The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1864-01-13

/ tiOliSt diIloeb uteAaUlplCG, the enemy dld not
hesitate, III addition to retaining the prisoners
captured by them, to declare null the paroles
given to the prisoners captured by US in the same
series OF engagements, and liberated on condition
/ OF not again serving until exchanged They
have since openly insisted on treating the paroles
gwen by Their own soldiers as invalid, and those
i or cur soldiers, given under precisely similar
/ circumstances, as binding. \ succession or
similar unjust pTetensions has been set up in a
correspondence tediously prolonged, and every
device employed, to cover the disregard OF an
obligation which, between belligerent nations IS
only TO be enforced by a sense Of honor.
| No further comment is needed or this subject,
but may be permitted to direct your special at
! tention to the close OF the correspondence sub
mitted to you from which YOU Will perceive tina.
the final proposal made by the enemy, in settle
nlent OF all disputes under the cartel, IS that we
should iberate all prisoners held by US, without
the offer to release from captivity any Of those
held by them.
! In The meantime systematic and concerted
effort has been made 10 quiet the complaints in
! the United States Of those relatives and friends
OF the prisoners in our hands Nno are unable to
understand why the cartel is not executed in
their favor, BY the rr0undleSs assertions that we
! are the parties who refuse compliance. Attempts
are also made to shield themselves from the ex-
eCratlon excited by their own odiOus treatment
/ ct our officers aud soldiers now captive in their
! hands by Measurements, such as that the priso-
/ ners held by us are deprived CT food. TO tais
| last accusation the conclusive answer has been
made, that, in accordance with cur law and tho
/ general orders Of the department, the rations of
the prisoners are precisely the same in quantity
! and quality, as those served out to our own gal
/ liant soldiers in the field, and which have been
found sufficient to support them in their arduous
campaign, while it is not pretended by the enemy
that they treat prisoners by the same generous
rule. BY an indulgence unprecedented, we have
even allowed the prisoners III our hands to be
supplied by their friends at home with comforts
not enjoyed by the men who captured them in
battle In contrast to this treatment, the most
revolving inhumanity has characterised the con-
duct OF the United States towards prisoners held
! by them.
prominentfact, which admits no denial nor
palliation, must suffice as test. The officers Of
our army, natives fsouthern and Semi-trophcal
climates, and unprepared for the cold of q north
ern winter, have been conveyed, for imprison-
ment, during the rigors of the present season, to
the most northern and exposed 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 northern lakes, they are held by men who
cannot be ignorant Of, even if they do not design
the probable result. How many of our unfortu-
nate friends and comrades, who have passed I'M
! scathed through numerous battles will perish on
/ Johns0n's island, under the cruel trial to which
! they are subjected, none but the omniscient can
foreten. That they Will endure this barbarous
treatment with the same stern fortitude that they
have ever eyInced in their cOuntry's service, we
cannot doubt. But who can be found to believe
the assertion that it is refusal to execute the
cartel, and not the mahgnity Of the foe, which
has caused the iniiction Of such intolerable cru
city on our own loved and honored defenders?
Regular and punctual communication with the
trans Mississippi is so obstructed as to render
difficult a compliance with much Of the legisla-
ton yesting authority in the executive branch
of the government. TO supply vacancies IN Of
fee; to exercise discretion on certain matters
connected with the military organisations; to
control the distribution If funds collected from
taxation or RENTED from the treasury; to carry
: on the operations of the posi- office department,
and other like duties, require, under the consti-
tuition and existing laws the action OF the presl-
: dent and heads of departments. Ghe necessi-
ties of the military service frequently forbid de-
lay, and some legislation is required, providing
{ for the exercise of temporary authority, until
: regular action can De had at the seat of govern
c ment. | would suggest, especially in the post
Office department, that an assistant be provided
J for the States beyond the Mississippi with au-
: thority in the head ofthat department to vest in
this assistant al such powers now exercised by
0 the postmaster general, as may DC requisite for
d provisional control of the funds of the depart
e mentin those States, and their application to the
h payment OF mail contractors; for superntend-
T ence Of the local post offices, and the contracts
d for carrying the mail; for the temporary employ
5 ment Of proper persons to fulfill the duties Of
postmasters and contractors in urgent cases, un-
t. til appointments can be made and for other like
e purposes. Without some legislative provision
il on the subject, there IS Serl0us risk OF the deS-
e tructon OF the mail service, by OF the de-
:, lays and hardships suffered by contractors un-
a der the present system, which requires constant
sc reference to Richmond of their accounts as well
as Of the returns Of the local postmasters, before
J. they can receive payment for services rendered.
Like provision is also necessary in the treasury
r department; while, for military affairs it would
If seem to be sufficient to authorize the president
IS and secretary Of war to delegate to the com
n handing general so much Of the discretionary
c powers vested ii them by law as the exigencies
e. of the service shall require.
a The report of the secretary OF the navy gives
d. in detail Interpretations of that department since
January last, embracing information OF the dis
g position and employment Of the vessels officers
Of and men, and the construction OF vessels at
Of Richmond, Wilmington Charleston, Savannah,
to Mobile, Selma, and on the rivers Roanoke,
OF Neuse, Pedee Chattahoochee and Tombigbee
n the accumulation Of ship timber and supplies,
Of and the manufacture OF ordnance, ordnance
i'll stores and equipments. The foundfies and work
re shops have been greatly improved, and Their ca
is pacitv to supply all demands for heavy ordnance
&c for coast and harbOr deiences is only limited by
be cur deficiency in the requisite skilled labor
The want Of such labor and Of seamen seriously
IN affects the operations of the department.
It; The skill, courage, and activity Of our cruisers
as at sea cannot be TOO highly commended. They
e, have Inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, with
out suffering a single disaster, and have serious
e ly damaged The shipping interests Of the Unitet
ey States, bycompelling their foreign commerce tt
Of seek the protection ofneutral Tags.
be Tour attention is invited to the suggestions 0
ge The report on the subjects Of supplying seamel
nd for the service and OF the provisions OF the la7
on in relation 10 the volunteer navy.
he The postmaster general reports the receipts Q
tes that department for the fiscal year ending tn
Ct goth June last 20 have been So ,337 S53 OIL, an
Of the expenditures for the period 81 662, SO
of 67. The statement thus exhibits an increase c