Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-11-25
MESSAGE OF GOV. VANCE,
Gentlemen of the Senate

Gentlemen of the Senate
'- and House of Commons:
Two years ago issued my first message to the Gene
raj Assembly of North Carolina amid the stirring scenes
vocation of the peoples rejoicing IN TIE
grateful prospect of and Independence Ihat nope
like most of the shortsghted desires of man God has not
seen proper to realize. Alter two years "t
fierce and consuming war; waged with all energies,
and attended with all its iuseparable caamtes, social
political and physical, gentlemen, but 10
continue those arduous abs which bore heavily upon
your predec. and myself Whatever may be the re-
suit can but hope that cooperation ay be sin
cere and tempered with much orbearance. proceed
then give YOU statement OF the condition al
affairs and to suggest suca remedies for whatever
may be wrong my observations AID experience may
have enabled me to recommend.
With sincere gratitude 10 the Gver Of all good, an
n"unee that the crops oil the past ason were very '
and in localities excellent. outstanding pr
sl failures of the crop here and there it Is est-
mated that there is ample supply OF the SAT- a" life
prevent only starvation but actual sui
terrg, ii it be placed within tie reach of the poor.
Since the adjournment of predecessors, the enemy
have eucroached upon territory except by the
recapture of she OF Plymou h, and the consequent
evacuation of ashngtOn greatly to be deplorCd
The border is however subject constant reids
and the situation of the Inhabitants distressing in the
extreme. Murder by aweSs men, many of them our
citizens acting pretending to act under commission
from the enemy, swain from the mountain frontier;
nurderug burning and destroying. Totally regardless
of the laws of civilization they have inaugurated
tenn of cruelty at which humanity shudders. bave
written to Gen. Breckinridge and urged him to take
such steps may be in his to stop such proceed
ngs, but do not ret know what may be the result Nor
is the interior of the State entirely free from the disor
ders naturally be expected from state of continued
DeserteTs representing almost every State In the
Confederacy inest the swamps and mountains of many
counties; stealing plunderng and in many instances
numbering the Inhabitants. In some places they muster
III such force almost amount to pension OF the
civil authority, aided and protected they are by their
relations and friends. All of nv efforts to abate the
nuisance by offers of pardon having proved rutleSs
remedy for the evil but outlaw them, and drive
them from the State by the strong hand. If my 1trhl
the Militia for this purpose were unrestrained,
am confident would easily rid the community OF this
pest. also recommend that the law against harborng,
aiding and shelterng desertOn, be amended to ia
citate the mekng of the proof required to convict and
that it be made the duty of all CIVIL we'll military
officers to assist in their arrest under such penalties
will enforce obedience Too much importance cannot
well be attached to this subject since it has become not
only of great moment to the well being of army but
also to the security of society and the execution of the
law.
feel quite ashamed also to add that number of the
Home Guard in Certain interior counties, holding both
civil and military Offices actuated either bytreason
cowardice perhaps both have recently deserted and
Ned to the enemy earnestly recommend that take
such steps for the punishment Of such crime by consca
ton otherwise may deter others from such coward
ly and degrading treason There shnud be tri-
fling in tbs matter. Those who seek the aid of
mics should share the of enemies The blood of
dead heroes well the living, who carry their lives
their hand very day. demand that the punshm mt award
ed By all civilized communities to should neted
out to If there is be punishment for this
quietly suffer treason to attain greater immu-
nifty from dangers and hsrdhiPs than patriotism may
expect the cause to perish.
regret say that the blockade running operations
the State pretty well stopped. The regulations i'm
posed by the Confederate Government in defiance as
think of the Of Congress to which have heretofore
adveTted, have operated injurOusly to compel
IN measure to withdraw our vessels from the trade AT
ter Losses by detentos the surrender of cargo spece
of not less than two humid Ell dollars in gold regret al
so to have to announce the loss of the Steamer AdUonce
during the month of September This NOBLE vessel the
pride of the State and beDeacor soldiers
P was captured b. the enGny after she had successfully
made her way through the blockade squadron consc-
quence OF the seizure OF her foreign coal for the of the
cruiser 1GndhdSsee, compelling her to put to with
North Carolina This being unsuted her furna-
ces and machinery rendered her incapable of making
more than half her usual speed, and left behind her
dense volume of black smoke by which she was easily
followed and captured. So obvisy her loss attrbu-
table to unwaane seizure of her coal that trust you
Will memoraize for compensation The unwise policy of
making our only Iematnng seaport for cruz
sers cannot be too strongly condemned has Doubled
stfgency OF the blockade has already caused the loss
many valuable steamers and will ultimately provoke the
utmost efforts OF the enemy capture Wilmington. 1t
no to say that the Advance alone in sod
Deheuts mas been worth to government than all
the cruisers we have put aoat. Why it should be
the policy OF our government to compel the State to quit
me Importation OF supplies for the benefits and
lhen pursue course with armed vessels well cal
Gulated TO crush all whatsoever is to me in
expicaby strange. These cruisers sally forth with the
coal seized from steamers engaged in bringing us supplies
OF vital Importance thus ensuring their capture destroy
lew Insignificant smacks which only to irritate
me enemy and then steam back into Wilmington seize
more COAL bringing down upon the inlets new swarm
OF the enemy's gunboas.
Where our supply Of shoes is to come from t6is win
Ter Q" not know. have abundant supply at the Is
Lds put have now no means of getting them in trust
again instruct our representatives in Congress
10 a. ior repeal OF these regulations This DONE our
remaining Steamers could bring in the many Yalua.
Die supplies We have bought abroad The act of Con-
sress authorizing the President to impose regulations
upon commerce expressly provides "that nothing herein
contained shall be construed prohibit the Confed
crate states or of them FROM exporting any of said
articles on their accounts" What policy so urrentIv
requiring the States to be fOrcedby executive construc
non out OF the benefit of this provsO influences our
eminent, have not been able to learn Tee construc
u01ls that II State the vessel out and cut tbs
snail not be imposed, but if she owns a part
merely charters the entire vessel for the voyage then
rue halt her cargo space to the govern
aene' ana give the pond to return. &C. The allegation
that private ships should not be allowed tn escane
sdetnS oy seLhnG part interest tothe State is only
sPecious MY application TO the late Secretary of the
Treasury, disclosing the interest of the State in
he Collie line OF steamers and asking only IN have
'hterest exempted was peremptoriIy refused fl srems
10 me, therefore, in the absence of any sod r
ne action of the governmot that wisdom and true mol
ICY demand the repeal of the laws authorizing the i'm
PSons OF these regulations and that every nossib in
nucemrnt should be held the States to exchange
G great staples for supplies for the common benefit
hnately OF clothing and blankets we still have an
danee iull exhibit of our operations in the Quar-
ermS:ers Department, including this .ubect will be
IN the report of Adjt Gen. Gatn which pdes bera
20 WIN, ana which commend to your Consideration
From tHIs II will be that not onlv have the
oeen supplied with indispensable articles
without loss, Tut with actual profit the State nv
withdrawing the fears of some to the CONTRARY
not been op ~ 70 make money, but to supply the me-