Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-05-10

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that the use of the credit of the Goyernmer
should be restricted to the TWO other mode
/ provided by Congress, viz the sale of bonds an
the issue of certificates bearing interest, for th
fprice of supplies purchased within our limits
/ The law, as itsnow stands, authorizes the issu
/ by the Treasury +of new notes to the extent {
itwo-thirds of the amount. received under il
provisions. The estimate of the amount funde
under the law, is shown to be $500, 1000, 900, an
| if two thirds of this sum be re~issued, we sha
have an addition of $500, 100000, to our circu
tlaeon, believed to be already ample for the bu
siness of the country. The addition of thi
large sum to the volume of the currency would
be attended by disastrous effects, ana wouls
produce the speedy recurrence of tie evils from
which the funding law has rescued the coun
try. II our arms are crowned with the success
which we have SO much reason to hope, w,
may well expect that this war cannot be pro-
longed beyond the current year, and nothing
would 80 much retard the benefcent influence
of peace on all the interestes of our country, as
the existence OF a great mass of currency not
redeemable in coin. With ourYast resources the
circulation, if restricted to its present volume,
would be easily manageable, and by gradual ab-
sorption in payment of public dues, would
give place to the precious metals, the only basis
oh a currency adapted to Commerce with for
eign countries. In our present circumstances |
know of no mode of providing for the public
wants which would entail sacrifices so great as
fresh issue of treasury notes, and ] trust that
you will concur in the propriety of absolutely
forbiddiDg any increase of those now in circula-
ton. %
Officers have been appointed and despatched
to The Prans>M Mississippi States, and the neces-
car "a bon, fI,o
laws, enacted to obviate delays in administers
ing the Treasury and other Executive Depart
ments in those States; but sufficient time has
not elapsed TO ascertain the results.
In relation to the most important of all subs
jects at the present time, the efficiency of onr
armies in the field, it is gratifying to assure you
that the discipline and instruction of the troops
have kept pace with the improvement in ma
terial and equipment. We have reason to con-
grataiate ourselves on the results of the legisla
tionson this subject, and on the increased adj
minlstrative energy in the different bureaux of
the War Department, and may not unreasonably
indulge anticipations of commensurate success
in the ensuing campaign.
The organization of reserves is in progress,
and it is hoped they viii be valuable in affor-
ding local protection, without requiring details
and detachments from active force.
Among the recommendations contained In
The report of the Secretary Of War, your attens
ton is specially invited to those in which legis-
lation is suggested on the following subjects,
viz; e
The tenure of Office of the general officers
IN the provisional army, and proper diseriIni-I
nation il the compensation Of the different
grades;
The provision required in aid of invalid off, |
Ger who have resigned in consequence of
wounds or sickness contracted while in service
The amendment OF the law which depriVes Of /
icefs in the field ofthe privilege of purchasing /
rations, and thus adds to their embarrassment,
instead of canssrring the benefit intended
The organization Of the general staff of thet
army, in relation to which special message
will shortly be addressed to you, containing the |
reasons which compelled me to withhold my t
approval of bill passed by your predecessors
1t too late period of the session to allow time
for eturning it for their reconsideration;
The necessity for an increase in the allow |
ance now made for the transportation Of off, |
GERS travelling under orders
The mode Of providing officers for the execu-
ion Of the eonscript laws
The means OF securing greater dispatch and |
more regular administration of Justice in exams
Mug and disposing of the records of cases re-
ported from the courts martial and military
courts in the army.
The recent eyente of the war are highly cred~
table to our troops, exhibiting energy and vigi-
anoe, combined with the habitual gallantry
Ehioh they have taught Us to expect on all oe-
,aeiens Wehaye been eleered by important
Ind valuable successes 10 Florida, Northern |
Mississi ippi, Western Tennessee and Kentucky, |
Western Louisiana and Eastern North Carolina
'efecting the highest honor on the skill and
,onduet ofouF commanders, and on the incom-j
parable soldiers whom it is their privilege 10 /
cad. A naval attack on Mobile was so sue
sessfully repulsed ct the outer works that The |
attempt was abandoned, and the months |
ege Of Charleston has been practically suspend |
d, leaving that noble city aRdits fortress inn |
3ershable monuments to the skill and forttude |
II its defenders. The armies in Northern Geor-
,ia and in Northern Virginia still oppose, with |
lnshaken front, q formidable barrier to the pro-
gress of the invader and cur generals, armies
md people are animated by cheerful confidence
Let US, then, while resolute in devoting alls /
to securing the realization of the |
bright auspices which encourage us, not forget
hat our humble and most .greatefnl thanks are
iue to Him, without whose guidance and pro
.ecting care ell human efforts are of no avail, |
md to whose interposition ere due the mani
old successes, with which we have been cheer
ia. JEFFERSON DAVIS.
RIoHMoSp, May 2, 1864
! SAILING SgIEs.-0t a truth, Providence |
smiles upon the Confederate cause. For nearly
six months past we have had series of victo- !
RES, greataBd small, with scarcely single re-
verse; and as time wears on our successes sap-
pear to be crowding to elimination. The |
papers of yesterday were filed with good news
from all quarters of the compass. Victories IN
Louisiana and Arkansas the Yankees routed
rear Vicksburg, and their Government planta-
tions broken uS& gunboats and transports on
the Red river blown up by the enemy 70 pre-
vent them from falling into our hands the en-
envy foiled at Tunnel Hill; Washington, in North
Carolina evacuated; the L9usianians in Mobile
firing safnte in honor Of Gen, Taylors victory;
millions of pounds of bacon and immense stores !
nd arrived