Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-08
ExPEYsRs OF rHE wAR.

The total amount paid through the auditors office for
the war; i 81 SS7lls So Of which 1871 1851 %
is chargcabe 10 the Virginia State Line. The report of
Major SmoOt will show how much of the amount drawn
for the State Line has been disbursed, and will also
show the value of the supplies hand; aud to that
port | respectfully refer you for this information
IL s for congraulston, that although the pecu-
mary burden upon Virginia has been heavy since the
commencement OF tIe war, she has sustained it with a
spirit and courage worthy Of her revolutionary fame
An the demands upon her that have been presented have
been promptly paid soon as audited No creditor has
becu compelled wait longer than necessary to
adjust his accounts and ascertain the amount to which
he she was entitled.
THE SALT CONTRACT AID NODE OF DESTRUCTION.
So soon as could leave the seat of government after
your adjournment repaired to Salsve for the purpose
of executing the law in regard to the purchase and dis
tributon of salt. l very found that most per
picking and embarrassing duty had been devolyed upon
me that it was surrounded with difficulties; and that
it would require the exercise of great prudence and the
most ldciOus management to accomplish the objects Of
the Legislature and at the sameme steer clear of dis
agreeable and injurious conflicts with the interests of the
Confederate Government and the Governments of the
States of Georgia. Alabama, Tennessee and North Caro-
ua-all OF whom had entered into contracts with the
proprietOrs Of the salt works, and under which they
were engaged in the manufacture of salt for the supply
of the citizens of those States These latter contracts
were not made until the Legislature had declined to
purchase the salt works property, and were made there
fore in good faith. When. / went to Satvillc, /
found that they had made large expenditures of
money, and they at that time just beginning to
enjoy the fruits of their outlay The Confederate Gov
ernment had also for twenty-five thousand
bushels Of salt per MONTH which had been made in the
year 1851 and which then in process of execution
To have interered with this contract would have en-.
tailed suffering upon our soldiers in the field not
only for the present. but in the future long at least
the should continue. County and corporation
courts in our Own State they were authorized by
special law TO do in praeeworthy efforts to relieve the
wants aud necessities Of their people had also made
courRcts which had been partially executed BY the de-
livery oil more OF the Dlohtly instalments pro
yjei for il the contracts To have interfered With
these would have been TO punish them for the COM
mendabe efforts they had made, and could not have
resulted otherwise than in withholding from their ci
the salt they were then actually receiving came
10 tie conclusion therefore, after the most mature con-
sderLtion no to Interfere in any way with these sub
sisiing ana partially executed contracts Had these
contracts been merely exscutory, might perhaps,
have come to o deterrent conclusion.
There were still other difficulties equally as Cmberrass-
ing. If should determine to take possession Of te
works must IN the first place. have had the damages
assessed for the real property seized In the secoud
place. must have had timber condemned sufficient TO
supply the necessary enount Of fuel thas would be re-
CURED for the operation OF the works. In the third
place. must impress sufficient number Of slavesto cut
and cord the wood, and sufficient number of wagons
aud drivers and other labor to insure its delivery at the
works In the fourth place. would have been compelled
to Impress hands experienced in the sal boiling bust
ness aud who familiar with the process of
acure Ia the fifth place would have been compelled
meet the requirements OF the contract which had been
made with the confederate government which your
directed Inc keep inyolate. And many other things
of importance, bit of less consequence would have
been required to be DONE The necessary result would
have BEEN that when had finished the payments of
sessments Of oil kinds would have had very little Of
the appropriation left with which prosecute the
ulActurc of salt Nineteeu-tweneths of the appropria
ton would have been absorbed, aud the people would
have been in the end OFT for salt than under the
present srrangement.
therefore determined TO purchase SALT if possible,
that being in NY Judgment, the only feasible plan for
relieving to any valuable and useful extent, the public
necessities and avoiding dagreeable Conflicts pregnant
with the most michievous results the unity and bar
mony which should be cherished and cultivated between
the State of Virginia and the Confederate Government
and atthe States composing the Confederaey, The sol
dsrs all these States stood side by side the battle
6ald With slg kollieSs If Virginia in arnasla thaNh