-
outatc statement Of the army When the war hft
out many Of our people could with difficulty be persua
ded mar 10 would be long serious. Il not deemed
PNsaue Al any lhlnE so insane asa persistent attempt
10 suhugite these States could be made still less tha
delusi1 could so far prevail give the war the vast
proportions which 10 has assumed he people inrrodu
Gus OF long war, were naturally to long enlist
mcns and the early legislation II Congress rendered il
mpactcaoe to obtain volunteers for great period than
twelve months
Now that It has become probable that the war will be
continued through series u years our hgh-suirited
end gallant soldiers, while generally re-enlistng, ae
rom the Tact othavug entered the service Tor short
tcrm compelled IN many Instances to 20 home 10 make
hectssary Arrangements Tor their families during their
prolonged absence.
The quotas tor regiments for the war called from
we ahcent states rapid progress Of organization
ne Whoc body Of new lesies and reenlisted men will
pTonaJA De ready On the ranks within the next thirty
Jays. nut IN The mean time il is exceedingly difficult
TO give an accurate statement Of the number OF oar
m le n'u lhty may, in general terms, be stat
ca al 4uO regiments Of infantry with frcs
n auiefy ana cavalry; the details Of which will be
shown by the report Of the Secretary Of War
uSem proper to advert 70 the fact that the process
Of utoughs and ,tmens progress FOR he ast
month had 50 tar dsorganized aud weakened our forces
as to impair our ability for successful defence but here
oy eohsauate you that his evil which had foresecn
aug was p0"elless TO prevent, may be said to be
substantially at an end and shall not again during
NE var De exposed 70 seeing strength diminished by
ms fruitful cause Of disaster.
The people ofthe Confederate States being prinrpal
Y engaged IA agricultural pursuits, unprovided at
he commencement Of hostilities with ships shpyards
ma materials for shipbuldng. skilled mechanics and
'eamen IN sufficient numbers to make the prompt crea
on OF navy practical task even il the required an
'i"pla hau D@eh made for the purpose. Nutwth-
'andlng our Ney limited resources, however. the re-
BORT OF The Secretary will exhibit to YOU safsf,ctorv
'topron IN preparation and certainly Of the near com
'Ieoh o. vessels OF number and class on which We NAV
confidently rely for eoniesng the control of the
nemy over waters.
The financial system devised by the wisdom Of vour
has proved adequate TO sipplyn All Inc
ants OF the government Notwithstanding the unexpcot
ID and very large increase Of expenditures resulting from
great augmentation OF the necessary means Of deuse
he report Of the Secretary Of the Treasury viii ,bi
he gratifying fact that we have floating debt that the
fedt ~ me government is unimpaircd and that the to
al expenditure Of the for the wear has beer
II round numbers S7O 600 O0-less than third tbe
um wasted BY the enemy IN his vain effort 10 cououor
isess han ne value Of single article of expor-the
'ouon crop Of the year.
The report of the Postmaster General will show the
condition oi that Department 20 be steadily improving
Is revenue increasing, and already afford ng assurances
NAT ~ VIII be sesusl aimed at the date required bv the
1ohsu'uuon While afording ample mail facilities fos the
In the Department Of Justice, which includes the ma
'h once ana public printing some legislative rroyis-
ohs vi" De required, which will be specifically stated i'm
ne report Of the head Of that department
invite the attention of Compress ., tho d,ty If ..
zng supreme Court Of the Confederate states In a.
iordance with the mandate Of the Constitution.
felet 10 my message, communicated TO the prnvisiou-
congress In November last for such further nf1rma
ion touching the condition ofpubc affairs as IL might be
lseiul 70 l"y before you the short interval which has
Elapsed since not having produced any material changes
n that condition. other than those 10 which reference
las already been made
In conclusion, cordially welcome the Represcntatiyes
MO recently chosen by The people, are fully inbued
WIN 'her views and feelings, and ably devise
ssure you Of my hearty cooperation in all your efforts
or the common welfare OF the country.
(signed) JEFFERSON DAVIS.