Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1863-01-16
PUBLISHED (DAILyl TX
EDGAR SNOW DEN, ia.
1zg~ OFFICE-No lO4 King street, over
etonc,s, formerly French's) Book Store.
Massage Of President Davis to the Confederate
Congress,

After briefly referring to the campaigns
since his last annual message, he says: The
articipatious with which we entered into the
contest have now ripened into conviction
which is not only shaled with us by the com
anon opinion of neutral nations, but is evident
" forcing itself upon cur 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 has been our sacrifices and suffering
during the war, the determination Of this peo-
pie has with each succeeding month become
1nore unate' ably fixed to endure any suffer
Ing and continue any sacrifice however pro
loDged, until their right to self government
and the sovereignty and independence Of these
States shall have been riulnrhantly vindicated
and established
He then refers back to history, when four
Of the States now forming a portion Of the
Confederacy were recognized as independent
soverelgntles by two OF the great maritime
powers Of Europe, IL treaty OF peace concu-
ced in 1888. He reviews the history OF the
Confederation, and the ultimate union Of the
States, and asserts that the now Confederate
States being members Of the Union, with rights
as equal and independent sovereignties, they
hid right to secede when. in their Judgment,
sa eety and honor required such a sten. I'll
speaks Of the early determination Of England.
France and other European powers to conhne
themselves to recognizing the self evident fact
Of the existence OF war, and to maintain a
strict neutrality during IT'S progress, but draws
from this the conclusion that their course Of
a;tlon was but an actual decision against the
South and III favor OF the Union, at the same
time tending to prolong the hostilities
lie complains Of European injustice in other
matters, citing the The conclusion of a treaty
with the United States for the abolishment of
puvateerlng, aud thus preventing the Confed-
ertte States from dlsposing Of, in foreign ports
the prizes which their priyateers might cap
tuce. This he thinks one Of the dircst shafts
AIMED at the success OF the Confederacy. Not
Wlthslanolng repeated remonstranccs by the
'5,on1ederacy, neutral European powers, and
n olr own admission as to the inefhciency Of the
!, ;dera blockade Of Southern ports, neutral
Europe has received these renlonstrances in
almost unOroken silence, submitting to the
wrong inflicted on their commerce by the Uni
ted States. lie, however, asserts that while
speaking thus OF European powers, he has no
complaint to make that these nations have de-
cIared their neutrality
In speaking Of the war, he says: 1t is my
painful duty again to inform you Of the re-
laeEed examples Of every atroclty committed
y the armed forces Of the United States, at
W52eEent points within the Contederacy.
v?;nce my last communication, one Csen. NC
i3 o.G5l has murdered seven prisoners OF war II
}SYIo blood, and the demand for bis punishment
os> nSs remained unsatisfed. The Government
~ ;I tae United States, after promising an exam
-.ol!Oi and u rntrard To the charges