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in pursuance of your resolution, citizens, and not a single bid The Message of

The Message of Jefferson Davis. passed at the last session. Suf- was made under par. The rapid

Jefferson Davis. ficient time has not yet elapsed development of the purpose of since the departure of these Commissioners, for the the President of the United States to invade our soil, receipt of any intelligence from them. As I deem it capture our forts, blockade our ports, and wage war desirable that Commissioners or diplomatic agents against us, induced me to direct that the entire subshould also be sent at an early period to the Inde- scription should be accepted. It will now become pendent American Powers south of our Confederacy, necessary to raise means to a much larger amount to with all of whom it is our interest and earnest wish defray the expenses of maintaining our independence to maintain the most cordial and friendly relations, and repelling invasion. I invite your special attention I suggest the expediency of making the necessary to the subject, and the financial condition of the appropriations for that purpose.

Government, with the suggestion of ways and means Having been officially notified by the public an- for the supply of the Treasury, will be presented to thorities of the State of Virginia that she had with you in a separate communication. drawn from the Union, and desired to maintain the “To the Department of Justice you have confided closest political relations with us which it was pos- not only the organization and supervision of all matsible at this time to establish, I commissioned Hon. ters connected with the Courts of Justice, but also Alexander H. Stephens, Vice-President of the Con- | those connected with Patents and with the Bureau federate States, to represent this Government at of Public Printing. Richmond. I am happy to inform you that he has "Since your adjournment, all the Courts, with the exconcluded a Convention with the State of Virginia ception of those of Mississippi and Texas, have been by which that honored Commonwealth, so long and organized by the appointment of Marshals and Dis. justly distinguished among her sister States, and so trict Attorneys, and are now prepared for the exdear to the hearts of thousands of her children in ercise of their functions. the Confederate States, has united her power and “ In the two States just named, the gentlemen conher fortunes with ours, and become one of us. This firmed as judges declined to accept the appointment, Convention, together with the ordinance of Virginia, and no nominations have yet been inade to fill the adopting the Provisional Constitution of the Confed- vacancies. I refer you to the report of the Attorney eracy, will be laid before you for your constitution General, and concur in his recommendation for al action. I have satisfactory assurances from other immediate legislation, especially on the subject of of our late confederates, that they are on the point patent rights. Early provisions should be made to of adopting similar measures, and I cannot doubt secure to the subjects of foreign nations the full enthat ere you shall have been many weeks in session, joyment of their property in valuable inventions, the whole of the Slaveholding States of the late and to extend to our own citizens protection, not Union will respond to the call of honor and affeconly for their own inventions, but for such as may tion, and by uniting their fortunes with ours, pro- have been assigned to them, or may hereafter be mote our common interests and secure our common assigned by persons not alien enemies. safety.

“ The patent office business is much more exten. . “ In the Treasury Department, regulations have sive and important than had been anticipated. been devised and put into execution for carrying the applications for patents, although confined out the policy indicated in your legislation on the under the law exclusively to citizens of our Consubject of the navigation of the Mississippi River, as federacy, average seventy per month, showing the well as for the collection of revenue on the frontier. necessity for the prompt organization of a Bureau of Free transit has been secured for vessels and mer- Patents. chandise passing through the Confederate States ; “ The Secretary of War', in his report and accompaand delay and inconvenience have been avoided as nying documents, conveys full information concerning far as possible in organizing the revenue service for the force, regular, volunteer and provisional, raised the various railways entering our territory. As fast and called for under the several acts of Congress, as experience shall indicate the possibility of im- their organization and distribution. Also an acprovement in these regulations, no efforts will be count of the expenditures already made, and further spared to free commerce from all unnecessary em- estimates for the fiscal year ending on the 18th Febbarrassments and obstructions.

ruary, 1862, rendered necessary by recent events. "Under your act authorizing a loan, proposals I refer to his report also, for a full history of the oce were issued inviting subscriptions for five millions currences in Charleston harbor, prior to and includ. of dollars, and the call was answered by the prompting the bombardment and reduction of Fort Sumter, subscription of more than eight millions by our own and of the measures subsequently taken for the com

mon defense, on receiving intel. , auditor of the Treasury for this The Message of

The Message of Jefferson Davis. ligence of the declaration of war | Department is necessary, and a

Jefferson Davis. against us made by the President plan is submitted for the orof the United States. There are now in the field at ganization of his Bureau. The great number and Charleston, Pensacola, Forts Morgan, Jackson, St. magnitude of the accounts of this Department rePhillip and Pulaski, nineteen thonsand men, and six- quire an increase of the clerical force in the account. teen thousand are now en route for Virginia. It is pro- ing branch in the Treasury. The revenues of this posed to organize and hold in readiness for action, in Department are collected and disbursed in modes view of the present exigencies of the country, an peculiar to itself, and require a special Bureau to se. army of one hundred thousand men. If further cure a proper accountability in the administration force should be needed, the wisdom and patriotism of its finances. of Congress will be confidently appealed to for “I call your attention to the additional legislation authority to call into the field additional numbers of required for this Department, to the recommendaour noble-spirited volunteers, who are constantly tion for changes in the law fixing the rates of posttendering service far in excess of our wants.

age on newspapers, periodicals and sealed packages “ The operations of the Navy Department have of certain kinds, and specially to the recommendabeen necessarily restricted by the fact that sufficient tion of the Secretary, in which I concur, that you time has not yet elapsed for the purchase or con provide at once for the assumption by him of the struction of more than a limited number of vessels control of our entire postal service. adapted to the public service. Two vessels purchased “ In the military organization of the States, prohave been named the Sumter and Macree, and are vision is made for Brigadier and Major-Generals ; now being prepared for sea, at New Orleans, with but in the army of the Confederate States the highall possible dispatch. Contracts have also been est grade is that of Brigadier-General. Hence it made at that city with two different establishments will no doubt sometimes occur that where troops of for the casting of ordnance, cannon, shot, and shell, the Confederacy do duty with the militia, the Genewith the view to encourage the manufacture of these ral selected for the command and possessed of the articles, so indispensable for our defense, at as many views and purposes of this Government, will be supoints within our territory as possible.

perseded by an officer of the militia not having the " I call your attention to the recommendation of same advantages. To avoid this contingency in the the Secretary for the establishment of a magazine least objectionable manner, I recommend that and laboratory for preparation of ordnance stores, additional rank be given to the General of the Conand the necessary appropriation for that purpose. federate army, and concurring in the policy of hav. Hitherto such stores have usually been pre- ing but one grade of Generals in the army of the pared at the Navy-yards, and no appropriation was Confederacy, I recommend that the law of its organmade at your last session for this object.

ization be amended, so that the grade be that of “ The Secretary also calls attention to the fact that General. no provision has been made for the payment of in- " To secure a thorough military education, it is valid pensions to our own citizens. Many of these deemed essential that officers should enter upon persons are advanced in life, they have no means of the study of their profession at an early period of life, support, and by the secession of these States, have and have elementary instruction in a military school. been deprived of their claim against the Govern- Until such school shall be established, it is recomment of the United States. I recommend the ap. mended that cadets be appointed and attached to propriation of the sum necessary to pay these pen- companies until they shall have attained the age sioners, as well as those of the army, whose claims and have acquired the knowledge to fit them for the can scarcely exceed $70,000 per annum.

duties of Lieutenants. “ The Postmaster-General has already succeeded “ I also call your attention to an omission in the law in organizing his department to such an extent as organizing the army, in relation to military chapto be in readiness to assume the direction of our lains, and recommend that provision be made for postal affairs, on the occurrence of the contingency their appointment. contemplated by the Act of March 15, 1861, or even In conclusion, I congratulate you on the fact that, 800ner if desired by Congress. The various books in every portion of our country, there has been ex. and circulars have been prepared and measures taken hibited the most patriotic devotion to our common to secure supplies of blanks, postage stamps, stamp. cause. Transportation companies have freely ten. ed envelopes, mail-bags, locks, keys, &c. He pre- dered the use of their lines for troops and supplies. sents a detailed classification and arrangement of The Presidents of the railroads of the Confederahis clerical force, and asks for its increase. Ancy, in company with others who control lines of,

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Jefferson Davis.

communication with States that reliance on that Divine Power which covers with its The Message of

we hope soon to greet assisters, protection the just cause, we will continue to strug.

assembled in Convention in this gle for our inherent right to freedom, independence city, and not only reduced largely the rates heretofore and self-government. JEFFERSON DAVIS. demanded for mail service and conveyance of troops “ MONTGOMERY, April 29th, 1861." and munitions, but voluntarily proffered to receive This we have called a singular and remarktheir compensation at these reduced rates in the able document. As a tissue of misconcepbonds of the Confederacy, for the purpose of leaving tions of acte, misconstructions of facts, mis. all the resources of the Government at its disposal statements of truths, it certainly will bear for the common defense. Requisitions for troops the character we claim for it. We can leave have been met with such alacrity that the numbers it to posterity to adjudge its place in the tendering their services have in every instance greatly exceeded the demand. Men of the highest official history of the struggle which it essayed to and social position are serving as volunteers in the inaugurate and to justify.

The deliberations of the ranks. The gravity of age and the zeal of youth rival

Act Recognizing a each other in the desire to be foremost in the public Congress were wholly de

« State of War." defense; and though at no other point than the one

voted to providing for a heretofore noticed, have they been stimulated by the state of war. May 6th, the “ Act Recoguizing excitement incident to actual engagement and the a State of War with the United States" was hope of distinction for individual achievement, they first published. It was almost wholly debave borne what for new troops is the most severe voted to specifications for the issue of letters ordeal, patient toil and constant vigil, and all the ex

of marque, and for the conduct of privateers. posure and discomfort of active service, with a reso

It read, at length, as follows: lution and fortitude such as to command approba

“Whorcas, The earnest efforts made by this Gov. tion and justify the highest expectation of their con

ernment to establish friendly relations between the duct when active valor shall be required in place of Government of the United States and the Confedsteady endurance.

crate States, and to settle all questions of disagree. “ A people thus united and resolved cannot shrink

ment between the two Governments upon principles from any sacrifice which they may be called on to

of right, justice, equity, and good faith, have proved make, nor can there be a reasonable doubt of their unavailing, by reason of the refusal of the Governfinal success, however long and severe may be the

ment of the United States to hold any intercourse text of their determination to maintain their birth- with the Commissioners appointed by this Governright of freedom and equality, as a trust which it is

ment for the purposes aforesaid, or to listen to any their first duty to transmit undiminished to their proposal they had to make for the peaceful solution posterity.

of all causes of difficulties between the two Govern* A bounteous Providence cheers us with the

ments; and whereas, the President of the United promise of abundant crops. The fields of grain which

States of America has issued his proclamation, makwill, within a few weeks, be ready for the sickle, give ing requisition upon the States of the American assurance of the amplest supply of food for man;

Union for seventy-five thousand men, for the purwhile the corn, cotton and other staple productions pose as therein indicated of capturing forts and of our soil afford abundant proof that up to this pe- other strongholds within the jurisdiction of, and beriod the season has been propitious.

longing to, the Confederate States of America, and "We feel that our cause is just and holy; we protest has detailed naval armaments upon the coasts of solemnly, in the face of mankind, that we desire

the Confederate States of America, and raised, orpeace at any sacrifice save that of honor and inde-ganized, and equipped a large military force to expendence; we seek no conquest, no aggrandizement, ecute the purpose aforesaid, and has issued his other no concession of any kind from the States with which proclamation, announcing his purpose to set on foot we were lately confederated ; all we ask is to be let

a blockade of the ports of the Confederate States; alone; that those who never held power over us,

and whereas, the State of Virginia has seceded from should not now attempt our sabjugation by arms.

the Federal Union, and entered into a convention This we will, this we must resist to the direst extre

of alliance, offensive and defensive, with the Con. mity. The moment that this pretension is abandoned,

federate States, and has adopted the Provisional the sword will drop from our grasp, and we shall

Constitution of the said States, and the States of be ready to enter into treaties of amity and com

Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, merce that cannot but be mutually beneficial. So

Arkansas, and Missouri have refused, and it is be. long as this preteusion is maintained, with a firm

State of War.

ants of the Territories of Arizona Secretary of State, or shall be Act Recognizing a

Act Recognizing a and New Mexico, and the Indian delivered to any other officer

State of War. Territory south of Kansas, will or person who shall be emrefuse to co-operate with the Government of the Uni. ployed to deliver out such commissions, to be by ted States in these acts of hostilities and wanton ag. him transmitted to the Secretary of State. gression, which are plainly intended to overawe, op- “SEC. 4. That, before any commission or letters press, and finally subjugate the people of the Con- of marque and reprisal shall be issued as aforesaid, federate States; and whereas, by the acts and means the owner or owners of the ship or vessel for which aforesaid, war exists between the Confederate States the same shall be requested, and the commander and the Government of the United States, and the thereof for the time being, shall give bond to the States and Territories thereof, excepting the States Confederate States, with at least two responsible of Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, sureties, not interested in such vessel, in the penal Arkansas, Missouri, and Delaware, and the Terri. sum of five thousand dollars; or if such vessels be tories of Arizona and New Mexico, and the Indian provided with more than one hundred and fifty men, Territory south of Kansas; therefore,

then in the penal sum of ten thousand dollars; with “ Section 1. The Congress of the Confederate States condition that the owners, officers and crew, who of Amurica do enact, That the President of the Con- shall be employed on board such commissioned ves. federate States is hereby authorized to use the whole sel, shall and will observe the laws of the Confede land and naval force of the Confederate States to rate States, and the instructions which shall be meet the war thus commenced, and to issue to pri- given them according to law, for the regulation of vate armed vessels commissions, or letters of marque their conduct; and will satisfy all damages and inand general reprisal, in such form as he shall think juries which shall be done or committed contrary proper, under the seal of the Confederate States, to the tenor thereof, by such vessel, during her como against the vessels, goods, and effects of the Gov. mission, and to deliver up the same when revoked ernment of the United States, and of the citizens or by the President of the Confederate States. inhabitants of the States and Territories thereof, “ Sec. 5. That all captures and prizes of vessels except the States and Territories hereinbefore nam- and property shall be forfeited, and shall accrue to ed. Provided, however, that property of the enemy, the owners, officers and crews of the vessels by (unless it be contraband of war) laden on board a whom such captures and prizes shall be made; and, neutral vessel, shall not be subject to seizure under on due condemnation had, shall be distributed acthis act; and provided further, that vessels of the cording to any written agreement which shall be citizens or inhabitants of the United States now in made between them; and if there be no such writthe ports of the Confederate States, except such as ten agreement, then one moiety to the owners, and have been, since the 5th of April last, or may here. the other moiety to the officers and crew, as nearly after be, in the service of the Government of the as may be, according to the rules prescribed for the United States, shall be allowed thirty days after the distribution of prize money by the laws of the Con. publication of this act to leave said ports and reach federate States. their destination; and such vessels and their car- “Sec. 6. That all vessels, goods, and effects, the goes, excepting articles contraband of war, shall property of any citizen of the Confederate States, not be subject to capture under this act, during or of persons resident within and under the protecsaid period, unless they shall have previously reach- tion of the Confederate States, or of persons permaed the destination for which they were bound on nently within the Territories, and under the protecleaving said ports.

tion of any foreign prince, Government, or State in “ Sec. 2. That the President of the Confederate amity with the Confederate States, which shall have States shall be, and he is hereby authorized and been captured by the United States, and which shall empowered to revoke and annul at pleasure all let- be recaptured by vessels commissioned as aforesaid, ters of marque and reprisal which he may at any shall be restored to the lawful owners, upon pay. time grant pursuant to this act.

ment by them of a just and reasonable salvage, to “Sec. 3. That all persons applying for letters be determined by the mutual agreement of the par. of marque and reprisal, pursuant to this act, shall ties concerned, or by the decree of any court hav. state in writing the name, and a suitable descrip- ing jurisdiction, according to the nature of each tion of the tonnage and force of the vessel, and the case, agreeably to the provisions established by law. name and place of residence of each owner concern- And such salvage shall be distributed among the ed therein, and the intended number of the crew; owners, officers, and crews of the vessels commis. which statement shall be signed by the person or sioned as aforesaid, and making such capture, acpersons making such application, and filed with the cording to any written agreement which shall be

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made between them; and in be of equal or inferior force, Act Recognizing a

Act Recognizing a case of no such agreement, the same to be divided as in State of War.

State of War. then in the same manner and other cases of prize money; and upon the principles hereinbefore provided in case a bounty of twenty-five dollars shall be paid to the of capture.

owners, officers, and crews of the private armed “Sec. 7. That before breaking bulk of any vessel vessels, commissioned as aforesaid, for each and which shall be captured as aforesaid, or other dis- every prisoner by them captured and brought into posal or conversion thereof, or of any articles which port, and delivered to an agent authorized to reshall be found on board the same, such captured ceive them, in any port of the Confederate States; vessel, goods or effects, shall be brought into some and the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorport of the Confederate States, or of a nation or State ized to pay or cause to be paid to the owners, offiin amity with the Confederate States, and shall be cers, and crews of such private armed vessels, comproceeded against before a competent tribunal; and missioned as aforesaid, or their agent, the bounties after condemnation and forfeiture thereof, shall be herein provided. long to the owners, officers, and crew of the vessel “ Sec. 11. That the commanding officer of every capturing the same, and be distributed as before vessel having a commission, or letters of marque provided; and in the case of all captured vessels, and reprisal, during the present hostilities between goods and effects, which shall be brought within the Confederate States and the United States, shall the jurisdiction of the Confederate States, the Dis- keep a regular journal, containing a true and exact trict Courts of the Confederate States shall have ex account of his daily proceedings and transactions closive original cognizance thereof, as in civil causes

with such vessel and the crew thereof; the ports of admiralty and maritime juri-diction; and the said and places he shall put into, or cast anchor in; the courts, or the courts, being courts of the Confede- time of his stay there, and the cause thereof; the rate States, into which such causes shall be remov- prizes he shall take, and the nature and probable ed, and in which they shall be finally decided, shall value thereof; the times and places when and and may decree restitution, in whole or in part, where taken, and in what manner he shall dispose when the capture shall have been made without just of the same; the ships or vessels he shall fall in cause. And if made without probable cause, may with; the times and places when and where he order a nd decree damages and costs to the party shall meet with them, and his observations and reinjured, for which the owners and commanders of marks thereon; also, of whatever else shall occur the vessels making such captures, and also the ves. to him, or any of his officers or marines, or be dissels, shall be liable.

covered by examination or conference with any "Sec. 8. That all persons found on board of any marines or passengers of or in any other ships or captured vessels, or on board any recaptured ves- vessels, or by any other means, touching the fleets, sels, shall be reported to the collector of the port vessels, and forces of the United States; their posts in the Confederate States in which they shall first and places of station and destination, strength, num. arrive, and shall be delivered into the custody of the bers, intents, and designs; and such commanding marshal of the district, or some court or military of- officer shall, immediately on his arrival in any port ficer of the Confederate States, or of any State in or of the Confederate States, from or during the connear such port, who shall take charge of their safe tinuance of any voyage or cruise, produce his comkeeping and support, at the expense of the Confed- mission for such vessel, and deliver up such journal, erate States.

so kept as aforesaid, signed with his proper name “Sec. 9. That the President of the Confederate and handwriting, to the collector or other chief ofStates is hereby authorized to establish an order ficer of the customs at or nearest to such port; the suitable instructions for the better governing and truth of such journal shall be verified by the oath of directing the conduct of the vessels so commission- | the commanding officer for the time being; and such ed, their officers and crews, copies of which shall be collector or other chief officer of the customs shall, delivered, by the collector of the customs, to the immediately on the arrival of such vessel, order the commanders, when they shall give bond as before proper officer of the customs to go on board and provided.

take an account of the officers and men, the number “Sec. 10. That a bounty shall be paid by the Con- and nature of the guns, and whatever else shall oc. federate States of twenty dollars for each person on

cur to him on examination, material to be known: board any armed ship or vessel belonging to the and no such vessel shall be permitted to sail ont United States at the commencement of an engage- of port again until such journal shall have been dement, which shall be burnt, sunk, or destroyed by livered up, and a certificate obtained under the hand any vessel commissioned as aforesaid, which shall of such collector or other chief officer of the customs