Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-03-29

tn rebel Congressional Committee who
recently wrote long review of JEFF. Da-
Vis's late berating and scoldiDg message to
them contains some very briary sod prickIy
points. Davis complained that they de:
layed adopting the policy of srming the
slaves. They reminded him that in his
message in November be expressly said
that he did not deem it desirable to en-
ploy negroes in the army except as pioneer
and engineer lsborers, and that he dissent
ed from those who advised general levy
and arming of the slaves. At what time
he changed his mind on the subject they
are not informed On the 29th of Decem-
Der they asked him for full Information
concerning the state Of public affairs. he
not only then did not hint to them that he
Was in favor of armiDg the negroes, but
never gave any answer at all to the request.
With cutting sharpness they suggest to
him, that Influenced no doubt by the
opinion of Gen. Lee" Congress determined
on it's policy of arming the slaves, aud
moreover adopted some measures not sug-
gested by him. such as the creation Of Gen
srqE N. Chief. Gould anything bsnore deli
cstely impudent than that, considering that
Davis did not want such an Office to be
created, bat wished himself to retain su-
preme command of the armies
Davis asked for general militia law,
which should sweep the whole arms. bear
ing population into the militia. They state
frankly that "the whole military material
of the country; SO far as legislation is con-
cerned, is absorbed by the CONSUMPTION
acts. There is none left on which a militia
law can operate, except the exempted clas-
ses, and the boys under seventeen and the
men over fifty years of age" That is q con-
fession that the whole military power Of
the confederacy has already been drawn
out. ..,..
Davis asked that supplies for the army
should be impressed and taken at their
specie value. The Committee give him to
understand that in their opinion such a
course would result in a general conceal
ment of provisions and the consequent star
walton of the army.
Davis complained that the financial
measures were wholly inadequate to the
needs of the treasury. The Committee re-
ply that they abandoned without regret the
bill submitted by the Secretary of the Treas-
ury, because they learned that the arrears
of public debt exceeded by nearly four hun.
dred millions of dollars the amount origi.
ually reported by that officer. Nothing
could be done.
The report closes as follows:
Nothing is more desirable than concord
and cordial co operation between all de-
Partments of government. Hence your
Committee regret that the Executive deem
ed it necessary to transmit to Congress q
message 80 we'll calculated to excite dis.
cord and dissension. Bot for the fact tha
the success of the great struggle in which
the country is now engaged, depends al
much on the confidence of the people II
the Legislative as in the Executive Depart,
ments of the Government, the message
would have been received without com
ment Your Committee would have pre
terred silence. 1t has been induced to al
opposite course, because they believe Con
gress would be derelict in lite duty to per
nit it's legitimate aud constitutional infl u
ence to be destroyed by Executive admoui
tions such as those contained in the mes
age under consideration, without some pub
lie exposition of its conduct.