The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-12-15


originally had, and materially improve his condition.
The reports from the ordnance and mining hureaux
are very gratifying, and the extensions of
supply of arms add munitions of war fron our home
resources, has been such to ability
to become mainly, entirely independent of sup
plies from foreign countries The establishments for
the casting of and proectaes for the manufacture
OF small arms and of empower for the supply Of ntre
from artificial nitre BEDS and mining operations gener
ally, have been SO distributed through the country, as
to place resources beyond the reach of partial dis
asters. go. ell. sst..--
The recommendations of the Secretary of War on
other points, infinitely detailed in his report which
submitted to you, and extending, they do to al
most every branch Of the service merit careful consd
] Grafton. ID a. ..s.
EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.
regret to inform you that the enemy have returned
to the barbarous policy with which they nnugurated
the war; and that the exchange of prisoners has been
for time suspended. The correspondence OF the
Commissioners of Exchange is submitted you BY the
Secretary OF War; and it has already been published for
the information of all suffering useless mprison
nent. The conduct of the authorities of the United
States has Teen consistently perfdious this subject
An agreement for exchange in the incipieney of the
war had just been concluded when the fall of Fort
Dopelson reversed the previous state of things and
gave them excess of prisoners. The agreement
immediately repudfated by thea, and remained till
the fortune of again placed in possession of the
larger number. new cartel was then made and, I'M
der it, for many months; we restored to them many
thousands of prisoners, in of those whom they
held for exchange and encampments of the surplus pa
rolled prisoners delivered up by u.s. established in
the comforts and solace of constant communication
with their homes and families. In July last the for
| tuge of war again favored the enemy and they were
enabled to exchange for duty the men previously de-
lyered to them against those captured and paroed at
Vicksbrrg and Port Hudson. The prisoners taken at
Gettysburg, however, remained in their hands, and
should have been returned to lines parole, 20
await exchange Instead of executing duty imposed
by the painest dictates of justice and good faith
texts instantly sought TOR holding them in perma
captivity General orders rapidly succeeded each
| other from the bureaux at Washington placing new
constructions on agreement which had given rise to
no dispute while retained the advantage in the
Der OF prisoners With disregard OF honorable obii
cations, almost unexnmped, the dig hesitate
addition to ing the prisoners captured by the
TO declare null the paroles given by the prisoners cap
'ured by in the same series Of engagements and lib
Grated condition of not again serving until exchang-
ed. They have since openly insisted treating tho
paroles gven by their soldiers as invalid, and
those of soldiers given under precisely similar cir
Gums ances, as binding. succession of similar
just professions has been up in correspondence
tediously prolonged and every device employed TO
cover the disregard of an obligation which, between
belligerent nations is only to be enforced By sense
of honor.
No farther comment is needed on subject but
be permitted direct your special attention to
the close of ehe correspondence submitted to from
which you will perceive that the final proposal made
by the enemy in settlement of all disputes under the
cartel is that should iberae all prisoners held by
us, without the offer to release from captivity any of
those held by them. :- e.. ID. ~..
In the meanti.ne systematic and concerted effort
has been made quiet the complaints in the United
States ofthose rela es and friends of the prisoners in
hands who unable to understand why the car
tel is not executed in their favor, by the groundless
assertion that the parties who refuse compliance
Attempts also made to shield themselves trem the
execration excited by their odfoas treatment of
officers and soldiers captive IN thee hands,
statements, such that the prisoners held by uS
are deprived Of food To this last accusation The
elusive answer has been made that in accordance with
law ard the general orders of the department. the
rations of the prisoners precisely the same in
tity and quality those served out to gallant
soldiers in the field and which have been found sudi
cent support them in their arduou campaign while
is not pretended by the that they treat prison
ers by the generous rule. By an indulgence
perhaps ecedencd, have allowed the prs-
in hands to be supplied by their friends at
home with comforts not enjoyed by the men who cap
them in battle In contrast to this treatment, the
revolving inlumanity has characterized the
duct of the United States towards prisoners held by
them. One promin fact, which admits no denial
nor palliatiou, must suffice The officers CT
MY, natives of Southern and semi tropical china
ties, and unprepared for thecod of Northern winter
have been conveyed for Imprisonment, during the rig
of the present season. to the most Northern and
posed situation that could be selected by the enemy
There beyond the reach of comforts and often even OF
news from home and family, exposed to the piercing
cold Of the Northern lakes they held by who
cannot be ignorant Of if they do design, the
probable result How many of our unfortunate friends
| and comrades, who have passed unscathed through
numerous battles will perish Johusons island,
der the cruel trial to which they subjected, none
but the Ominiscient forecll. That they will en-
dure this treatment with the stern for
ttude that they have eyinceG in their countrys
service, we cannot doubt. But who be found to
believe the assertion that it is refusal execute
the cartel, and the maligny of the foe which has
caused the inction of such int lerable cruelty
| own loved and honored defenders?
| ANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT.
Regular and punctual communication with the
Mississippi is obstruced to render difficult
a compliance with much of the Legislation vestng
! thority in the Executive branch Of the Government
To supply vacancies in Office; to exercise discretion
certain connected with the military organiZa
ons control the distribution of the funds collected
from taxation RENTED from the Treasury carry
the operations sf the Post Office Department and other
like duties require, under the Constitution and exist
ing laws the action of the President and heads of be-
partments. The necessities of the military service fire.
ouently forbid delay and some legislation is required
providing for the Exercise of porary authority, until
regular action be had the of Government
would suggest, especially in the Post Office Depart
nent assistant be provided for the States be-
yord the Mississippi, with authority in the head Of
that Department to vest in tLs assistant all such pow
ers exercised by the Postmaster General, as may
be requisite for provisional control of the funds of the
department in those States aud their application
the payment of mail contractors for superintendent
the local post Offices and the for carrying
the MALL for the temporary employment of proper per-
fulfill the duties of posna and contractors
in urgent cases, until appointments be made and
for other like purposes. Without legislative
provision the subject there Is serious risk of the
destruction of the mail service BY of the delays
and hardships suffered by contractors nader the pre-
system, which requires constant reference TO Rich
mond of their accounts we'll of the returns of the