Year: 1861

ing in their sovereign capacity, and in
the exercise o! an inalenable right, have
in the most solemn and deliberate man.
ner, dissolved their connection with the
government of the United States. by the
adoption Of the Provisional Constitution OF
the Confederate States of America, have
made Tennessee member Of that Gov
rnment.


pause in the midst of the afduous
duties which devolve upon me, to con-
gratulate you and the country upon the
near approach 10 unanimity and the readi-
ness with which the brave and patriotic
| people of our proud Commonwealth have
severed their connection with a Govern.
ment endeared to them by SO many re-
collections. and to which they had been
so long attached, but which had been
long subverted by gross usurpations, and
| converted into an engine of oppression
| destructive of their rights, liberties, and
T equality, and which, in the mere wanton-
ness of its boasted power, demands that
these Inaliable attributes of fIeemen shall
be promptly, nay, basely, surrendered or
maintained at the point of the bayonet.
Those who have read and comprehend
ed the patriotic devotion of our people to
the eternal principles of justice, equality
and right; their native love of independ-
ence; and their chivalrous deeds in de.
fence of their principles, as shown by the
whole history of the State; could not have
doubted as to the position that Tennes-
see would occupy upon the presentation
of such an issue.


While it is to me a source of regret that
entire unanimity was not attained ut the
ballot box, in the decision of vitality i'm.
rfa, md nypifinp
to, | have entire confidence that now, the
deliberate and impartial judgment of the
overwhelming majority of the people of
the State having been recorded, the whole
people, forgetting these differences of
opinion, however earnestly and honestly
entertained, will stand together as one
man in maintaining the rights, honor and
dignity of Tennessee, and in preserving
the domestic tranquility of the communi-
ty. The time for crimination and recrim-
ination has passed. Threatened by a
common enemy-imperilled by COM
mon danger-bound together by ties
which cannot be severed-we are identic-
al in interest-we must be so in action.


The State of Tennessee, cooperating
with her sister States Of the South, has
been compelled to take up arms in de-
fence of rights she could not surrender.
10 this war, thus forced upon us, there
can be but two sides. cannot believe
that there is any portion of our people
who will espouse the cause OF the enemies
of Tennessee, or be indifferent spectators
to the contest.


Impartial history will attest that no free
people. jealous of their rights, have been
more observant of their constitutional
duties, or more loyal to their Government.
-Exacting no peculiar privileges for them
selves, they have at all times been ready
to acknowledge and maintain the rights
of others. In times OF common peril they
have stood firm, and contributed their
full proportion of talent, both to the
Cabinet and the field; and now that we
have exhausted the last remedy-have
made the last appeal to the reason and
justice of those who would oppress us
and have been driven to the necessity of
taking our rights into our own hands, and
defying the power that assails them there
certainly cannot be any part of our people
who will not spurn the usurper rand tyrant,
and resist him to the last extremity.


In the midst Of the gloom and priva-
tiops necessarily incidental to state Of
war, let us console ourselves with the re
Election that we occupy the same relation
to posterity that our foreiathers Of the
first revolution occupied to US.


They enjoyed the glorious privilege of
establishing the great principle which
secured to us civil and religious liberty
and political equality.


While it is our privilege and solemn
duty to maintain and tansmit to posteri-
ty the same great principle unimpaired.
The spirit and determination manifest
ed by the people of the whole South to
maintain this principle against the tyran-
ny OF usurpation, gives the highest and
most cheering assurance that America
will still be the abiding place Of self-gov-
ernment and free institutions, and proves
the truth of the long disputed theory OF
our fathers, that brave and enlightened
people, educated in the doctrine of indi-
vidual and State equality are capable,
and of right ought to govern themselves.
In the midst OF Federal revolution, per-
feet order has been preserved in our State
governments, in the moment of dissolv-
| ing our former federal fabric, another
new, and of perfect and enduring proper
tons is reared, leaving us at no time
without the full benefit of Government,
or the security OF laws.


The new relations which we have as
sumed in becoming u part of the Provis
ional Government of the Confederate
States, imposes the necessity of some adj
| dtional legislation. ] therefore cheerfully
submit to your consideration all questions
pertaining to our federal relations fol
such legislation as may be necessary to us
as palt OF that Government.


There has been for many years a stat
ute in the State defining the crime of trea
son, and prescribing the punishment.


/ respectfully recommend that yor
amend the law to the extent of striking
out the words "United States where they
occur and insert in lieu of them Coafea
crate States.


Under the provisions of an act of 1852
the principal and interest of the interna
improvement bonds of the State are made
payable in the city of New York


1t will be impossible to pay the interes
aacruihg, at that point, during the con
tinuance OF the war.


recommend that you SO amend th'
law referred to, as TO require the pay men
at the Bank of Tennessee at Nashville, o
at Charleston or New Orleans, of all sum
which may become due from the State Il
the people of all governments which ar
on terms of peace and friendship with us
who are and were previous to the com
mencement of the war bona fde owners o
our bonds, and that you adopt such polio
towards the owners aud holders OF ou
bonds. who are citizens of the States
war with us, as is recognized and justitie'
by the law of nations regulating their in
tercourse as belligerents.


The ordeal through which the countr
is now passing necessary prostrates tn
, trade and commerce of the country, ant
deranges the currency to greater or les
extent. Such legislation as will ltend to Sc
cure uniform currency throughout tn
? Confederate States is OF the highest in
portance. l therefore submit the questio
to your consideration for such action a