Newspapers / The Raleigh Register (Raleigh, … / Nov. 22, 1862, edition 1 / Page 1
Part of The Raleigh Register (Raleigh, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
MMGI1WI ' SATURDAY MORNING, NOV. 22,1662.; ) ' GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. The Honorable, theQeneral Assembly': , i f ' Certainly Legislature has never beenv xm tened in the State of North Carolina to protect greater interests orTOeef greater, responsibilities. ' Eighteen niontce ego, when the State entered into ba war, which is now , waging, all wa.9 Iffe jpd bupyancy and excitement. . Tbe novelty' of ur undertajkibg, and the enthusiasm of oiir peo-i pie irt support ut our cause, not only rendered the course bf the Legislature and the Executive easy; but actually .preceded and"' marked .it out Bat the long continuance of the contest,-the slajigbtQr of our soldiers, the occupation of our territory by the eneimy f the destruction of our hpmes, and the blockaded condition of our coast, have reduced us to stfetta, and given rise ta a class of evils, jin the , prrsend of which ephemeral patriotism must per ish, anf' the tinsel enthusiasm of novelty give placet! that stern and determined devotion to our cause, which alone can sustain a revolution.) ft now becomes the duly of you, the General Assembly, to set ah example to your constituents of firmness, prudence, determination and energy ; to correct the error of the pet,to provide for the exigencies of the future, and to' use well and wise- ly tbe power vestea in your ooay oy ine uonsu tution for the protection of our rights andriiber- The subject of first importance is the prosecu- tion of the war, and the means of defending our State agaicsl the invasion of the enemy. The Legislature, by several, acts in 1861; provided that, in 0-s9 the Confederate Government should fail or meglect to provide for the defence of! North Carolina,-the Governor should be authorized to raise a 'certain number of troops for that purpose, and made appropriations bf money for their sup port. Impressed with the defenceless condition of ourjBttStern counties when I came into office, I Lad fully determined to avail myself of this au thority, and would have proceeded at once to do so, buf for the intervention of insurmountable difficulties. The principal of these was the con- subsequenjt to the passage of the several acts tb. ferred Sto. By this law, as extended in its provis ions a ishort time before the adjournment of Con gress, all able bodied men, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, became liable to en roll men t as soldiers of the Confederate States.. To raise an adequate force for State defence from our citizens beypnd the age of forty-five, and submit to this vast drain besides, I .thought en-, tirely Impracticable. I hoped, too, that by aid ing and assisting in the execution of the con scription law, I would be effectually providing for State defence. This reasonable hopei has, I regret! to say, been- disappointed ; and although Northj-Carolina has a greater extent of sea-coast than shy other State, she has had fewer troops given her for its defence. ' It isnot necessary, gentlemen, that I ishould5: call your attention to the abounding wealth of this threatened section of our State filled with everything neeessary fo the comfort of our army and oir people or to the suffering and ruin of its loyal, Patriotic inhabitants. You are sufficiently informed! in, regard thereto. It is for you,! there fore, to say) whether you will suffer out defences as heretofore, to remain exclusively in the hands of the Confederate authorities, or take steps to car ry out the wilrof the last Legislature, and raise troops enough oh State authority to strengthen the weak hand of the General. Govornment on our coast V . ' I unhesitatingly recommend the raising of at lesst ten legiments ot reserves, to be accepted for inreeor lour momns, ana aisaussea in ume vo pitch their crops in the Spring. Tbi force, auxilliary to the Confederate Ifraops, would probably be able to prevent m advance of the enerav into the interior, and while subsisting on the abundant supplies in our eastern counties, could benefit the whole State, by aiding in wi th drawing vast quantities of provisions from exposed points. Inasmuch as it may become necessary for slatte labor to be emplojed on State defenc, and my authority to force such labor may be ques- j tloned by some, 1 would respectfully recommend j the propriety of the passing or au act wnereby such authority, may be vested' in me, in case such argent necessity shall arise as will justify it. Next to the defence-. of the State from the en my in importance, is the defence of our people against extortion and starvation. Notwithstand ing the failure of the crops in. the Western part of the State, it is believed ttiat there is wit,bin pur borders an abundance of grain for the supply of our people, and a surplus for the use of thei army. co have been planted in corn very generally, and the crop of this essential product is perhaps larger by maay hundred thousand busnels than has ey. er been known.. When this is considered, to? gather wjth the immense crop of peas, potatoes, fruits, there would seem to be little danger of any actual suffering among ouf people nor would there be, could it all be properly distribu ted and at reasonable prices. But the demon of speculation and extortion seems, to have seized upont nearly all sorts and conditions pf men, and1 all the necessaries of life are last getting beyond the reach of.the poor. ! Flour, which if properly left to the laws of sup? rlv and demand could notbave risen to more than double peace rates, can now be used only by the rich. ' Everything has a fesdeney upward in the same proportion leather, woolen cloth andcotton goods have oeen made the especial means - of ex tortion. As if we were not sufficiently afflicted with the base and avaricious in our own midst, speculators from distant States swarm in the land, J offering fabulous prices for everything they can buy. And in many instances, taking advantage of the patrijtism of our peoplo, they represent themselves as agents of the Government, purchas ing for the army thus obtaining what they couldnot otherwise do. The supply of salt will, I vhope, be sufficient, buf this subject too needs leg isTAtiva notion. I)r. Worth, tha salt commission er appointed by the Convention, has been, indus triously at work ; but be baa not produced a great quantity, owing to the difficulties which be has mentioned in his reports. His first works, at Morehead City, were taken by the enemy before be had rarely gotten them into operation. Hid next.effort at Wilmington was successful in pro ducing about 25.0 bushels per day, for some time befero thy were interrupted by the yellow-fever, whl has caused their temporary suspension. As the pestilence has abated, they frill of 'course be immediately again put into operation. The wnoie amount made tnere Dy toe otaie na pn-r ' vate individuals, probably exceeds 2,500 bushels per day. Nearly all of this made on private aci count is bought by citizens of other S tates and from $12 to $i0 per bushel. My predecessor, Gov. Clark, also entered into a oontract through N. W Woodfln and Geo. W, Mordent, Esqrs., with Stewart, Buchanan & Co. ing300,000 bushels of salt, and Mr. Woodfla wasmade Superintendant of the Wo-ks. . With commendable energy he has pushed forward his undertaking, and tbere are now, as reported, to me by a special agent sent to visit the establish neni, about 200 kettles- in operation, making near 1,200 bushels per day. Owing to his sickness the Superintendant has made no official report to tnfrof his operations and expenditures. . I recommend that your Honorable' body shall take immediate steps to prevent the exportation frotn the State of salt, leather, .hoes,' woolen floth, cotttfn cloth, yarn, pork and bacon, flqur and potatoes except for the army and by the reg u'ar agents of the government; and except when, purchased by any county and corporate authori ties cf our sister States, under such regulations as 111 amount to satisfactory proof that such artioles rs fos private use, or charitably distribution to the poor of such counties, towns, Ac, ai)d not for "peculation not, however, in violation f any ex sting cotitrac'.i made by our citizens with- citizen I I other Btates. This U all the rsmed j I can aug Vn for the evils of extortion Malory land com- Til STIR mpn sense having taught us the danger of try ing, toorce tade, which refuse to be governed' by .any but natural laws. AUwe can 3o is to aid thesa well established 1wsrs the skillful physi claim assists nature in the checkioe of disease. j tt: i . a .t-t.t - - T violent ana iorciole measures nave lone- since been condemned, by civpized statesmen, and could now only serve to dry up the sources pf our in dustry, and lessen the prod actions of ine country. The same remarks apply iq seizures of private property for public use, which ought never to be Tesorted to except in extreme cues, ancUthen only as a lemporary expedient.' ' - To provide against the possible suffering of the wives and children of our brave and self-denying soldiers, I also respectfully, recommend the pur chasing and storing, at some sate point in the io. terior, of at least two hundred thousand bushels, of corn and five hundred thousand pounds of pork, tq be sold to them at rates sufficient to cover the spst, transportation, &c. It can now be bought: in the! Eastern counties at moderate prices, and Is in danger of destruction by the enemy, if now removed at anearly day. Anticipatidg the ne cessity of this measure, and also thinking it prop er in a military point of view to have, some sur plus on hand, I have already ordered the building of large cribs on the N. C. R. Roadpnd -made other preliminary arrangements for purchasing on a large scale. il dee;m this a matter 6f the 'very highest im portance. Nothing would so cheer and encourage our soldiers in the discharge of duty, as to know that their State was providing for those aV home dearrr V) them than life; and nothing would eo dispirit and demoralize them as to know .that those dear ones were suffering. Indeed, thesoldier, shivering through the snows of the coming winter and offering his blood day by day for our defence, has a right to expect that his country will notpormit ina wife and little ones td .cry in vain for bread; and white there is a morsel in the land it should.be divided with them. I beg you, therefore, Gentlemen, to make such provisions as you may deem best in reference to the matter, and at as early a' day 89 possible, and let the gratifying assurance, go forth to the camps of our armies that the wives and children of our soldiers snail not suffer so long as their State has money or food to give them. I beg leave to call your attention to the great and almost insurmountable difficulties encounter ed by the Quartermaster's Department in provi. ding clothing, shoes, and blankets'for our troops. During the administration of my predecessor, an arrangement was entered into (according to a res olution of the General AssembLy) with the Quar termaster's Department of the Confederate States, by which North Carolina was to receive the com mutation clothing money of her troops and clotbe and shoe them herself. And on our agreeing t sell the Confederate authorities all the surplus supplies that could be procured in the State, they agreed to withdraw their agents Lvoui our markets and leave the State agents the whole field, with out oompetition. This would have enabled' tho State to clothe and shoe her troops comfortably, arid could have furnished to the Confederate States all that was to be had anyhow at reasonaule rates. But it was immediately violated. The country was soon, and is still, swarming with agents of the Confederate Government, stripping bare our markets and putting enormous prices upon our agents. This is expecially the case )in regard to shoes and leather. The consequence has been our . troops could get only half supplies from home, and nothing at all from the Confederate Government, because of our agreement to furnish them ourselves. When a large portion of our army this fall by the accidents of battle and other causes lost their baggage, it was found impossible at once to replace it. Severely pressed as to the best course to be pursued, I published an appeal to our people in behalf of their brothers in the field, and employed the militia officers for the col lection of articles donated or sold; and though the response has been at once gratifying and pa triotic, yet it is necessarily slow and uncertain ; and I regret to sav that the heroes ot Boonshoro', Sbarpsburg and other glorious fields, have suffer ed and are still suffering greatly for the want of shoes and clothing. Every possible exertion has oen made for their relief; but while the agents at the Confederacy are allowed to compete with 'ours, and speculators are allowed to carry our leather beyond our borders, it will be impossible to supply them. I earnestly recommend an embargo' upon this article, e before mentioned. 1 am gratified that I am able to state that the prospect of obtaining cotton cloths at reasonable rates, is better than it has been. The stockholders of the Bockfish man ufacturing company, one of the largest and mo3t enterprising in the State, have agreed to soli all their productions at 75 per cent upon cost, the rate allowed by the exemption bill, which will reduce the price about one,half;and some seven or eight other companies have intimated an intention of Yellowing their praiseworthy example. We may i-eafeonabiy hope that most of the other mills in the State can be induced to do likewise. . The woolen factories seem more incorrigible. Some of them when asked to furnish their goods at 75 per cent, declined entirely, and others agree to do so by fixing enormous profits on the cost of the raw material andthen adding the 75 per cent, on the .finished article, making their profits even greater than before. It-is greatly to be regretted that the most useful and to be cherished institu tions should put themselves in a position, which will cause them to be execrated by our people on the return of peace. But as the free trade policy oppressed them in times of peace, so they seem de termined to have no mercy upon us during the existence of the war. I recommend them to your tender mercies, gentlemen, and would respectfully suggest that you adopt such measures as may seam practicable for securing supplies to our own citizens first; and to reduce if possible the price of cotton yarn, which is so essential to supplying the hand looms of our farmer's wives. In relation to ordnance stores, I will mention that nearly a year ago, a contract was made by my predecessor, under an act of the Legislature .appropriating $10,000 for the purpose, with Messrs. Waterhouse & Bowes, for the erection ot powder mills. The money was expended, the mills erected and soon afterwards blown up and destroyed. Gov. Clark agreed to furnish them the means to start again; and under a new con tract they have erected other mills and are now near ly ready to begin operations on a scale sufficie nt to make about 4,000 pounds per week. This, however.involvad an expenditure of mon ey beyond that appropriated by the act referred to; $12;000 having been advanced the contrac tors by Gov. Clark and $8000 by myself. Of these sums, the money advanced by Gov. Clark is to be refunded in four equal annual in stalments, and that by me by reserving 10 per Cent, of the payments (as they become due) on powder to be furnished the State. The Confede rate States will furnish the mills with about 3,000 pounds of nitre per week. The department has contracted with manufac turers in the State for about 300, new rifles per month, and arrangements have been made where by, after the 1st of January, about 300 old rifles and muskets out of repair will be rendered fit for' servioe. And it is hoped the department will soon be able to keep on hand a supply for five, .thousand men. A detailed report of the opera tions of the Adjutant General's department is herewith appended. ; The finances of the State will doubtless engage your anxious consideration. The Board of Claims, in pursuance of Ordi nance No. 20, Sec. 5, passed in December, 1861, have made a report showing the debt of the Slate on the 30th Sept., 1862, to be $28,983,361 01, subject to be diminished by the amount of the sinking fund, at that time about $900,000, and the debt due the State from, the Confederate gov ernment, between five and six millions. Still the State debt is very heavy, and the interest at least ought to be punctually paid. Tbere are three distinct modes of supplying the requisite sum ; one by taxation, a second by an additional issue of treasury notes,, and a third by getting fro so the Confederate Government the sum due the State. Indeed, this sum, when received, ought to be ap plied forthwith to the extinguishment of the debt of the State, as far as it will go ; tor it constitutes a part of the capital of. the State debt, and ought to be applied, when returned, towards the extinc tion of that amount of It capital. Upon correct priBciples, therefore, 6f financial economy, the debt ought not to be allowed to grow any larger, if practicable to prevent it. Andif the payment of tna entire amount of interest cannot oe pro vided for by taxation, as nmch at least,'as po?siblo ' . it. ji a.- it. ui ougni K oe so raisea. xn regard w vu suujrei ui taxation, interesting at all times, and rendered doubly, ao at this eventful crisis, I have but few remarks to make. There has been such a disturb ance in the industrial pursuits of the country withio a very recent period, that it is difficult for one, who mav not at once have been present in all parts )f the State, to fully realize it You brirag with ou this knowledge, and can better apply it from what you- have seen than from what I can reconamend. -I'shall therefore venture but one suggestion upon the subject,- because of what I have heard. By ordinance No. 22 of June, 181, which is now. a part of the Constitution of the State, it is provided that land and slaves shall be taxed ac- cording to ineir vaiue, m . taxed alike; and that tbetaxonslavesmay.be laid oa their general average value in the btate, or on their value in classes in resnect to age, sex and other distinclivo properties, in the discretion' of tbeiGeneral Assembly, and the value be assessed in suck modes as may be prescribed by law. Now, while lands, even of the Bame qualities, but situate in different places, from their local and immov able character are properly assessed at different rates, (because of their relative proximity to mar kets and for other substantial causes ; and for such reasons the General Assembly itself can' neither accurately value real estate, nor can do so "by any general State commissioner, yet some steps may be taken towards equalizing tho tax on slaves, whichj, under the present mode of assessments, may be, and I understand is, various in many counties of the State, 'because of the different standard of valuation adopted bv the owners and assessors. It is very desirable that the tax should be uniform,, and I suggest as the most likely means to accomplish that object, the propriety of classifying slaves by their ages, or by sex and age, and affixing for two years the taxable value of each class. ; In consequence of the moveable quality of this species of proporty, it is not. subject to the irregularity of assessment which attends land ; the valueof slave property at any one place in the State is, for all practical purpose?, the same, as in any other ; and it is not difficult therefore to make the tax -both equal and uniform by the classifica tion Of 6laves in the manner already mentioned. Under the discretionary powers vested by the Constitution in the Legislature to exempt the in firm and distinguish the mechanic from the field laborer, it appears to me that the legislative assess ment,' discreetly mae, will conduce better than the present mode to a uniform taxation through out the State. Each county is interested that the taxable value of slaves should be alike in all the counties, and whatever tends to equalize the tax on slaves, tonds to equalize that on land, inasmuch as both species of property must be taxed alike on their lespective values. A precedent for this mole of taxing slaves, however imperfect, may be found in the legislation of 1782, ch. 8. -" In -order to meet tho interest on the public debt, and to make up the sum due from counties, where the tax cannot be collected on account ot the presence of the enemy, I recommend an increase of at' least twenty-five per cent, on the present amount of taxation. The great abundance of money and consequent high prices of property would, I think, enable the people to pay it cheer fully I also recommend that a tax of twenty five per cent, be laid upn tho nett profits of all per sons' Who have, during the present year, speculated in thje necessaries of life, such as corn, flour, ba con, pork, shot i," leather, cotton cloth and yarn and woolen good?, and to be continued during the next year Or longer, il necessary ; the proceeds to be applied to the support of wives and children or widows of soldiers whose property, as listed on lEe t$x books, shall fa'! below a certain sum. This law," if properly enforced and guarded against false swearing, would be made to answer a valu able purpose, and would be eminently just in its effects. I aim clearly of the opinion that no more Trea sury inotes should be issnoni, if it bo possible to avoid it, as I think it would bo better to pay Kite rest an our bonds than to further Bwell the vol ame of palper in circulation. Tbi following is a statement of the debt of the State on the 30th day. of September, 1862 r Bonded debt, $ 14,812,005 00 Temporary loans, Int. unp'd on Coupon bond debt, u tt Temporary loans and Bonds without Coupons, Am't Treasury netes in circul'n, 2,550,4-19 00 45 432,003 52,351 3.13G.550 06 50 - Total, $c20,983,361 01 Taxes ree'd from permanent sources for 1861, $734,650 10 Taxes ree'd from permanent sourcos $or 18C2, 715,703 3d Thje falling off is attributablo to those counties and pnrta of counties in the possession of the ene-J my. ; The deduction for the next year will be still greater, owing to his advance, the destruction of property, &c. The' report of the Board of Claims on the subject of the finances is herewith tranitnitted. In view ot the very great labor now imposed upon the Treasury Department and the variety of dutiea it embraces, I recommend the croation of the office of Auditor of Public Accounts, to con tinue bo long as may be deemed necessary, whose duty it shall be to investigate and settle ail olaims against the State, &c. When the term of the preseat Board of Claims Bhail expire, it will still be necessary to have somosuch an office in exist ence during the continuance of the war, and per haps for many- years after. Should it not be deemed advisable to establish the office ot Auditor, then I recommend that the Board of Claims be continued, and authorized to hold short sessions quarterly, and their pay be arranged in proportion to their labor. I also recommend that the Literary Board be "allowed to appoint a Treasurer, to take charge of its own funds, with a salary to be fixed by the Board. This duty at present rests on the State Treasurer, and the law requires him to keep the fund, and evidences of debt,. &c , separate and apart from any other funds in his hands. The duty could muuh more conveniently and effectually be performed by tho Board's own officers. When the amount of this fund is considered, (the annual disbursements baing double that of tbe whole State Governmant two years ago,) with the further fact that twice a reasonable Balary of a Treasurer has been lost annually for want of some competent and proper officer to look after and colleet the debts of the Board, I feel assured that the adoption of the suggestion would be of material advantage to its interests. I beg leave to mak'o certain suggestions in regard to militia and to aiding the Con federate authorities in enforcing their efforts to maintain tho efficiency of our armies. The ordinary penalties prescribed by our Mili tia laws for the punishment of offences, disobe dienoe of orders, &c, adapted to peace times, are found now entirely inadequate. Wishing to spare lour citizens the disagreeable spectacle of Confederate soldiers traversing the eouniry to gather: up delinquent conscripts, deserters and absentees from.the army without leave, I decided to employ the militia for that purpose. In gen eral, it has answered admirably, most of the offi cers having displayed great zeal and efficiency in gathering up rapidly all persons subject to mili tary duty, without offending the sensibilities of our peoplet, But, in some instances, deserters and other shirking characters, have set the officers at defiance, and are enabled to evade arrest by the assistance of others Who conceal them, feed them, and, in some cased, resist the officers in the dis charge of their duty. As the crime of desertion, sa far as I know, is not an; offence against tbe common law, so the concealing, aiding, and assisting a deserter to avoid recapture is not punishable in our courts.!. To aid the military authorities in ar res time such persons, I reeommer4 that an act be passed fur the punishmeqt of any one who shall aid and assist them, or in any noaj prevent their recapture ; and alo to pugj severely the disobedience of ordera u- . ' pieman, to bring It also becomes my dutjfojS, matters connect to y out attention several ed with the Aministration of J ustice in the State. There is great danger of lawlessness overrun ning the -land ; and in the great abundance of military rulers and arbitrary authority, people are beginning to forget that there is sti.ll such a thing in existence as civil law, which is the mas ter of us all.' Though preeminently a conserva tive and law-abiding people, our society is al ready beginning to suffer serious detriment from the violent and ' law-defying tendencies of the times. Murder, arson, disregard of obligations, oppression and injustice, are more common, in some districts than they have ever been known. Not long since, as I am informed, a Confederate officer refused to permit the execution of a writ of habeas corpus within his camp, issued by com petent authority, and drove the officer with de nunciations and abuse from bis presence. .It should be our pride, as it is our duty and safety, to show -our enemies abroad and our law-breakers at home, that the same glorious o& common law which our fathers honored and observed, in the n&dst of suffering and calamity, is still moving on with power and majesty, strengthening, pro tecting and sustaining our people, as it ever will strengthen and sustain those who respect it. The Geneial Assembly, at its last session, actuated, no doubt, by the most, patriotic motives, passed an act suspending the regular sessions of the Su preme and Superior Courts of Law and Equity. This act, considered by many unconstitutional, was in my judgment, to say the least ot it, un wise in Some of. its provisions. That some re mo dy ought to have been provided protecting pro perty generally from sacrifice, and particularly the property of our brave soldiers who had left , their homes and business for our defence, (if in deed an enlightewed and patriotic public opinion had not already guaranteed that protection,) no one will question, and to this extent meets my apprpval. But the Courts themselves should be opened and the fountains of justice unsealed. The criminal law especially should be diligently administered, for it has been wisely said that "the commission of crime is prevented more by the certainty than the severity of its punishment." Again, persons charged with crime and confined iu prison, even if unlawfully convicted, cannot have their cases reviewed in a court of higher jurisdiction for many months, thus violating that sacred provision in our Dbclaratioa of Bights, which says "that every freeman restrained of his liberty is entitled to a remedy te enquire'into the lawfulness thereof, and to. remove the same if unlawful, and that such remedy ought not to be denied or delayed." I therefore recommend that the regular sessions of the Supreme and Superior Courts be restored. I am also convinced -that whilst the soldier in the field should have his property protected from seizure under execution, there exists no valid rea son' why, in the great plenleousness of money, and the high prices of property, any man should desire to be excused from paying his debts. I think it probable that it might also exert a favor able influence on price?, if men were compelled to part with their surplus property to satisfy their creditors. . in this connection permit me to respectfully re commend that our present circuits be rearran r ed, adding at leat one additional circuit and another Judge thereof. The necessity for this change wifl be apparent from the following con siderations : " . Some of the circuits embrace an extended area of territory with a large amount of business. The seventh cirouit comprises eighteen counties, others more than twelve, and to some, two weeks are allotted. According to existing statutes, the Judges are allowed an annual salary of nineteen hundred and fifty dollars, with the proviso "that in all cases where a circuit of the Superior Courts shall Exceed twelve weeks, the Judges 'holding said Courts at any regular term shall be entitled to a compensation of ninety dollars for the Court of each county exceeding twelve hold by them, to be paid by the public treasurer on the first days of January and July, in addition to their salary aforesaid, and ach week in which a Court shall be held, shall be considered a term." Special terms of the Superior Courts are also held, and for this service a compensation of ninety dollars is given to" be paid by the county in which : the Courtis held. Upon examination it will be found that the amounts thus paid for additional and ex tra Courts exceed th salary of a single Judge. The fourth section of the 102d chapter of the Revised Code provides that "every Judge shall produce a certificate of the Clerk ef each county, of bis having held the courts of tbe county ac cording to law ; and ior every such certificate omitted to be produced, there shall be a deduction from his salary of one hundred dollars. Portions of certain circuits are occupied by the enemy, and it is impossible for the Judges to produce the required certificates. It may be necessary, there fore, to modify this provision to have effect only pending the war. The Hon. Thomas Ruffin. Jr.. residincr in the (-fourth judicial .gjtrouit, having resigned his place as one of tho Judges or the Superior Court of bw and equity, my jmmodiate predecessor, with the -advice of the Council of State, filled said vacancy by granting a temporary commission to the Hon. John Kerr, of Caswell, which will ex pire at the' end of your present session. It is your duty to fill this vacancy permanently. The office of Attorney General has been also vacated by the former incumbent, Hon. W. A. Jenkins, entering the army and accepting an office under the Confederate States. There are also So licitors to be elected for several of the Circuits. There are confined in Salisbury by the Confed erate authorities a number of citizens of North Carolina, arrested for alleged political offences. How long they are to remain incarcerated no one can say but those who apprehended them. What their- guilt really consists in I do not know, but this much it becomes both you and me to know, in view of the oaths we take upon entering into office, that they were not arrested by lawful pro cess, and as citizens of North Carolina they are entitled under the Constitution to a speedy trial by a jury of their peers, and to be confronted with their accusers. I have laid their cases before his Excellency the President of the Confederate States, and when his reply is received you will be informed thereof, bhould there exist any grave State reasons why they are denied a trial, it 'is due at least, that we should be informed of them. I have not seen an official copy of the act. but learn from the newspapers that Congress has con ferred upon the President the power to suspend the writ ot habeas corpus in all cases of arrests made by Confederate authority. If this be once admitted, no man is safe from the power of one individual. He could at pleasure, seise any citi zen of the State with or without excuse, throw him into prison and permit him to languish there without relief a power that I am unwilling to see entrusted to any living man. To submit to its exercise would in my opinion be establishing a precedent dangerous and pernicious in tbe ex treme. Among a people so united and fa thful to tneir cause as our6, where disloyalty is the rare and solitary exception to the general rule, I can sea but little good, but avast tide of inflowing evii from these inordinate stretches of military power which are fast disgracing us equally w.tb our Northern enemies. A 'free Republic that must needs cast off its freedom in every timef trouble will soon cast it off forever. Frexiom. cannot be embraced to-day and spurned tomor row: a steadfast and constant worship can alone secure her countless blessings Br chosen in struments the Constitution ao the laws were made the sure covenant of br everlasting resi dence among us; our delist in times of peace prosperity, and our gi'de and shield in ihpy of trouble and calamity- Now, if ever, be tlQae when we should abide strictly by gte5n de crees, and wk Uprightly in tQAVrow patb ,J?y they hav. marked out ff footsteP- We should least of-all, fors he hel and he ccm paw when the vessf driTen by the tempest, and iWid'fi nd rtris obscure the way. j)e6jly KreBsea as i nave neen with the im portant' . thi8 subject, I have been anxious at thst 6 llme 10 avoid any unnecessary conflict -.Tth the Confederate authorities. I have there fore, waited patiently for your assembling, con fident that you would take proper steps to main tam the laws and preserve the rights of our people. . a It becximee iay duty.iilso', to call your attention mi ue suDjeci or omcerisg our troops in tb j field some conflict of. opinion existing in regard thereto. The right of the State authorities to commis sion the officers of the regiments, orginally raised for the war, is not doubted. It is conceded by the act of Congress of April,16th, 1862, known as the Conscript Law. But the Confederate authorities claim the right to commission the regiments .of twelve month's men, continued in-service by this Uw, and also all regiments whatsoever, raised since it went into operation. And in both cases they have claimed to commission and appoint all regimental staff officers, even when they conceded to the Executive of the 'State the appointments of the officers of the line. Again, while appointing and commissioning field officers, the Secretary, of War .has declined to appoint the company officers. To remedy, if possible, this confusion and to aviod conflict, I called in' person to see the President, who promised to take the opinion of his Attorney General on the subject at length. I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing that ppinion, and now lay the matter befofe you, and recommend you to take such'steps as will preserve the rights and hon or of the State. It may well be doubted if the officering of the whole of our troops does not be long exclusively to State authority, as by strict reference to the Constitution they may be found to be in point of 'law, militia. It is mortifying to find entire brigades of North Carolina soldiers in the field commanded -by strangers, and, in many cases, our own brave and war- worn Colo nels are made to give place to Colonels from dis- i tant States, who are promoted to tbe command of North Carolina troops over their heads to vacant Brigadiersbips. Some of these promotions are charged to North Carolina, which enables the au thorities to say that we have had so many appoint ments, when in fact we have-not, the appointees not being citizens of our State, This is fast break ing down the pride and patience of our officers, many of whom are reporting to rue their inten tion to resign, alleging thai the road to honorable promotion is almost closed to our citizens. This is not right, and forms a just cause ot complaint both' in our army and with our people at home. We are willing that our soldiers should follow any General capable of leading them, but we con tend that as a matter of sheer j ustice, our sojdiers are entitled to receive their fair proportion of the honors won by ther gallantry and enduranoe. I would also recommend that the existing pro hibition against the distillation of spirits from all kinds of grain be continued during the war. There is no grain to spare for such purposes, and all the medical needs of the country and army can be abundantly supplied by the liquors made from the fruit crop. Should even the supply for the army fail, it cannot be doubted that it is much better for the soldier to go without spirits than that his wife and child should be without bread. I also recommend that a law be passed provi ding for a rigid punishment of all persons who may be convicted of speculating in any of the necessaries of life, under the false pretense of be ing government agents. In order to keep the highways 'of the country in better condition, tney having since the com mencement of the war been permitted to get ip very ba repair, I recommend that the Revised Cooie.be so, amended that the. age to be reached to entitle a man to exemption from working on the roads, shall be fifty years instead of forty-five, as now. ' The term of the Hon. George Davis, Confeder ate States' Senator from if. C, will expire before the next regular session of the General Assembly, J and it wiu De your auty io pro viae ior nuing tne vacancy. I take great pleasure in informing you that the. educational interests of the country have not been overlooked since the commencement of my administration. Owing to the great drain upon the Treasury during the first year of the war, the Literary Board deemed it advisable to make only half the usual semi-annual distribution of. the common school fund for the fall of 1861, and none at all for the spring of 18f62. Feeling that this pressure bad passed away, and that the matter was one of great importance to our people, tbe Board, at its recent meeting, ordered the usual distribution to be made, increased by ton thous and dollars from the sum due for the back distri bution, and resolved to add that amount each spring, and fall, until the whole shall have been appropriated. There has been some disposition manifested to take this fund for war purposes. Should there really exists a serious design on the part of any one to do this, which I hardly think probable, I earnestly hope you will promptly de feat it. This small sum could add but little to the vast amount required to conduct the war, and its abstraction would be an absolute robbery of tbe poor children of the State. On tho contrary, it should be your duty to carefully -preserve and if possible increase this fund, make provisions tor its regular aistrioution,- ana ao everything in your power to educate the rising youth of the country. While war is desolating our coast, and the tide of revolution is flowing all around us, let the young children of the State be still assembled in their log .houses and primitive academics, in the mountains and on the plains, and let their first lesson be to read of our great struggle for pivil and religious liberty of the patriotism and sacrifices ot our people, and the glorious bravery of their fathers and brothers upon the blood stained fields of the South. It is of the very high est importance that tbe war should not carry ; away everything useful and civilized in the land, and cause our children to grow up in ignorance and crime. - No one has been more impressed, with the importance of this matter than the able and worthy superintendent of common schools, who has labored faithfully and diligently in be half of his little charges, and has suffered no ex citement or misfortune to turn him from the path of duty. To him,. in a great treasure, is due the keeping alive pf the interests of the people in the well-doing of tbe schools during these times of trouble. Our time-honored old University, though thinned, as have been our mate schools everywhere by the patriotism of the boys who have rushed to fill up our armies, is still in. full operation, the President and Faculty having bravely resolved to hold their position as long as they have a squad to muster. The female schools of the State are generally as flourishing as in times of peace. Both of the Asylums in this city are prospering under the present efficient management a great charity to our people and a credit to the State. - .Of ourinternal improvement system, I deem it unnecessary to make any mention. Since mj ? 1 introduction to office I have received no offlci reports or information as .to the condition or wants of any of the public works requiring legis lative action. Should anything of tbianatpre be brought to my attention, I shall lay it before you in a special message,' In addition to the maturs herein brought to your attention, there 'are several of an important nature about which it- not deemed prudent to speak publicly, but which 1 will, take pleasure in explaining or dinssing verbally with you when denred. Mo j others I have doubtless overlook ed for winch, as well as for the hasty prepara tion af disconnected form of this instrument, I bee-that my recent inauguration fn to office, and ae irany heavy drafts upon 'my time, may be consiuered an apology. In conclusion, gent'emen, auow me to urge uoon vou the vii' importance of bringing forth all the power nd resources of the State for the common tfofenae of our country and our cause. To two great dangers we have to meet will be Jbufld connected with our currencv and iunnlina f or our army. Men enough to protect us and anve DacK.tne invader, we can always get, if we can properly clotbe and feed them. Let us do this and preserve our paper from depreciation, and all will be well. In our intercourse with the author ities of our young Confederacy, having demand ed firmly the rights which are due our State, let us yield them no grudging support, but in all things pertaining to the general weal, sustain and strengthen them with our whole hearts. - And in all official acts let us remember, that it is Ibe spir it of the peopls which tyrants cannot subdue. On this depends all. So long as they continue , narmonious, wiiung, self-iacrificing, the united armies of this continent may be hurled against us in vain ; with such a country and such a people we might get them at defiance. Our heroio sol diers, shivering la their rags and plashing with Useir naked feet threugh the snowvhavJdrtady, even through the chronicles of our. foes, exejted ' the wonderine admiration of the world, and great .Generals and brave people beyond the dis tant waters of the sea stand aghast with astonish ment at the feats of freemen, struggling for their rights. Let us learn of them, and by zeal and discretion displayed for the general good, show to the world that we are worthy, td preside over three gallant and patriotic men. . , - Many of th matters' to which I have eajUd your attention, if done at alL. require to ba done promptly. This is especially. th ease in regard to, the raising of troops for State defence, and to laying an embargo' upon the necessaries of life referred to. . : ; Remember, lastly, that you are laboting for the very salvation of our people. The bitter cap that our captured cities and dtstriots have had to drink, shows us, alas! too plainly,' the meroy we are to expect if our 'Abolition foes should overcome us. In the bitter ness of their baffled rage they have even shown a de termination to re-enact the . horrors of St- Domingo, and to let loose the hellish passions of servile insur rection to revel in the desolation of our homes. Tbe people of the next generation will bless the memory ' of those who, whether in the field or the counsel, helped to rescue their country frpin these horrors, Let us labor to deserve their praise, and may the bles sing of God attend our soldiers and our statesmen, who are struggling to defend a aoble people and a noble cause. Z. B. VANCE. Executive Department, Njv. Wth, 1882. Ordinances and Resolutions or THE N. CAROLINA STATE CONVENTION, NOW READY! TUB SUBSCRIBER HAS PRINTED and offers for sale 606 extra copies of the Ordi nances and Resolutions adopted by the North Caro lina State Convention. As the Convention only had 500 oopies printed, it is expected that the extra n ant her he has printed will be quickly disposed of, and, therefore, those wishing to procure copies would do well to order them rat oaoe. All orders must be ac companied with the cash. Price per copy, $1.1 b When sent by malt, - $2.00 i JNQ. W. SYME, "Printer to the State Convention. For 'sale also at the Bookstores of HENRY D TURNER and W. L. POMEROY. NORTH CAROLINA MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. At tbe annual meeting of the North Carolina Mutual ?ire Insurance Company, held on the 14th January, 1802, the follow Ing persons were elected Directors and Officers for the ensuing year : : DIRECTORS. Henry D. .Turner, Raleigh John R. Williams, do. T. H. Selby, do. C. W. D. Hutohings, do' Kemp. P. Battle, do. . George Little, ; do. James M. Tuwles, de. James E. Hoytj, Washington, Alexander Mitchell, Newborn Jos. Q. Wright Wilmington. . John M. Jones), Edenton.' . fteorge W. Charles, Elisabeth City Jos Ramsay, Plymouth. J. W. Harrell, Murfrees borough ' H. B. Williams, Charlotte. Samuel Watk'as, Milton. A. W. Steel, Fayetteville. Joseph White, Anson county Josh. Boner, Salem. A. P. Summy, Asheville, OFFICER8 OF THE COMPANY' T. H.! Selby, Pretdent. Henry D, Turner, Vice do. John II. Brvmn. Attorn t,. ' - jjr ,r - Hamden S. Smith, Secretary and Treasursr't T. H. John R. Williams, Sjc. CommitUt. C. W. D. Hutchings, J This Company has been in auooessful operation over 13 years, and continues to take risks upon all classes of property, In Tthe State, (except Steam Mills and Turpentine Distilleries) upon favorable terms. Its Policies now cover property amounting to nearly $4,000,009, a large portion of which is in country risks ; and its present capital is over Four Hundred Thousand Dollars, in bonds properly seoure J. All communications in reference to insurance should be addressed to the i Secretary, postpaid. HAMDEN S. SMITH, Sec'y. January 18th, 1862. jM J2 NORTH CAROLINA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE; COMPANY .--OFFICE RALEIGH, N. CTHIS COMPANY takes risks upon ail healthy lives between the ages of 14 and 00 years for one year, for seven years, or for life t he aeturer for life participating in the pro fits Of the Company, glares between the ages of 10 and and 60 years, are 'insured for one or five years, for two-thirds their market value. All losses are paid within 90 days after satisfactory proof is presented.-1 DIRECTORS FOR 1861 AND 1862. Charles E. Johnson, Wm. H. Jones, .ILW. Hasted, P. F. Pescud, K. P. Battle, W. S. Mason, Win. W, Holden, J. Q. Williams, Quentin Busbee, Wm. H, McKee, Charles B. Root, Everard Hall, Rioh'd.11. Battle. OFFICERS. . Dr. Chs E. Johnson, President. W. W. Holden, Vice President H. W. Husted, Attorney. Wm. H. Janes, Treasurer. R. H. Batffle, Socretary. . W. IL McKee, Medical Examiner. W. H. McKee, ") Charles B, Root Executive Committee. Q. Busbee, ; J For further information, the public is referred the pamphlets and forms of proposal, which maybe obtained at the Office of the Company, or any of its Agencies. Address R, H. BATTLE, Secy. Raleigh, Jan. 8th, 1862. Jan 11 Ju$t Run the Blockade ! GOODS- OF ALL KINDS t SHOES, GENTS AND LADIES, NEW est styles. CLOTHS, CAF8IMERES AND TESTINGS. 2,000 patterns, ail fresh and desirable. 2,000 yards North Carolina Cassimere just to hand, la pieces best English Cloths, Bine Navy. ' 20 pieces Black Doeskin and Cassimere, heavy. 60 pieces Crenshaw Cloths and other makes for the Atsaj. MOdosen Enclith Collars for Gents, latett style. 60 dosen flue White Shirts. 2d dosen Gents Black and Colored Kid Gloves. L 100 pieces- Brown Linen for Soldiers' Shirts. ' I Idrt ! T 1-1 . 1 . Jm . x i v proem Aiifiuo fraui ajuj uingnams. 1 case fine Black Dress Silks, the best In the Con federacy. 1500 yards very fine Lustre. 10 pieces Black Satin and 6 pieces White. Satin for Bonnet. ; Clothing of all kinds. jf .t . Ti TTT Tii safrr nrnniT m. 0 a Petersburg, Va. sS4 AT WHITAKBR'S. OCT. 31,' 1862. TUST RECEIVED tl 10OO lbs. Wak Candles at the INDISPENSABLK WHITAKBR'8. 1 BARRELS NO. 1 RICE At the ENERGETIC WHITAKER'S. FEW BARRElTUGAR At the, INIMITABLE WHITAKER'fl. BOXES TOBACCO j 4 E. A WHHAKE& 1 2 Reams Blott in g Paper, 20 Cajes St. J alien Wine, JJoes Pure Staroh. A 20 DAILY EXPECTE D 1OQ0 lbs. Snuff. lOOO Cakes Toilet Soap, - oe 15 A ,f E. A. WHITAKIRHL TJCr4n4a "HOUR OR SIX ABLE jJblHED KEGRO X' MKN, to chop wood, for which good wages will be paid. Apply to,,,, k ; W. L. POMEROY. fTIHE PARTIZAN LEADER, A NOVEL, X and an Apbealypie of the Origin and Straggles of th Southern Ooafederacy. ' By Judge Beverly Taoktvet Virginia .Originally published in Uii. , Price, i V $1.60 When sent by ajsJl ' if !.' ? 'forfait by v r w. L. POMEROX.t
The Raleigh Register (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Nov. 22, 1862, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75