Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-25

large sources of production, but have drawn heavily,
TOO, on existing resources Virginia cannot but feel
sensibly this exhaustion, and this destruction Of her
productive powers and will feel them more unless time
y measures OF precaution are resorted to. However
Georgia and the other Cotton States may teen with
wonted abundance of breadstu STILL from their remote
ness, aud the great and increasing difficulties of trans
portaton, still the stress and burden of the army sup
phes must fall irst and heaviest Virginia. the main
seat OIL .he war Let her prepare to meet it. Let her
omit nothing that may enable her to meet it successful
~ ner productive area is sensiby reduced her agri-
LABOR greatly diminished by spoliaton and by the
ge demand Tor labor in the Mines the factories and
"1Srnsnops. On the other hand, only large ar
MES out great bodies Of our friends driven from their
homes and the large additional numbers broucht
us by the establishment Of the Confederate
here, demand increased supplies. Thus while consnn
ton has greatly augmented in Virginia her nrodnctiIe
powers have by many causes been prss,lr ,aS,S's
need not urge that the necessity of increased sunl;
is enhanced further by the difficulties and rreguarit;es
of transportation for it is too plain to need proof that
in proportion as the free circulation of commodities ia
mpeded larger local supplies to preyentocal suffering,
become everywhere necessary.
These are theIconsderatons that have led to n-
vito the attention of the House to this subject 1t is
here this matter Of provisions that lies greatest
might almost say, only danger. Ii is none, when
seen and properly guarded against With my deep and
anxious Of it. feel it my Duty and the duty Of all
of us, to omit nothing in power to do to it.
may be averted by directing public attention earnestly
to it, We possess the Our people will be
prompt employ Them il informed of the danger and
Of the urgency for prompt and efficient action That is
all they want and that what Invite you to unite with
me in alording them They do not and cannot know it
we know it. They will in my opinion hearken to our
counsel They dsparage themselves aud disparage this
House who suppose otherwise. will tell the gentleman
from Boetourt Mr. j. T. Anderson that this course of
which lie speaks sghtingy the frequent resort Of
those wise and patriotic who carried US through our
revolutionary struggle Similar recommendations to
this before u.s. Of frequent in the journals
fthc Legislatures of that period In like manner time
of great scarcity in England in $780, Parliament did not
think it beneath its "dgnity" to urge the King las the
mode is there) to issue his proclamation recommending
the practice OF the utmost ugaty in the use of food
well the most earnest efforts to increase the guam
tity For myself with my deep Of the danger and
Of my duty in respect to it, should be willing If neces
sary stand alone before the country in support of this
recommendation. | would sustain it, If were as sure
Of being alone, feel confident of the almost unani-
cooperation Of the House. Humble and insignif-
cant as am there are some, sure might be but
Dozen a hqpdred-yet some, that would listen even
to my humble warning in matter of such vast import
ance and that number large small would yet add
thing to the public stock-and if you will all unite with
me- am sure each would find some to heed his advice
and the multitude Of those small savings or of small ad-
ditions to production would result in great aggregate
warding it of.
have desired, by my second resolution only to give
more emphasis TO our recommendation, and evidence of
the earncstness with which would invite to it the at
tention Of our countrymen. The signatures of the
Speakers of the two Houses and the cooperation spe-
Ciay invited of the great and respectable body of
who compose the magsracy of the State, would afford
this evidence and proof that what we recommend is the
deliberate aud wcllconsdcred Judgment of the General
Assembly; and, anticipating no objection to them,
would desire, with the view that the members
would record their votes that the individual weight
Of all who approve them should be seen to be given to
them deliberately
The General Assembly Of Virginia, moved by deep
sense of the Importance at this time of raising above
all things abundance OF provisions and of forage for
the uses of our armies aud OF the people at large conf
dent in our ample of production, as well in
the public spirit and patriotic zeal of citizens aud
fearing no deficiency or serious inconvenience beyond
what at all times may from unfavorabe seasons,
except such might result Over-conlidence in those
resources from not sufficiently advertng TO the large
space of our territory, temporarily disabled from fur
nishng its usual contribution to the public wants and
to other considerable portions of the Confederacy cut
OF for the present from their usual sources OF supply
But still deemng it their highest duty guard far
possible against the chance of greata calam
ity as scarcity of provisions, do therefore,
ResoiSo /. That Lhey earnestly recommend To every
citizen of the State, that he shall aim to
greatly beyond his usual amount, all HE ag-
rcutural products of every kind whatsoever,
his grain and his grass crops his live stock, his fruits
and his garden vegetables everything indeed that goes
to the sustenance of and beast before he shall ap
ply his labor to any other object employment what
ever, that he constantly practice frugay in using his
resources of food and bear ia mind always to consume
first what is most pershable in order that he may hus
band his whole stock to the best advantage and they
enoin it upon and make it the special charge Of every
Justice Of the Peace throughout all the States not
cuped by the enemy, to visit his neghbors and urge it
upon them to act promptly and ehectualy on this re-
commentator as work Of true patriotism, a sacred
duty to the of the independence and safety of the
Confederate States and furnishing to the world the
evidence of their firm and immoyabe determination to
incur every sacrifice, and to omit effort that may be
necessary to the success Of that holy cause.
3D. That as many copies Of the foregoing preamble
and resolutions, aesed by the President of the Senate
and the Speaker of the House of Delegates as they
shall deem expedient be printed in such form they
may direct for the of the members of the General
Assembly, to be by them sent to the Justices Of their
counties, and otherwise disseminated best to ad
vance the object in view.