Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-08-23

is imposed on the treasury. The necessity Tor some
legislation for controlling military transportation
the rail roads, and improving their present defec-
tive condition forces itself upon the attention OF the
Government, and trust you will De able to devise
satisfactory measures for attaining this purpose.
The legislation on the subject of general officers
involves the service in some difficulties which are
pointed out by the Secretary, and for which the
remedy suggested by him seems appropriate.
In connection with this subject am of opinion
that prudence dictates some provision for the in
crease of the army in the event of emergencies not
now anticipated. Tne very large increase of forces
recently called into the field by the President OF the
United States may render it necessary hereafter TO
extend the provisions of the conscrpt law so as 70
embrace persons between the ages OF thlrtyhye and
forty five years. The vigor and etnclency Oh our
present forces, their condition. and the skill and
ability which distinguish their leaders, inspire the
belief that no further enrolment will be necessary
But wise foresight requires that If necessity
should be suddenly developed during the recess Of
Congress requiring increased forces for our defence
means should exist for calling such forces into the
field without awaiting the reassembling Of the leg
islative department of the Government
In the election and appointment of officers for the
provisional army it was to be anticipated that mis-
takes would be made and incompetent officers OF all
grades introduced into the service. In the absence
of experience and with no reliable guide for selec-
ton, Executive appointments, as we'll as elections,
have been sometimes unfortunate. The good of the
service and the interests of country require that
some means be devised for withdrawing the commits
sions of officers who are incompetent for the duties
required by their position. And trust you Will
find means for relieving the army of such officers
by some mode more prompt and less woundng to
their senSibility than the judgment of court mar
tal.
Within recent period we have effected the object
so long desired OF an arrangement for an exchange
of prisoners, which is now being executed by dev-
cry at the points agreed upon and which WILL 1t is
hoped speedily restore our brave and unfortunate
countrymen to their places in the ranks OF the army,
from which, by the fortunes ofwar, they have been,
for time separated The details of the arrange
ment will be communicated to you in special re-
port, when further progress has been made IN their
execution.
Of the particulars concerning the operations of
the War Department you will be informed by the
Secretary in his report and the accompanying docu
mentS.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy embraces
the operations and present condition of this branch
of the public service, both aioat and ashore, the
construction and equipment of armed vessels ct home
and abroad the manufacture of ordnance stores, and
the establishment of workshops and the develop
ment of our resources of coal and iron. Some leg
Slation seems essential for securing crews for vessels
The difficulties now experienced on this point are
fully stated in the Secretarys report, and invite
your attention to providing a remedy.
= The report of the Postmaster General discloses
che embarraSSments which resulted i'll the postal
service from the occupation by the enemy Of the
Mississippi river and portions of the territory of the
different States. The measures taken by the De-
partment for relieving these embarrassments as far
as practicable are detailed in the report. 1t is
subject of congratulaton that during the ten months
that ended on the Sd March last the expenses of the
Department were largely decreased, whilst its re-
venUe augmented, compared with CORES
pondlng period ending on the thirteth June, eigh
teen hundred and sixty one when the postal system
was conducted under the authority delegated to the
United States.
Sufficient time has not yet elapsed to determine
whether the heretofore devised by Congress
will accomplish the end of bringing the expenditures
of the Department within the limits of its re-
venues by the first of March next, as required by
the Constitution.
am happy to inform you that in spite both of
Establishments and threats, used in profusiOn by
the agents Of the government of the United States
the Indian nations within the Confederacy have
remained firm in their loyalty, and steadaSt in the
observance of their treaty engagements with this
government. Nor has their fidelity been shaken oy
the fact that, owing to the vacancies in some Of the
offices Of the agents and superintendent, delay has
occurred in the payments of the annuiteS and al
lowances to which they are entitled. | now advise
some provision authorizing payments to be made by
other officers, in the absence Of those especially
charged by law with this duty.
We have never.ceasng cause to be grateful for
the favor with which God has protected our infant
Confederacy, and it becomes us reverenty to return
our thanks and humbly to ask Of his bounteouSnesS
that wisdom which is needful for the performance
of the high trusts with which we are charged.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
RIcHMcSD, Va, August Is, 1862.