Newspapers / The Greensboro Patriot (Greensboro, … / Dec. 17, 1863, edition 1 / Page 1
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v.. THE ' GREENSBORO W II II kl II Ml ill,1lll II ' J - " - , - Volume XXV. eREESBOBQUGKH, 3ST. Q DECEMBER 17, 1863. FREglDKST'H MESSAGE. ;o!cirDiD. Wt in Ortoher of the m year, Earl Russell en- tertitinel the complaint r.f the United Stales Miuis tr in f.ntvlon. that the Confederate Slates were im- h.sion to principles that vi approve, Let ear b ope j throe of them, 8outh Carolina, Mississippi and Te for redress rest rather on a returning sense of ju- ( as, were the taxes actually collected from the people, ties which cannot fail to awaken a great people to.t Theqoota devolving upon tha remaining State had I the consciousness, that the war in which we are en- ,' teen raised by the issue of bond and Sute Treaa I geeed ought rathar to be made a reason for forbear j ury notea, and tie publio debt of the country was i ..ri,i.nte. than an occasion for the unfriend- ! thus actually increased instead of being diminished j rf io jr coifraban I t war from the island f Nassau, j 0nduct of whiab we make just complaint. by the taxation imposed by Congress. dirrrtH inquiry iM the matter and obtained a re-j The events of the last year have produced impor- Neither at the first nor second session of the pres- r tac isiaou uonying me ttn,jchanges inftbe condition of our Southern neign- ; tuvuri.Hi provioea nj taxation for i a1a..I in Mr i . 1 ; vf.i Kr ! maintaining the rovernrnmL tl loiiUii.. k-. I .rt lioiii tii ut h "Til le lleiti.n whL-fi renort was enclosed to Mr Adam, and received by him at fttiifactorv evi dence to dUsipa'e " th suspicion naturally thrown upon th nnfhori?i of Nassau by that unwarranta M net." Su, too. when the I'onfeJerate Govern ment Jim h I in tirrat P-ri'ain ai a neutral coun try, (und with strict observance both of the law of naf i.r. . I trie tnunicip.il lw rf Great Ilritain.) vrr which wrrf M.beo.'inlly arnicd and com iniiiri"l a ve,, ! if war, after they had been far tia-.. from Kniiih w iters, the Hritish Oovern iii' n (n violation of it own laws and indeferenoo to tl.i" iiiirMriuiiat letuaiidt of he United States made i rt ini-.'fVriu il .'tempt to rit one essel, and did uc'.rtl.y unt Ii4ii, another which touched at t hi tl ki J i.f N-4ii. ' n her way to a Confederal p. airl "i.bjwfr I hi r an unfounded proa-tu-ti n ' th t ry tin, when rargoe at munitions of 41 ni'ir '.'itij: puily ' 1 from British port to Nfw Y'irk. to hr in wrtare (ririt as. Kten n ,-. ' I ,iM,.- 't . iririli btine intrllip;f nee that the bar. The occupation of the c apital or Mexico oy the Kreuch army, and the establishment of a pio inional (toTernment followed by a radical change in the constitution of the country, hare excited litely interests. Although preferring our own govern ment and institutions to those of other countries. w ran hate no disposition to contest the exercise by them of the same right of lelf-gOTcrnment which we asscrj for urselTes. If the Mexican people pre fer a monarchy to a republic it n our plain uuij main uu v kvto.uiucuw VBa ICVlSiailOB bn confined to authorising further salsa of bonds and issues of treasury notes. Although repeated efforts were made to frame a proper sytem of taxation, you were confronted with an obstacle which did not exist for your predecessors, and which created grave embarrassment in devising any scheme of taxation. About two-thirds of the entire taxable property of the Confederate SUies consist of lands and slaves. The general power of taxation Tee ted in Congress this Uwpomjr dutrihtitio. of wprestnUtire powr ! by 1 l to sjkduro tst mo v.,. v . V 7J 1 w uwuc Number 1,280. aw. cheerfully to acquieece In their deci-ioo, and to y the provisional Constitution (which was to be Cllfi- i .r 1 1 iii p., i r ,r ' !i 1.1 (, : i ' irntiient In- nrderi'd the eiiure, in a fim,. lk.iI i,n th ut,irinn that ,-fit - ! 1 t. t it 1 tiovernmer I, and ih.it th.-v tu.iv In- hiTi-ifter si med and eiuiired in Ht "erviri", lnle l!riih subjects are engaged in In I ii . l.y ti i,i : ih')u:m I to proceed to tLc t'ni te I vir. f,,r warfare nj;nint the Confederacy, in dti itiff h'.'h (,f t!:r 1 s "i nitions and of the ex prr trrfiis ..f il,. Mntih istutc. and sre transpor ted if K 1 1 i 1 1 hij i, with. Mil an effort at conceal t ii r ' . ii, ,, j .,rf -i of the I'nife.l States, there to be nr. i," I i'Ii rirt' imp arled from Great Britain au l . i . rinpl yd nnint nur people inn warl'.rcon-'(ii."-' .No r"yal preroativ i invoked, no execu-tii- ii.trrfi ri-nc e i" iiit-r.oed ignibnt this flagrant hie irh nl timfiirip il nri t intirnationnl law, on the I ir' nf .ur i rn inn, w.ili" rrnined constructions it.- plj., (in k it irig vtatiitt'H, new enactments jf p..r I, uti l tUi-"ti.nable rxpedierfts devised for prt-' Iiidin the p'iibi!ity of purchabe, by thic fiov-eriirni-nt nt vi-s-i.1 tint are ti-rov for tielligerent P'irp..4in, mile- lii-reufter armrd and etittipped out i.f.' i t the nriitra! juri-. lietion of (Jreat Britain. K'T ii .it : v ihriT ) r thi jjovi rnment has exer i". 'I nt ijiii , i n I jiinidi. tion orrr niany Tnil'ions f w.M.iijf nn l unifi-l If. It In met and ife f iriuir n invaders, who have in vain ... , . .it . i s. ...kMi- " - ii t, v'r- n.ri Mippurten ny me conuueucc nift .'t',.!fni nt' ritizen, the Confederacy has I i' k"l ir. 'i-men which i!it injfiiished an indepen dii,' t. iii-ti. iiccif ding to tiie principles of public !.w II- lfril.it ivc, I'tci-u! iva n:id judicial depart tin'iit", i-hcIi in jt pherr, h.ive parformed their ap pmpii'i'i luni't inns uith a regularity as undisturb ed us in timi'S f,f proK.und peace, aad the whole efii-rnrs nf th" pfopK' have bi-en developed in the rif ii.i iiinn of m: arniica, while i heir rights and lil'. r'n t luiv resifl riur niiJir the protection of .nri i.t jnvt.rr. 1 Im ( onfederacy is cither p"t I' t t. .r it rt dvpeudrncy of the United r i,.i i.'h.T arthlv power claims the right one historic fuct on whirh without 01. e line or wind of ih M if t f .. i;..i i rn i' W il h'Mlt ' hi' pri-'riiiion i'hij r "f 'feilv hi vir::tiit iiit"l hive 'i": ii,i"it h is rlinTti w Inch csn give color or title the ii-srrti'i!, nnd uie Rntisii gov to c.inrcdc. that these sove- rei'ii M 1 1 1 1 1 1 lllifl till PIFl I'l" ri Cii -ii ti i 1 1 1 1 ' . i i-f hill intri rirr d j endenri'-s of the government i" n lriitii"rrrd ! VV aihidirt'jn. tireat Hri- '' r litily i ritertiiim 1 wi:h that govern In .sr nr. I tniMt iniimiUo relations, whilo "ri its .'iinand, ordinary amicable inter wi ll '- , ui, I h:ii, in, b r arrangrmcuts made f Kurope, not only denied our inn into the family of nations "''.r ii.ifiori I'imm i.l .I'lini linn p.. , I a p't"iTi, tliuiijjh effectual bsr, to the i w ' l(.'mii of i n r lights by other powers. ii. is i Ii i. i liiTomi' iijipursnt, by the dcclara - I t h'- I'.r.t .eli Ministers, in the debates of th -I I'nliti i M m .Inly ltt, that ller aW'ly .i . i . i - i ,1. y vthicn. iii.'itr j.rou siuun v. l ir. .Hie hu I fivt I tiirmi 1 1 v a' in V. .1 (I. I-I lp n'r.i lit liMI i - .net . tit . . i 1 . ' V 111 111! I'll. I'' " , l.vei to tue aesigns m,, d..: j to rec til the t om creditt.l to I hut court, ami evince a sincere and friendly interest in their pros perity. If, however, the Mexicans prefer maintain ing their former institutions we have no reason to apprehend any obstacle to tire free exercise of their choieo. The Kmperor of the French has solemnly disclaimed any purpose to impose on Mexico a form of government not acceptable to the nation; and the eminent penon to whom the throne has been tendered, declines its acceptance, unlets the offer I be sanctioned by the suffrages of the people. In either event, therefore, we may confiden'ly expect the continuance of those peaceful relations which have been maintained on the frontier, and eveu i large development of the commerce already existing to ike mutual advantage of the two countries It has been found necessary tdnce your adjourn ment to take action on the eubjee'. of certoiu foreign consuls within the Confederacy. The nature of thin action and the reasons on which it was based are so fully exhibited in the correspondence of tie State Department which is transmitted to you, that bo ad ditional comment is required. In connection with this subject of our relations with foceign countries it is deemed opportune to communicate my views in reference to the treaties made by the government of the United States at a date and prior to our epnration, and which were consequently binding on us as well as on foreign powers when the tepnratioti took effect. It was partly w.th a view to entering into such nrranjte ments as the change in our government had made necessary that we felt it our duty to send cornmis siouers abroad, for the purpose of entering into the negotiations proper to fJx the relative rights and obligations of tie parties to those treaties. As tliia tender on our part has been declined, as foreign ua tions have refused us the benefit of the treaties to which we were parties, they certainly have ceased to be binding on us, audio my opinion, our relations with European nations are, therefore, now controll ed exclusively by the general rules of the law of na tions. It is proper to add that these remarks are intended to apply solely to treaty obligations to wards foreign governments, and have no reference to rights of individuals. riNAJICE8. i ii 1 1 I :i l.'ip ,ii I lie ' it jccl is submitted ts f ,s ,i,,. t . ou in,! to our touutry that this I " i .it tpi ut eh'.uld beii .ilu of the just giounds . .i .. .. i . i t tor i-.tli",.i lietl wnu i lie cunuuci oi Ii 1 1- .I P.. :t y i or ! run well awiiro that we p.ue retnc'iy iur me naii'l- wheu our tutire the defence id our lives. , flautist on enemy pos- ,u i i I'ti-t l-'l if rri.tiM'tlt i .i.a'e! ii ii'Ui ad: , i, n.1. i l,p h we lute MitTored at the w im t ..I t .i p.i: . ut .1 jut.cl tire e ' .ii nt' t I i d in ii r i ii' ! w i f .' ! ' m el , i'U -ii) "t i'.r Liitn'iers niatej ial re 1 urn. ii i.o li, iUiring no aid, con cur wn abiliry to . tli I lv lw- i; defend our own rijjh'.s. uttnoit i li nts of an inlnriute foe, we , i-d ii tp.i I'i'i jv.i; tut t, expect that a n n! l ,. witiihrid fiom our enemie.H, and mi. In. ' ( I. r-i c'i unions would be nurk ri'ime in. Mill ility be'ween the belliger I' i,f - ii t Mi'i'.ed that it Uofe.ed neutral , i i i oinli.eii' l u to ju.tify the Foic'mli r) i't i e rriti-h nation, iu explaining, iucor- wi'Ii our etienuei, how me tuipariiai it n. .it,.! .'bligitioiis by her Majesty's h is ti.ui l ee n exi ee lingly a lvalitage-e;iii-e i f the more powerful of the two IM I ' M V II. . .' . I ti 111. II ti ii. e . ,.,p. mi dinji . irti. -i ' l'he r.riiisli j;i.veniiiint may I.. i.i tin. war i la.or.il' i' (xctsioii for istablishing l. Up- leiiip.nitry teritic; of their neutral rights, a (.! i , e lent vil.i.-li ihnil jui't.fv the future exeaciscof I'.ee i vtieme Jiel i tereii' Ti-tciiior.s that their na val ), ier ru ler, i. loiiiii l thle The opportunity I't ..ht tilling the t i.-it .tM'tit of Kumpean goveru-in.i.t- in :i lii.n . i (..iiiduet which ignores the obli- . . .. .ii :. .I..-...L... . .ii' I III.' il.', I trai ions in inns, miu uvai mm i' i i i ll l .,1 r H n tn. I. 1 I pe v. tiier :i a theoretical exposition of Inn t 1'indiiiir reenient may be con i I j t lie 1 i it t m i i Ministry as justifying them k i f . r ;t reti a .mintage tor tneir own country .expeii-i- ..I' i iirs. Ltut we cannot permit, ,. iiott-:. ti e as.-orti.m that international law i.ili reg.ir.l .i Mnpartial neutrality" conruct I i -no linc-ty u itan'sgeous ' to one of ... v en tn - " iM .i.i:e i tii.it we f.-.e without adequate reme the ii. justice under which we suffer, .tie ! i: meusures that seem applicable to .M ill coiii. tioti of our relations with neutral One h, to mi la s the wrong of whic'i we ii i t ( i nn. t.i rcuhtt l.y Use tleclarauon of a paper . i- ..I the e.i tst ot thi. I nit d States, and lo i f. i i. it vciel tiading Willi thair portb i.i . i .imts can intercept on the higli seas ...e.i.uic k cannot recommend. It is true, that i sii.'iiol '. i.i fi'llow the precedents t' 'i I '.i i ti mid r'rancc in Uie I'.crlin and hi i. . i 'ui'i : lie i'.i iti-ti orders in council at 1 ...i ,u , r ti.. nseiit eruiury. Hut it mist i i n m we. on i selves, protested airainst i:..-u:-ei :ik signal viulfttiotit of tho law . an 1 .lecl. u el i:.e Kitetiijits to excuse : !: i ..im I ..f t :n ir being reiatliatory, ut ''' ;it I l.,.-e blockades are tiow iUoti! . I'lif.'n Uw .is n standing reproach on l li.ur.e , t if..' r.ifiotix who were betrayed ..i .r i ,- itsm. n ir.to wmr.g doirg, nud i ft. irde I ,riiier error to be avoided, i' x..liij !.i . .,'il..ij. ne o uot open ts this objection. l..e lieelaratioii of i'aris. which ' i, . r i. 1 ai ' ti.. v c j 1 1 The state of the public finances in such as to de mand your earliest and mot earnest attention I need hardly say that a prompt and efficacious rem edy for the present condition of the currency is nec essary fo the successful performance ol the functions of government. Fortunately, the resources ot our country are so ample, aud the spirit of our people to devote to it causo, that they are ready to make any necessary contribution. lielicf is thus entirely with in our reach if we have tto wisdom to legislate in such muera.i to render uvaiiable the means at onr disposal. M the commencement of tho wir we were far frots anticipating the magnitude and duration of the struggle in which we were r ngaged. The moat sa gacious foresight could not have predicted that the passions of the Northern people would lead them blindly to the sacrifice of lile treasure and liberty in so vain a hope as that of subiiwatin? thirteen in dependent States, inhabited by many millions of peo ple, whoie birtLriirht of c foTi ny the general government had created an aversion to its raising revenue by any other means than by duties on imports, and it was supposed that these duties would b ample iur current peace expendi tures, while the means for conducting the war could be raised almost exclu.ivcly by the use of the public credit. The first action ol the Trovisional Congress was therefore, confined to passing a tariff law and to raising a um of fifteen millions of dollar by loan with aplelge of small xj.ort duty of cotton to pro- i.ln fnr the rifen. ol inn ot the debt. e At its s.'cond fcejskm war was declared to exist between tLc Confederacy and Uuiled Slates and pro- vijion was made for the issue of twenty millions or dollars in treasury noti s and lor borrowing thirty millions Of dollars on bonds. Tiie tarili whs revised and preparatoty meuf-urea taken to enable the Con gres tb levy internal taxation at its succeeding se s.on. These laws were pa-sed in May and the Sta tes of Virginia, North Carolina Tennessee and Ar kansas hiving joined the Confederacy, tue 'ungrri a Ij iurned to meet in the city cf Hichmoud in the following month of -July. Trior to the aseeiubling of your predecessors in Richmond at their third seein, near the ei.d of du ly, iKtil, the l'rcsidtnt of the Uuiied Stales had iie vn'ored in his niessaif j the purpose " i make the con est a short and decifive one," and had called on Congress for l'Mt,tK;u men and i'onr hundred mil lione of doliars. Tho Congress had exceeded the Kxtcutive recommendation, aad had authorized the levy of half a millionof volunteers, bt si'les largely increasing the regular lar d and naval forces ot the United Mates. The necessity thus first became ur gent that a financial -cheme should be devised on a basis sufficiently large for the vast proportions of the contest witti which we were threatened. Know ing that the struggle instead cf being .-hort and decisive," would be indefinite jn dumtion, und could only end when tha United States should awaken from llieir delusion of conquest, a pei manent sys tem was required, fully adapted to the gte.it exi gencies before us. The plan devised by Congress at that time was based on the theoiy of issuing treasury notes con vertible at the pleasure of the holder into eiht per cent, bonds, the interest of which w5 to be paya ble in coin, and it was correctly ?sumed that any tendency to pepreciation that might arise from over issue of the currency, would be cliechad by the cou slant excrete of tno holder's i ight to fund the notes a; a liberal intenst, payable in specie. This sys tem deepnded for succession ou thecontinued ability ot government to pay the inteiebt in specie; and means were, therefore, provided for that purpose in the law authorizing the Usues. An internal tax termed a war tax, was levied, the proceeds of which, together with the revenue Iron imports, were deem ed sufficient for the object designed. This bCheme required far its operating that our commerce with foreign nations should not be suspended. It was not to he anticipated thit such suspension would be per mitted otuerniso than by nn effective blockade ; and it was absurd to suppose that a blockade "sufficient really to prevent access" to our entire coast, could bo maintained. We- had the means, therefore (if neutral nations had not combined to e.id our enemies by the sanction of an illegal prohibition on tneir commerce.) to ee- o--- - ' . cure the receipt him the Treasury of coin sutnciept to pay the interest on the honds. aud thus ma'.ntain the Treasury notes at rate uear'.y equal to par in pcit. Jo long as t lie interest continue.! to dc iuub only temporary in its operation,) was not restricted by any other condition than that "all duties, im ports and excises should be uniform throughout the States of the Confederacy.'' But the permanent Constitution sanctioning the principle thaviaxation and representation ought to rest on the same basis, specially provides that "representative and direct taxes shall be apportioned among tha several States according to their respective numbers, which rhall be determined bv addinir to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years and excluding Indians not taxed; three-fifth of all slaves." It was further ordered that a census should be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress, and that "no capitation or other di rect tax th all be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken. It is plain that under these provisions, capitation and direct taxes mustbe levied in proportion to the census when made. It is alicf plain that the duty is imposed on Congress to provide for making a census prior to the 22d Feburary, 1865. It maylurtherbe stated that according to the received construction of the Constitution of fhe United States, (a construc tion acquiesed in for upwards of sixty years.) taxes on lands and slaves are direct (axes, and the con clusion seems i.ecesarily to be that, in repeating, without modification, in our Constitution, this lan guage of tho Coastiiutionof 1787, our convention in tended to attach to it the meaning which had been sanctioned ly long and uninterrupted acquiescence. So long as there seemed to be a probability of being able to carry out these provisions of the Con Stilnliou io '.heir entiarly, and in conformity with the intentions of its authors, there was an obvious difficulty in framing any system of taxation. A law which should exempt from the burthen two-thirds of the property of the country would be as unfair to the owners of the remaining third as it would be in adequate to meet the requirements of the public service. The urgency .of the need was such, however, that, after very great embarrassment, and more than three months ol assiduous labor you succeeded in framing the law of the 24th April, 18G3, by which you sought to reach, so far as practicable, every resource ot the country except the capital invested in real estate and slaves, aud by means of an income tax and a tax in kind on the produce of the soil, as well as by li censes on business occupations and professions, to command resources sufficient for the wants of the country. Hut a very large proportion of these re sources could only be made available at the close of the present and the commencement ot the ensuing year, while the intervening exigencies permitted no deiay. In this state of affairs, superinduced almost unavoidably by the fortunes of the war in which we are engaged, the issues of treasury notes have been increased until the currency in circulation amounts to more than six hundred millions of dol lars, or more than threefold the amount required by the businees of the country. I need not enlarge upon the evil effects of this condition of things. They are unfortuLitely but inn ftfeMffient conduct ot the war, tne mot. de plorable of all its results is undoubtedly it corrupt ing influence on the morals ol the people. The pos session of large amounts of treasury notes has nat urally led to a desire for investment, an with a constantly increasing volume of currency iere has been an equally constant increase of prje in all objects of investment. This effect has Unulaled purchase by the apparent certainty of prt, and,a spirit of speculation has thus been fosterto which has so debasing an influence, and such ruinus con ssquences, that it is our highest duty to reave ihe i .1 : ai..I . n iK, I unit ',in K cause, anu no measures uiitu - i --' too prompt or too stringent. Reversing to the constitutional provision! ;ready cited, the question recurs whether it be pot&le to execute ;he duty of apportioning taxation iaiccor dar.ee with the census ordered to be maJe ai s asis. So long as this appeared to be practicable, no- can deny the propriety of your course in abstainlnfrnm the'imposition in direct taxes till you could ta-cise the power in the precike mode pointed out b the terms of the fundamental law. But it is Pious that there are many duties imposed by the tisli tution, which depend for their fulfillment on t un disturbed possession of the territory within ich they are to be performed- The same instrvent which orders census be made in all the States lpo bcs the duty on the Confederacy "to guaraCU to every State a republican form of government,' It enjo-ns on us "to protect each State from invaai." and while declaring that its subject and purpose,re "tn establish justice, ensure domestic tranqtty and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves .1 our posterity," it confers the means and thereby . poses on us ihe paramount duty of effecting its int , by "laying and collecting taxes, duties imposts 1 exercises, necessary to pay the debt provided for" common defence, and carry on the government' the Confederate States." None wo-ild pretend that the Constitution is T luted because, by reason of the presence of In It armies, wc are unable to guarantee a Tepublk form of government to those States or portion States now temporarily held by the enemy i- i , - hwi bv mi . , . 7 tmuwm ia census can- mnJ"a?!? fiT forerlmett rpmlion of that period, perish for ?-.v ws-w-UtiTbodj? in any pct ?a which .he object can be i.wed, I am led to til C,BeiU."va ?lred' is under- k .t ! wit a Tote taken in one or both Hoom, at your last eoseion. 1 shall, there fore, until w. are able to pnri the precise mode equireabyUCenstitnUom deem it y duty to r , 7 . mo taxation which you are bound 1 to impowa for the defence of the country in In your Urmr legialuion you bar ,00ht to avoi-i the iacre.se in the rolnme of note in cireUla ujj. by offers inducement, to volunUry iffihic The meart, ,d0 for have be? but partially successful, and the eYilhas now rlwhS such a magauttdM to pmit no other 4medTthan the compulsory reduction of the currency to the ThUrTK lhf bD8inf" country mil IUU amount b exoeeded the credit or the nn as one which. .dlaiurbe the baaia " a aa e "'!-.'''b..r'r! auguments. tn coBttaatlr inrr..;.,. Tr i -1. ,i.- ..;n " l"ee , uiuuebce on the moral. i character of th. people, to whica I l verted, I amperauaded you will concur in th. r ! elusion that an inflexible adherence a HmitaUon of the currency at a fixed sum is an iadi " n1able element of aQy fy8tem of finance now to U.pUd The holder, of the currency now outstandi ' only be protected in the recovery of their just by substituting for their note, some ..her securiw It the currency is not greatly and promptly reduc.d the present seal, of inflated prices will not only ou tinue to exist, but hy the rery fact of the larire amounts thus made requisite in the conduct of the war, those prices will reach rates still more extrav agant, and the whole system will fall under its own weight, thus rendering the redemption of the debt impossible, and destroying its whole value in the hands of the holder. If, on the contrary a funded debt, with interest secured by adequate taxation can be substituted, for the outstanding currency, its en ureauiount vill be made available to the holder and the government will be in a condition enabling it, beyonu life reach of any probable contingency to prosecute the war to a successful issue. It is therefore demanded, as well hv ih infaail i F L creditor as ocountry at large, that the evidence of public debt now outstanding in tLe shape of treas ury notes, bejeonverted into bonds bearing adequate interest, witK a provision for taxation sufficient to ensure punctual payment, and finalredemption of the whole debt. 4 1 The report hf the Secretary of the Treasury pre ents tho outibes of a svsUm whmh ; with existingfegislation, is intended to secure the several object of a reduction of the circulation within fixed, reasonable limits ; of providing for the future waits of th. government ; of furnishing security for th punctual payment of interest and fi nalextmctionjof the principal of the public debt; and of placing ,he whole business of the countrv on ' a basis as n.iaepecie standard as is possibledur- , ing the conusance of the war. I earnestly r-om. menaittoyoi-considenation.and that no delay be permitted to Intervene before your action on this vital subject. 1 1 trust that it will be suffered to en gross your attention until you shall have disposed of it in the manner best adapted to attain the impor tant results wtioh our country anticipates from your legislation. It may be mid that, in considering this subject tho people ouidtt ijft;i i.-. S . .. exclusively D) ourselves, it is tliat if each person held treasury totes in exact proportion to the value ol his whole means, each would in fact owe himself the amount of the notes held by him and, were it pos sible toditrii ute the currency among the people in this exact proportion, a tax livied on the currency alone, to an aiaount sufficient to reduce it to proper limits would afford the best of all remedies. Under such circumstances, the notes remaining in the hands of each holder, after the payment of his tax. would be worth quite as much as the whole sum previously held, for it would purchase at least an equal amount of commodities. This result cannot be perfectly at tained by any device of legislation, but it can be ap proximated by taxation. A tax on all values has lor its effect, not only to impose a due share of the burthen on the note holder, but to force those who have tew or none of the notes, to part with a share of their possess. ons to those who hold the notes in ex cess in order to obtain the means of satisfying the demands of the tax gatherer. This is the only mode by which it is practicable to make all contribute as equally as possible in the burthen which all are bound share, and it is for this reason that taxation adequate to the public exigencies, under our present circumstance, must be the basis of any funding system or oilier remedy for restoring stability to our finances. TUE ARMY. To the report of the Secretary of War )ou are re ferred for details relative to the condition of the ar my, and the measures of legislation required for maintaining its efficiency, recruiting its nnmbers, and furnishing the supplies necessary for its sup port. Though we have lost many of the best of our sol diers, and most patriotic of our citizens, (the sad but unavo dable result of the battles and toils of such a campaign as that which will render the year lSCo ever memorable in our annals,) the army is be lieved to be, in all reepects, in better condition than at any previous pf riod of the war. Oar gallant de fenders, now vtterans, familiar with danger, hard ened bv exposure, and confident in themselves and ltlc iustice would there be in imputing blame I their omceis, endure privations wnu cneeiiui torii- the failure to matte tne census, wnicu iui. miiuiw mue, on.! wco-wu.t ---- attributable to causes not foreseen by the authtficers, by expetience in field service, and the action of f tbi constitution. and beyond our cdtexamining boards in relieving the incompetent, are trol The general intent of our consinuuorariow greauy more micieui iuu i. charter is unquestionably that the property or talent of the war. lbs assertion ... ; mUikoi! in order to raise revenue fwullv justified, that, regarded as a J . ' .tm".;! rrode -nrovidoter valor efficiency and natriotw! devotion, our ar- for levying thi. tax is impracticabl. from unlorsee,y has not been equalled by any 2ike number of causes U is, in my juugmeni, our primary umj vwoops in uc i..oi.; w i .T,.o,- il.. general intent expressed by the terms In view of the large conscription recently order- nf the instrument which we have sworn tb obey, and; by the enemy and their subsequent call lor voi The obiect bf VOnr lialal.'i. I... V.. - . . 7 . J UU'J "uon nmptr oT persons skilled .-i?n0M ln' nT"haical p-rsmu, a oold tender more valuable serriees 1 Jjir country by laboring in their pret option than by going into the rank, of the army Th. policy is unoueationable, but th. re,alt woid if is thought, beWter obtained by enroll in r Si 'Uk persons, and allowing detail, 'toUmiieofTe C ""v10 "et thtfcne country CjuMdrable nnmbers are believed Tbe now ex empted fnm th. miliury service who ar. not need ful to the public in their civil Certain dnties are now performed throughout th. " ' J. tom me army, which could be as well executed by persons above th. present conscript age. An extension of the liruit, so as to embrace peraons over forty-fite year., and physically lit for service in guarding posts, railroads and bridges in apprehending deserters, and. where practicable, as ng the pUce of younger men detailed for duty witn the nitre, ordnance, commissary and auarter JLTvlS bnf,e&? f War pariment, wd it L -PS' ? Urge,y ,othctlve fo'reenowin the.field,withotan undue burthen on the nonuTa- m other points, are minutely detailed in his reoort. Wo at ".t'Ubmitt!d t0 1 "tending i conslriuVn? k f " -eful 1XCHAXQI OF PXISOXIES. I regret to Inform you that the enemy have r.- Wbrou,8 with y 2. ar.c is oeiievea 10 db whole, forcharac- t.aul with the reserve of coin pre existing in our a tn iif.i.ral tUir covers euemv'a iroods I country experience sustained the expectations of - I a .. . .. . . - v l.u--.L-j--.: 1 . u . . . Ua u:nr.i 1 m war, fill thi. ihlii?ation on the ground that we are una ble to perform it 1.1 the precise moae poinieu ouu Whenever it shall be possiDie to execuiw oui uui; i" all its parts, we must do so iu exact compliance wiih the whole letter rind spirit of Uie Constitution. Until that period shall arrive, we must execute so much of it as our condition renders practicable. W henever the withdrawal of the enemy shall place it- in our power to make a census and apportionment of direct taxes, any other mode of levying them ;n ntrr to th. will of the law-giver, and incompatible with our obligation to obey that will ; fiilJ.. i followed, if ineffectual, by a still fur H 1 r. ...I .nn;chpt that nn effnrt must lirail, ill c auiiiyu.".'.- ------ spared to add largely to our effective force as uptly a possible. The sources of supply are e lound by resWring to the the army all who are operly absent, putting an end to substitution, Ifvjng the exemption-law, restricting details !iacii.g in tho ranks such of the able bodied iiow employed as wagoners, nurses, cooks, and employees as are doing service for which the )es may be found competent. e act of 10th April, 162, provides " that per i a, i;t.!e inr dutv mav be received as subiiti- under suca ULtilthat period, the alternative left is to ooey me v.Ior tuose wuj r v pa amoun prvcept and to execute it according t. be prescribed by tue Secretary 0 ar ?o only o'-her rule provided, which is to "mak the Tywlicy of granting this privilege ha snot d bv experience, ivot oniy nas me tax unnorm mniugunui iu, V " ., ! , T. ..u Wn eriouslv im- J gubsti- ii :i I V tue t I , i 1 1, i 1 . no 1 - ti, was a hviligei cut 111 favor of neutrals i iiuuc. ttuui nt au acknowledged .ke ti:e fvurt article, which re Kit ik-i. To this conccskion we : " e . oTivetr i'ti with tireat Itrlt- ' iiW t'ie 'iaje of the reolu- 1.' 1. . , ors on the Hth Au n.'. lei ah , tendered us tur that I. it r , tie l 1 V .. l,v.. llifr.'.iri t. leiue longer. ,rrtHain bound 1 .-! vthul. ii,.- u i.er J irty lluites t. lul , . i u; I m.t !. rgl that war is ,t tem 1. . n.r wo dt'Mie that peace sbail u per I he t .i .iie oiicy id' the t'xiufvderay nust " I " 1 1 . i.ir.il ruhts to their full extern. . ipn id' ihe deeUrtiion of I'aris commend el., our jii liiment as more just, more hu- ... 1 1. 1 e . t.ii-uti.int with nioilern civilix.tiun e I .-.. ii-retn pretenrii.ns which gieal naval 1 ive 1.1 leti.tvre suiight to introduce into th. Ti. foretf" our undeniable light to e vteii'iui.-i policy higher, : . '. i hi cii!e t ti ian tn revoke our ad- -. ..-i.t .ro ratlv en- ttlni Bttens'th of the army leen IDe CODiiuertuvun jum j., - p, , . - , - , .u. .n.-i .v... .lumnt to aoccr- M hv the freuueut desertions for which torceu oy tue renen- j ,"T f.T Lit. fri v. . r b.,t dissatisfaction hai . . cmnnnt Ntftteo BOTnA Ol WBICU lit u"J "lle uei-Uiiiv . . these who devised the system. T hus, on the first o: tin." fallowing December, coin had only reached a premium ol about twenty per cent, although it had itedy become apparent that the commerce of the country threatened wnu permanent suspension by reason of ihe conduct of neutral rations, nud that the necessary result mnit be the exhaustion of our specie reserve. Wheat, in the beginning of the vcar leii, wis selling at one dollar and thirty ceuts per buMiel, not exceeding, therefore, its average price iu time of peace The other agricultural pro ducts ot the country were at similar moderate ia- tes, thus indicating that there was no excess of cir culation, and that the rate of premium ou specie was heightened by the exceptional causes which tended to its exhaustion without the possibility of renewing the aupply. This re-view of the policy of your predecessors is given in justice to them and exhibits the condition of the tiaancea at the date when the permanent gov ernment was orcanued in the meantime the popular aversion to internal 4 .twi.n-j in thsu nccu nation 01 fcOltlie lorcco, til lliia'; " 1 . - would subvert th. whole intention of the framers of the Constitution, and be productive of the most , revolting injustice, instead of that just conelatton , between taxation and representation wmtu ti their purpote to secure. ith large portion, u. , some of the States occupied by the enemy, what j justice would there be in imposing on tne remain- J . i - . f ih pntirA der the who.e amount 01 me ; State in proportion -to its representation . u-. else would this be in effect than to increase tue bur then of those who ar. the Heaviest sunerer UJ war, uu " u-.v j ern. i no consideration for his (torn invasion, a wcr .-;ir.v-- , - mali---- , stitution, the ground tor aaaing to metr . j an attempted adherence to the letter, in violation of the spirit of that instrument? No such purpose i.t ), heen entertained, ana no sucn result tuu- templated by the framers of the Constitution. cite 1 among those who have been unab.e or to avail themselves of tie opportunity 'horded of avoiding the military service ot niinlrv. . j . - it . i ' i a. m.Mi avrircicQOii nv i lie v concur in iuc vmiwi -j , that there is no grounu tor mcwujwvu , tufr w provision, to include those who turnistica fcURes under the former call, would be a breach ; 01 fflct To accept a substitutes was to confer a j Pr" not to enter into a contract, and whenever j thtute is tendered liable to onscription it , woJm to follow that tho j.riucipal, whoee place and t make our own inability to protect them he Xken, LoulJ respond for mm, a. tne gov , auu wu iu.v j ern. i no consideration for his ex- . emfri. where, however, the new provision of , law f faii to embrace a substitute now in the ; rankle appears, if the principal Bhould ag.in be cSed to be an equitable ground for com- j rensat. ,la .,,,.rii,t. who then would have i addei service a soldier not otherwise liable to ; It i I V a a. IbaoA Anei.ara.I10nH IA VClCcvw S5 although the Constitution provided thatitshou d euro . r.a?- m. ..nrocr.t&tinn temtvoraTily .... v.. .i . ' L - . - i ..:i....l .mn.i, i)i StitM. it expressly oraains, "-.vu vj wiBgFutrai government uau innuenceu i uisirtuuiv auvB - - - the legislation of the several States, and in only I after providing for a census within three years, mat believed that On I : r Ton.ntions. it is abuse checked unless the system Is placed on a blirely different from that now provided uon thJ'Tr mMure b ded lair to enlarge enable the Department to replace not only enlisted cooks, but wagoners, and other employees the ar my, by negroes, it is hoped that the ranW the. ar my will be so strengthened, for the ensuing cam paign, as to put to defiance the utmost efforts of the enemy. In order to maintain, unimpaired the existing 0r ganixaUon of the aypy until the close of the war your legislation contemplated a frequent supply 0f recruits and it was expected that before the expira tion 0f th. three years Tor which the meu were en jo.led under act of 17th April, 1862, the majority of men in each company would consist of those who joined it at different dates subsequent to the origi nal muster of the company into service, and that the discharge of those who had completed their term witv. V D0 lim! be 8ufficient to leave the company rl . nun?ber U "'laired to enable it to ctoS- f'8floranl2ation- ,Tbe difficulty of obtaning re cruits from certain localities, and the large number of exemption, from miUtary service granfed bj di, V 'e Prevented sufficient .cessions in many 0f the companies to preserve their orgaui TWhV C: thC d,l8chg f the original mynber. The advantage of ret.itting tried and well approved officer, and of m ogling recruit, with experienced Soldier IK nn nhir on.l tv. i: ,r u w-,,, auu lllc p,uey oi such a course .a oieany inaicated that it ig not deemed necessa j ul me evu consequences which would ickun irom me obstruction of the old nnr;...; or to dwell upon the benefits to be seiwiro.l n ing up the veteran companies as long before the ;'urle ol in eny members as may be possible In the cases where itmaye found impracticable to maintainregimentginsuflicicntetrengthto justyfy the retention of the present organization, economy and efficiency would be promoted by consolidation and .c-orgnizauon. lhis would involve the neoessity of disbanding a part of the officer., and makine rec uiauons ior securing the most judicious election of inose woo are retaideU while least wounding the itenngs ot tnose who aro discharged Ex , . . " " luo utcrnBiij ior iurtur tegisiaiion in relation to the horses ot the cavalry Many men lose their horses by casualties of service which are not included iu the provisions made to compensate the owner for the loss, and it may thus not unnequcnuy happen that the most efficient troopers, without fault of their own, indeed, it may bebecausoof their zeal and activity, are lose to the cavalry service. It would'also see ra proper that the Government nhouldhave complete control over horses mustered into the service with the limit aaion that ihe owner should not be deprived of his horse except upon due fed-or on foot woul 1 depend, not upon he qualifi cations of tin; men, but upon the tact of their having hordes. Some provision is deemed requisite to correct the evils arising from the long continued absence of commissioned officers. W here it is without suffi fficient cause it could seem but just that the com mission should be thereby vacated. Where it results from capture by the enemy which, under their bisbarous refusal to exchange prisoners of war, may be regarded as absence for an indefinite time, there is a necessity to supolv their places in their respective commuuds. This might be done by temporary appointments to en dure only until the return of the officers regulaily commissioned. Where it re-ults from permanent disability incurred in the line of their duty, it would be proper to retire them and fill the vacancies ac cording to established mode. I would also suggest the organization of an invalid coips, and that the re tired officers be transferred to it. Such a corps, it is thought, could be made useful in various employ ments, tor which efficient officers and troops are now detatched. An organization of the general staff of the army, would be highly conducive to the efficiency of that most important branch of the service. The plan adopted tor the military establishment furnishes a model for the staff of the provisional army, if it be deemed advisable to retain the distinction, but i recommend to your consideration the propriety of abolishing it, and providing for the organization of the several staff corps in such number and with such rank as will meet all the want of the service. T. secure the requisite ability far the more important positions it will be necessary to provide fcr officers of higher rank than is now authorized for these corps To give to the officers the proper rela'icn ; and co-intelligence in their respective corps, and to preserve in the chief of each, useful influence and control over his subordinates, there should be ni gradatiou on the basis .t the rank of the general with whom they might b. serving by appointment. To the personal staff of a general, it would seeiu proper to give a grade corresponding with his rank, and the number nwght be fixed to correspond with his com mand. To avoid the consequence of discharge upon a change of duty, the variable portion of the perso nal staff might be taken from the line of the army, and allowed to retain their lice commissions. The disordered condition of the currency to which 1 have alread) alluded, has iiopos.d on the Gov ernment a system of supplying the wants cf the ar my which is so unequal in its operation, vexatious to the producer, injurious to the iudustrial interest, nn 1 productive of such discontent ttmong the people, as only to be justified by the exigence of absolute ne cessity. One report of the Secretary on this point es tablishes conclusively, that Uie neceufcity which has forced the bureaux ot supply, t-o provide for the ar my by impressment, has resulted from the impossi bility of purchase by contract or in the open market except at such rapidly increac'l rates as would have rendered the appro xiuiaaous inadequate to the wants ot" the army. Indeed it is believed that the tempta tion to hoard aupplies for the higher prices which could be aaticipateu with certainty has been check ed mainly by the tear of the operation of the ini presment law ; and that commodities have been of fered on the markets principally to escape impress nient, and obtain higher rales than those fixed by appraisement. Th. comflaim.s against this viciou? system have been well founded, but the true causi oi the evil has been misapprehended. The lemedy is to Be found, not in a change of the impressment law but in the restoration of tho currency to such a basis as wiil enable the department to purchase nec essary tupplies in the open market, and thus render iinpreisment a rare and e.xcep'ional process. The same remedy will effect the result universally desired, of an augmentation of the pay of the army. Th. proposals made at our previous kessions to in crease the pay of the soldieis by an additioi.ai amount of Treasury notes, would have confeired little bene fit on him, but a radicl reform of the currency will restore the pay to a value approximating that which if originally had, and materially improve his condi tion. . . The reports from the ordnance and mining bureaux are very gratifying, and the extension of our means of supply of arms and munitions f war from home resources, has been such as to ensure our ability soon to become maioly, if not entirely independent of supplier from foreign countries. The establish ments for the casting ol guns and prejectilcs ; lor the manufacture of small arms and of gunpowder, for the supply of nitre from artificial nitre beds, and mining operationsgenerally, have been so distributed thiough the country, as t place our resources be yond the reach of partial disasters The recommendations of the Secretary of War on nniri Vi i a V. - r . Mom ttd to you by the Secretary of War and it al?nowaJ beea PaM"hed f0r i-forat?o of due? 7f Venn?L W Pri"l- The con duct .r the authority, of th. United States has been consistently perfidou. on thi. subject ALrVs! XT w "hmln the taP-"J of the warTaS just been concluded wh IK- f.n it r , reversed the previous state of th and gav. Vm' I an ee of prisoner.. The agrefment E?Z1 fortune 71? 7 remintd &?HZ ZZZ: glplMed u in th PO"e,.ion of and urST ? b,r A n'wcrtel then made. -wT. ?!" ' ' Ir ""JoatK we restored to them thevV. Prvl9oners "cess of those whom they held for exchange, and encampments of the surplus paroled prisoners, delivered up by us, were able to receive the comforts and .olace of-consutnt communication with their homes aad families. In July last, the fortune of war again favored the nemy, and they were enabled to exchang. for duty tne men previously delivered to them ;.i . ' I captured and paroled at Vieksburgand Port Hudson. IX T- IaEPn at Uettysburg. however, remain ed injheir hands, and should have been returned to our lines on parole, to await exchange. Instead of execut.ng n duty imposed by the plainest dictate. IJT.T ""J 8ooJ Jith, pretexts were instantly sought for holding them in permanent captivity General orders rapidly succeeded .ach other llom the bureau at Washington, placing new construction, on an agreement which had given rise to no di.put. hile we retained the advantage in the number of prisoner,. With a discard of honorableTwIga oJ thirl ? r,l reta,i1ninB the prisoners captured by them, to declare null the paroles given to the pri soners captured by us in the same series of engage ments, and liberated on condition of not again serv ing until exchanged. Ther 1.. . - sisted on treating the paroles given by their own sol- mvaiiu, anu those ot our solders, given un Jer precisely similar circumstances, as binding A succession of similar unjust pretensions has been set up m a correspondence tediously prolonged, and every aevice employed to cover the disr.gard of an obligation which between belligerent nations, i, on ly to he enforced by a sense of honor. .No farther comment is needed on this subject, but . m,a b permitted to direct jour spec.ai attention io the close of the correspodence submitted to you trout it you will perceive thatthe finil proposal made by the enemy, m settlement of all disputes under the cartel, is, that we should liberate all th. prisoners held by us, without the offer to release from captivi ty any of those held by them. Iu "he meantime a systematic and concerted cTort has been made to quiet the complaints in th United States, of those rela'ivi". and friends of the prion-e-s in our hands who are unable to understand why the cartel is not executed in their favor, by the groudless assertion that we are the pa.ties who re fuse compliance. .Attempts Brc also made to shield themselves from the eiecrj'iou excited by their own odious treatment of our officers and soldiers now in their hands, by misstatements, such as that th.t.ri soneis held by us are deprived of food. To thi. last accusation the conclusive answer has been made that, inaccordance with our law and the general onlers of the department, the rations of the prisoners are pre cisely the same, in quantity aud quality, as those served out to our own callint soldiers in th. fiu and which have been found sufficient io support thetll in their arduous camn&itru. uhiU ii. hands to be supplied by their friends at home with comforts not enjoyed by the meu who captured thein in battle. In contrast to this treatment, the mo.t revolting inhumanity has characterized the conduct of the United States towards the prisoners held by them. One prominent fact, which admits uo denial or palliation, must uffice as a test. The officers of our army, nativ.s of southern aud semi-tiopical cli mates and unprepared lor the cold of a northern winter, have been conveyed, for imprisonment, dur ing the rigors of the present season to the most nor thern and exposed situation that could be selected by the enemy There, beyoud the reach of com forts, and often evtn news fiom home and family. exposed to the piercing cold of the northern lakes. they are held by men who cannot be ignorant of, if they do not design the probable result. How many ot our unfortunate frieuds and comrades, who have passed unscathed through numerous battles, will pe. rish on Johnson's Island, under the cruel trial to which they are subjected none but the Omniscient - can foretell. That ihey will endure this barbarous treatment with the same stern fortitude that they have ever evinced in their country's service, wo csn not doubt. But who can be found to believe the as sertion that it is our refusal to execute the cartel. and not the malignity of the foe, which has caused the infliction of such intolerable cruelty on our own ovd ar.d honored defenders. TBANS-MISSISSirrt UBPARTMKNT. Regular and punctual communication with fhe Trans-Mississippi is so obstructed as to render diffi cult a compliance with much of the legislation ee?t iug authority in the Executive branch of the govern ment. To supply vacancies Hi office; to excrcire discretion on certain matters connected with the military organizations; to control the distribution of the funds collected from taxation or remitted from the treasury ; to carry on the operations of the PosL Office Department, und other like duties, re quire, under the constitution and existing laws, lhe action of the President and heads of Departments. The necessities cf the military service frequently forbid delay, rvad some legislation is required, pro viding for the exercise of temporary authority, un til regular action can be had at the scat of govern ment. I would suggest, especially in the post office department, that an assistant be appointed for the States beyond t lie Mississippi, with authority in the hoad of that department to vest in this assistant all such powers now exercise! by th Postmaster Gene ral, as may bo requisite for provisional cor.froi of the funds of the department in rhose States, and their application TO the payment of mail contractors; for 6uperin'cn Icnce of the local post offices ; for the temporary employment of proper pcr;r,ns to fulfill the duties of postmasters and contractors in urgeut ense, until appoint ments can be made, ar:d for other like purposes. Without some legislative provision on the subject, there is sr-iious rick of the destruc tion of tl.emnil service, by reason of the delays and hardships suffered by contirctors under the present system, which requires constant reterence to Rich mond of thiir accounts f well of the retarns of the local postmasters, before thy ran receive pay ment for services rendered. Like provision if ahn necessaiy in the Treasury Department ; while, for military affairs, it would secrn to be RiiiTicient to au thorize ;he Piryident fthd tccrftry of War to dele gate to the commanding general so much of the dis cretionary powers vested in tero by law as the exi gencies of the service shall require. XAVT. The report of the fcj-ereUry of the Navy give in detail the operations of that Department since Jan nary last embracing information ot the disposition and emptoymrnt of the vessels, officere and men, and the construction of" vrcis at Richmond, Wil mington, Charleston, .Savann.ih, Mooile, Selma, and on 'he rivers I'.oao.jkc Neuse. Pedce. Chaltahooche and Totnbigbee; the nccumulation of ship timber and supplier, and the manufacture of ordnance, ord nance stores end equipments. The foundries and workshops have been greatly improved, and their capacity to supply all demands for heavy ordnance lor coat-t and harbor defences, is only limited by our deficiency iu the requisite skilled labor. The want of such labor and - of eearuen aeriously affects the operations of the deparrment. Tne skill, energy and activity of our cruisers at sea cannot be too highly commended. They hava inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, without suffer ing a single disaster, and have seiiously damaged tne shipping interests of the United .States by com pelling their foreign commerce to seek the protection of neutral flags. Your attention is invited to the suggestions of the report on the subjects of supplying seamen for the service, and of the provisions ot the law in relation to the volunteer navy.
The Greensboro Patriot (Greensboro, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 17, 1863, edition 1
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