The Portland daily press., 1863-01-16
BY TELEGRAPH.
TOTHE
Portland Daily Press.
FROM THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
JEFF. Davis Inaugural Message.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF PoToMAc, |

Mcintosh, of the rebel army, her sister and
sister-in-law. They were received and escort
ed to Gen. Summers headquarters by Colonel
Partell, OF that officers staff.
Richmond papers of tlris morning have
come to hand, The most important feature of
news is JEFF. Davis annual message to the reb-
ell Congress. After briefly referring to the
campaign since the last annual message, he
says:
The anticipations which entered into the
contest have now ripened into conviction,
which is not only shared with us by the COM
mon opinion OF neutral nations, but is evident
ly forcing itself upon our enemies themselves.
The advent of peace will be hailed with JOY.
Our desire for it has never been concealed.-
But earnest as has been our wish for peace
and great as have been our sacrifices and suf-
ferings dnring the war, the determination of
this people has with each succeeding month
become more unalterably fixed to endure any
suffering and continue any sacrifice however
prolonged, until their right to selfgovernment
and the sovereignty and Independence of these
States shall have been triumphantly vindicat-
ed and established.
He then refers back to history and to the
days that four of the States now forming a
portion Of the Confederacy were recognized
as independent sovereignties by the two great
maritime powers of Europe, in treaty of
peace concluded in 1888.
ne VIEWS Jue history OF the confederation
and ultimate reunion of the States and as
serts that the now Confederate States were
members of the Union with the right as great
and independent sovereignties TO secede when
in their judgment their safety and honor re-
quired such step.
He speaks of the early determination of
England, France, and other European powers,
to confne themselves to recognizing the self
evident fact of the existence of strict neutral
hnp fha Of N,,t
from this the conclusion that their courses of
action was but an actual decision against the
South and in favor of the Union, at the same
time tending to prolong hostilities.
He complains of European justice in other
matters, citing the conclusions OF a treaty
with the United States for the adjustment of
priyateering, thus preventing the Conederates
from disposing OF, in foreign ports, the prizes
which their privateers might capture. This
he thinks is a direct shaft aim at the success
of the Confederacy. Notwithstanding the re-
peated circumstances by the Confederacy to
neutral European powers. and their own adj
mission as to the inetliciency of the Federal
blockade of the Southern ports neutral Eu-
rope has received the circumstances in almost
unbroken silence, submitting TO the wrong in
flicted on her commerce by the United States.
He, however, asserts, while speaking thus of
European powers, that he has no complaint to
make that these nations have declared their
neutrality.
In speaking of the war; he says 1t is my
painful duty to inform you of renewed exam
plies of every atrocity committed by armed
forces of the United States at different points
within the Confederacy. Since my last COM
munication, one Gen. Mcneil murdered seven
prisoners of war in cold blood, and the de-
mand for his punishment has remained unsat-
isfed. The Government of the United States,
after promising examination and explanation
in relation to the charges made against Gen.
Il. +. Butler, has, by its subsequent action,
after repeated efforts on my part to obtain
some answer on the subject, not only admitted
his guilt, but sanctioned it by acquiescence.
| have accordingly branded this criminal.
Recently have received apparently authen-
tic intelligence of another General by the
name of Milroy, who has issued orders in
Western Virginia for the payment of money
to him by the inhabitants, accompanied by the
most savage threats of shooting every racu-
sart, besides burning his house, and threat
ening similar atrocities against any of the cit
liens who shall fail to betray their country by
giving him prompt notice of the approach of
our forces. This subject has also been sub
mitted to the authorities of the United States.
with but faint hopes that they will evince any
disapprobation of the act.
In relation to President Lincoln's enamel
patton proclamation, he says, he may as well
ity which beneficent Creator has planted in
the breasts of our fellow men in all countries,
to pass Judgement on measure of which sew
eral millions of human beings of an inferior
race, peaceful and contented laborers in their
| sphere, are doomed to determination, while at
the same time they are encouraged to general
assassination OF their masters by the insdious
recommendations to abstain from violence, I'M
less in necessary self defence. Our own de-
testation of those who have attempted the
most execrable massacre recorded in the his
tory of guilty men, is tinctured by profound
sentiment for impotent rage which it discloses.
As far as regards the action of this govern
ment on such criminals as may attempt its
| execution, confine myself to informing you
that | SHALL unless in your wisdom you deem
some other course more expedient deliver to
| the State authorities all commissioned officers
| OF the United States that may hereafter be
| captured by our forces in any of the States
| embraced in the proclamation, that they may
| be dealt with in accordance with the laws of
those States providing for the punishment of
| criminals engaged in exciting servile insurrec-
ton. In its political aspect this measure pos
sesses great Specification, and TO it in this light
| | invite your attention 1t affords to our peo-
| pie the complete and GROWING proof Of the
true nature of the designs of the party which
| elevated to power the present occupant of
the Presidential chair at Washington, and
winch sought 10 conceal Its purposes by every
vanity of artlul grace, and by the perfdious
use of the most solemn and repeated pledges
| on every practical occasion. He gives extracts
| from Lincon's inaugural, and comments fully
upon the subsequents by Congress and the
| administration.
He urges the enactment of law to hasten
the funding of the outstanding Treasury notes,
| and fixing the ultimate period for the purpose
| not later than the first Of July next so rs TO
effect the withdrawal of notes issued prior to
| the first of last December If to this be add
| ed a revenue from adequate taxation and
| negotiation of bonds guaranteed by the sever
| al States, as has already been generally pro-
posed by some of them, there is little doubt
we shall see our finances restored to sound
| and satisfactory condition. 1t is true that at
| the close of the war our debt will be large,
| but it will be due to our own people, and
neither the interest nor the capital will be ex-
ported to distant countries, impoverishng
ours for their benefit. He merely calls atten-
ton to the report of the Secretary of the
| Treasury, and asks for proper legislation on
| the subject of the finances. The operations
of the War Department have been in the
main satisfactory.
| The summary of military success he ascribes
| to Congress, which enacted the conscription
laws and organized the army, well as to the
| spirit and unity, endurance and devotion of the
| people. He recommends liberal appropria-
tons in accordance with the suggestions of
the Secretary of War, Dependence on foreign
i 4