The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-12-01
more fully defined and set forth with greater par

more fully defined ana set Iortn with greasoh P".
t:cuarity.
The very important subject of feeding the poor
whose supporters and protectors are in the army,
again demands our attention. The results OF the
first years operations are encouraging, and shouid
serve to give our people confidence in the resour-
ces of their State Great anxiety felt last
: Fall, as you know, on the subject OF food; ana
fears were entertained that suferlng IT not actaa
starvation, would be witnessed in many quarters.
Under the authority conferred upon me oy your your
BODY purchased and stored away about oO,Ooo
bushels of corn, 900 lbs. of bacon, quantity
of rice, &c, which l expected would go but little
way.in supplying the general wants. When the
season closed, and the new crop came 10, however,
to my surprise and qualification found that MAJ
Hogg, Commissary of Subsistence, had only issued
to the county commissioners about one-third OF
the bacon less than one-haf of the corn, and but
very little of the rice. Hereports still on hand
some 10000 lbs. Of bacon, having fed number
of negroes engaged on the public works aud sold
to the army 100000 lbs, with 10000 bushels OF
corn. l have reason to believe that from vars'us
causes, the crops this year have not been so aoun
dant as usual, and that the public Will De called
upon to do more than last season. But still see
I no cause for alarm and my last years experience
has encouraged me to believe that all can be fed
from our own resources by proper prudence and
economy. ] respectfully recommend liberal ap-
|
to population, for this purpose-at least double
that OF last year-and that be allowed to buy aud
store away corn flour and bacon as heretofore.
The earnings of the steamer Advance, which
has been employed in running the blockade, may
be applied to this purpose, they cannot be made
to meet our debt abroad. They will be amply
sufficient, without taxing the public dollar. the
method of distributing these articles OF 1000, the
duties of the subagents and the proper reclplents
should be more definitely set forth and provision
should be made for those families OF soldiers who
according the present arrangement, forfeit their
| claim to assistance by removing from one county
to another, which is frequently almost unavoidable.
| Reports are submitted herewith of the opera
lions of the Advance, Subsistence and Quarter
masters Departments, which / trust you will find
satisfactory. The enterprise OF running the block
AIDE and importing army supplies from abroad, has
proven most complete success. You will see
from the reports that large quantities OF clothing,
leather and Shoes ubricating oils, factory findings,
sheet iron and tin, arms and ammunition, medi-
cncs dyestuffs, blankets, cotton baggng and rope,
spirits, coffee, &C., have been safely brought IN,
| besides considerable freight for the Confederacy.
| Two thousand and ten bales OF cotton have been
sent to Liverpool, the proceeds of which are de-
posted the credit of the State less the amount
expenses of the vessel With what We have i'm
ported and the purchases in our home market, |
think l can safely say that the North Carolina
troops will be comfortably clothed to January:
| lS65-should God, in his providence, so long sec
tit to affllct us with continuance of the war-ex
cept as to shoes and blankets. Neither the Ord
nance nor Quartermaster's Departments placed too
much reliance on foreign importations; for every
effort has been made to stimulate home production.
Both the quality and quantity of arms and NUM-
| tions manufactured, have been improved in the
past twelve months. After the fall of Vicksburg
cut US off from the wool of Texas, every exertion
has been made to secure for the State the small
lots in the hands of our farmers, and with such
success to keep mills all running. And
here | would beg your assistance in the protection
and growth OF sheep, by such enactments as will
best tend to promote the object. Certainly there
is no branch of farming Industry Of greater impor
lance now, nor one to which more beneficial
Stimulus can be applied by judcious legislation.
Our midland and western hills admirably adapt
ed to sheep culture, and could get it start
ed, under such auspices presented, it
would grow into important element of wealth
and national strength. | unable at present,
to furnish you with statement of our indebted
| ness, purchases, NC, in Europe, not having re-
ceived as yet the necessary information from our
agents.
l herewith send you a communication from a
committee of the Legislature of Virginia in rela-
ton to the currency. This important subject, up
on which greatly depends the successful prose
cution Of the war for our independence, | com
mend to your wlsest deliberations. Although the
remedy, for its great depreciation lies with the
Confederate Congress, rather than with your body
yet there might be much done by the States 10
| a6 of the efforts of Congress. I confess NY ina
bility to suggest any remedy for redundant paper
| issues, other than to take them up by loans and
taxation, and by the exhibition OF the most rigid
good faith in regard to their redemption. With
uatons, with individuals, this often constitutes
capital. The poor should be especially cautious
to preserve it.
| have to thank you, gentlemen, for the cordial
and confding support which have heretofore re-
ceived at your hands, and to earnestly ask its con-
tiuuance Surely no Executive can boast OF more
Jealous and warmer cooperation of CO. coordinate
branch of government, than | have experienced
from your body.
L shall need your sustaining arm still more in
the future. The most dangerous crisis Ut the war
is upon us-that crisis which is incident to all
| revolutions and which is most difficult for public
officers to surmount The novelty, confusion and
enthusiasm which filled our armies and exhilarated
our people, having long since passed away the
winnowing force Of want and privation and suffer
ing begins to separate the particles. The noisy
are SILENT the faint OF heart begin to despair and
the dlsloyal, though few to grow bold in the pres
ehce of national ills The restless and the dis
COZ tented strve of Course to Undue oil others with
their own gloomy forebodings. The great mass,
thank God, continue hopeful aud earnest Let
US sun labor with one accord to sustain the ma
tlon hope, and to show that we are wortbv of in