The Greensborough patriot [November 27, 1862]

              Sjre (§mmbaxo _
•
VOL. XXIV. GREENSBOROUGH, N. C, NOVEMBER 27, 1862. NO. 1,226.
w.
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, KY
S, SHERWOOD,
EDITOR AM) I'KOPRIETOR.
lipbMH W. Ineold. Assistant Editor.
'.IMS, V2.UO A YEAH IN ADVANCE,
res of A<l\crtlnfng.
square, for the first week, and
fortTery week thereafter. Twelve
■‥ꀀ†a square. Deductions made in
nding mattei as follows:
TI18. G KONTII8. .YEAR.
I • • >6.60 *
; < o lo.oo H.oo
10.00 15 00 20.00
[KST M KSSAGE
.,,,,- - or,
WV.Z. B. VANCE,
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
NORTH ( 4 It O I. I V A .
wlien the State
eh i.-i now waging
Honorable, the General Assembly :
Certainly a Legislature has never been
• ■I in tbe Stalo of North-Carolina to
ater interests or meet greater
iHibilities.
E ^bteen months ago,
■ n e'od into tlie war, wli
■. . lite and buoyancy and excitement.
y ! our undertaking and the
asm. of our pepple in support of our
' only rendered the course of the
uare. and liio Executive easy, but
i 'led and marked itout. But
the i mg continuance of the contest, the
(daughter of our soldiers, the occupation of
our t< rritory hy the enemy, the destruc-tion
of our homes, and the blockaded con-ditiou
of our coast, have reduced us to
straits, -.i rise to A class of evils, in
tin | BO oi which ephemeral patriotism
must perish, and the tiusel enthusiasm of
novelty give place to thai stern and deter-mined
devotion to oar cause, which alone
u ;tain a revolution.
It now becomes the duty of you, the
imbly, toset an example to
mstituenta ol firmness, prudence.
ination and ; to correct tho
>i the past, to provide for tho exi-gew
i ; the future, anil to use well and
r vested in your body by
on, for tne protection of our
■-• ' ies.
lliu subject of first importance is iho
pr i ol the war, and the moans of
IUI State against the invasion of
l'!u. T, rislature, by several
vided i hat. in case tho
> (iov inbuilt should fail or
ido for ih' defence of North
''' Cover nuld be author-
■ n number of troops for
. ai I ma l« appropriations of
eirsupport. Impressed with
ess condition of our eastern
when i came into office, 1 bad
mined to avail myself of this
I w proceeded at
so, hut for the intervention of
lifl ies The principal
ie rin- ript law passed by
Congress subsequent to
B.ige i the several acto referred to.
d in its provisions
re i he ailj mrnment of
lii i men, between
en m I forty-five years,
■ r tent us S'tl tiers ol
i To raise an
f r Si e from
I he age ol forty five,
ade.
our
and
at ilr.HU lies
ai icabl I hoped,
Oes, I thought
1111:g a I . II ill the
oo, that
execui ion
on law, 1 would bo effectually
; >r Smt.: defence. This reason a-has,
I regret to Bay, been disap-i
. ... id although North Carolina has
extent of sea.coast than any
lie lias Dad fewer troops given
its defence.
product is perhaps larger by many hundred
thousand bushels than has ever been
known. When this is considered, together
with tho immense crop of peas, potatoes,
fruits, ilc, there would seem to he little
danger of any actual suffering among our
people—nor would there be, could it all be
properly distributed and at reasonable
pri-cs. jiiit the demon of speculation and
extortion seems to have seized upan nearly-all
sorts and conditions ot men, and all tbe
necessaries of life are fast getting beyond
the reach of the poor.
Flour, which if properly left to tho laws
of supply and demand could not have risen
to more than double peace rales, can now
be used only by the rich.
Everything has a tendency upward in
the same proportion, leather, woolen cloth
and cotton goods have been made the
especial means of extortion. As if we
were not sufficiently afflicted with the base
and avaricious in our own midst, specula-tors
from distant States swarm in the land
offering fabulous prices for everything they
can buy. And in many instances, taking
advantage of the patriotism ot our people,
they represcut themselves as agents of tho
Government, purchasing for the army—
thus obtaining what they eould not other-wise
do. Tbe supply of sail will, I hope,
be sufficient, but this subject, too, needs
legislative action. Dr. Worth the salt
commissioner appointed by tho Convention
has been industriously at work ; but he has
not produced a great quantity, owing to
the difficulties which he has mentioned in
his reports. His first works, at Morehcad
City, were taken by tho enemy before he-had
fairly gotten them into operation. His
next effort at Wilmington was successful
in producing about 25U bushels per day,
for some time before they were interrupted
by tiie yell w-fever, which has caused their
temporary suspension. As the pestilence
has abated, they will of course be immedi
ately again put into operation. The whole
amount made there by the State and pri-vate
indiduals probably exceeds 2,51)0 bush
els per day. Nearly all of this mado on
private account is bought by citizens of
other States and carried off for specula-tion,
at pi-ices ranging from §12 to S20
per bushel.
My predecessor, Gov. Clark also enter-ed
into a contract through N. W. Woodfin
and (Jeo. WMordicai, Esqrs., with Stewart,
Buchanan & Co. of Sakville, Va.. for tbe
prit ilege ofmanufacturing 340,000 bushels
of salt, and Mr. Woodfin was made Super-intendent
of tho Works. With commenda-ble
energy he has pushed forward his
undertaking, and there are now, as
reported to me by a specialageut sent to
visit the establishment, about 201' kettles
in operation, making near 1200 bushels per
day. Owing to his sickness the Superin-tendent
has made no official report to me
of his operations and expenditures.
I recommend that your Honorable body
shall take immedii ps to prevent the
exportation from tho State ofsalt, leather,
sin.es, woolen cloth co',on cloth, yarn pork
and bacon, flour and potatoes—except for
the army and by regular agents of the
government; and except when purchased
by any county and corporate authorities of
our sistei States, under such regulations as
willaraotinl factory pr. of thai such
articles are for pi ivate
distribution to toe po ■
towns,&c . and
use, or charitable
of such couniies,
i oi tor speculation—not,
bow. rer, in v. . i , uf Bnv DXjB)
coutructs mad,- by our citizens with
tens t f other Slates. This is all the
remedy i can suggesl foi the evils of
extortion—history aid common sense
having taught us the danger id trying to
force trade, which refuses te be governed
by any but natural laws. All wo can do is
to aid these well established laws, as the
skillfull physician assists nature in ihe
checking of disease. Violent and forcible
measures have long since bten condemned
by civilized statesmen,and could not only
seive to to dry up the sources ot oui indus-try,
and lessen th • productions of the
great and almost insurmountable difficul-ties
encountered by the Qua. termaster's
Department in providing clothing, shoes
and blankets for our troops. During the
administration of my predecessor, an
arrangement was entered into (according
to a resolution of the General Assembly)
with the Quartermaster's Department of
the Confederate States, by which North
Carolina was to receive the commutation
clothing money of her troops and clot.ie
and shoo them herself. And on our agree-ing
to sell the Confederate authorities all
the surplu" supplies that could be procured
in the State, they agreed to withdraw their
agents from our markets, and leave the
Slate agents me whole field without com-petition.
This would have enabled the
Stale to clothe and shoe her troops comfor-tably,
and could have furnished to the
Confederate States all that was to be had
anyhow at reasonable rates. But it was
immediately violated. Tho country was
soon, and is still, swarming with agen'.s of
the Confederate Government, stripping bare
our markets and pnlting enormous prices
upon our agents. This is especially 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 ojr agreement to furuish them
ourselves. When a large portion of our
army tin's fall by the accidents of battle
and other cause, lost ;heir baggage, it was
found impossible at once to replace it.—
Sorely pressed as to the best course to bo
pursued, I published an appeal to our peo-ple
in behalf of their brothers in the field,
and employed the militia officers for the
collection of articles donated or sold ; and
though the response has been at once grati-fying
and patriotic, yet it is necessarily
slow and un ortuin : and 1 regret to say
that the heroes of Boons.-oro', Sharpsburo-and
other glorious fields, have suffered and
arc still suffering greatly for the want of
shoes and clothing. Every possible exer-tion
has been made for their relief; but
while the agents of the Confederacy are
allowed to comp eto with ours, and specula-tors
are allowed to carry our leather be
yond our borders, it will be impossible to
supply them. 1 earnestly r'commend an
embargo upon this article, as before
mentioned.
i am gratified that I am able to state that
the prospect of obtaining cotton cloths
at reasonable rates is belter than it has
been. The stockholders of the Rockfish
manufacturing company, one of the largest
and most enterprising in tho State, have
agreed to sell all their productions at 75
per cent, upon cost, the rale allowed hy the
exemption bill, which will reduce the
price about one half; and some Savon or
night companies have intimated an inten-tion
of following their praiseworthy exam-ple.
We may reasonably hope that most
of ttie other mills in tho Stale can bo
ii duced to do likewise. The woolen
factories seem moro incorrigible. Some of
them when asked to furnish their goods at
75 per cont. declined entirely, and others
agree to do so hy fixing enormous profits
on the cost of the raw material and then
adding the 75 per cent, on tho finished
article, making their profits even greater
(ban before. It is greatly to bo regretted
tna' these most isefol and to bo cherished
institutions should put themselves in a
position, which will cause them to bo exe-crate
i by our ; eopleon the return <9 peace.
Bui as tbe tree trade policy oppressed
th m in timesof peace, so they seem dcter-mined
t" have no mercy upon us during
theexistence ol ihe war I recommend
them lo your tender m-rcies gentlemen
and «'. ul ! respectfully suggest that you
adopt such measures as may seem practica-ble
for securing supplies to our own citizens
firs' and to reduce il possible tbe price of
cotton yarn, wine!' is so essential to sup-plying
the hand looms of our farmer's
wive-.
in relati >n to ordnance stores, I will
mention that nearly a year ago, a contract
at least ought to be punctually paid. There
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 from the Confederate
Government the sum duo the State. Indeed
this sum, when received, ought to be applied
forthwith to the extinguishment of the
debt of the State, as far as it will go; for it
constitutes a part ot the capital of the
Slate debt, and ought to be applied, when
returned, towards the extinction of that
amount of its capital. Upon correct prin-ciples
therefore of financial econmy, tho
debt ought not to be allowed to grow any
larger, it practicable to prevent it. And if
the payment of the entire amount of inter-est
ca..not be provided for by taxation, as
mucb at least, as possible, ought to bo so
raised. In regard to tbe subject of taxation,
interesting at all times, and rendered doub-ly
so at this eventful crisis, I have but few
remarks to make. There has been such a
disturbance in the industrial pursuits of
the country within a very recent period,
that it is difficult for one, who may not at
once have been present in all parts of the
State, to fully realize it. You bring with
you this knowledge, and can better apply
it fiorn what you have soon than from what
J can recommend. I shall therefore ven-ture
but one suggestion upon the subject,
because of what 1 have heard.
By ordinance No. 22 of June 1861, which
is now a part of the Constitution of the
Slate, it is provided that land and slaves
shall bo taxed according to their value, and
tbe valuos of both taxed alike; and that
the tax on slaves may belaid on their gen-eral
average value in tbe State, or on their
value, in classes in respect to age, sex and
other distinctive properties, in the discre
tion of the General Assembly, and the value
bo assessed in such modes as may be
prescribed bj- law. Now while lands, even
of the same qualities, but situate in diffeient
places, from their local and immovable
character are properly assessed at different
rates, because ot their relative proximity
to markets and for other substantial causes;
(and for such reasons the General Assem-bly
itself, can neither accurately value real
estate, nor can do so by any general State
commissioners,) yet some steps may be
taken towards equalizing the fax on slaves,
which, under the present mode of assess-me
nts, may be, and I understand is, various
in many counties of the State, because of
the different standard of valuation adopted
by the owners and assessors. It is very
desirable that the tax should be uniform,
and 1 suggest as tho most likely means lo
accomplish that object, the propriety of
classifying slaves by their ages, or by sex
and age. and affixing for two years the
taxable value ol each class. In consequence
of the moveable quality of this species of
property, it is not subject to the irregular-ity
of assessment, whieli attend land, the
value of slave property at any one place in
the State is. for all piactical purposes, the
same as in any other; and it is not difficult
mend the creation of the office of Auditor of to be excused fro
fuoiie Accounts, to continue so foi." .-
may be deemed necessary, whose duty i|
shall be to investigate anu aeltl. dm*
against the State, &<■. When the term of
the present Bo-.rd of Claims snail aspire,
will still be necessary to have t»roe »u< b n
office <a existence during th. .. ,.,,
of the war, and perhaps for inan j
after. Should it not be deemed advi
establish tbe office of Auditor, ihe., i .,.
commeud that tbe Board of Claims be con-tinued,
and authorized to hold abort ses-sions
quarterly, and their pay t•, be uri «
ed in proportion lo their labor.
I also lecommend that the Litetarj
Board be allowed to appoin a Tn
to take charge of its own funds, with a
salary to be fixed by the Boa ». This duty
at present rests on the State Treasurai and
the law requires him to kee| the fund aid
evidences of debt, Ac., separate and upai
from any other funds in his bands. The
duty could be performed by tjic Board'*
own officer. When the amount pi ihi-fund
is considered, (the annual di-bm--
ments being double that of the wb.de State
Government two years ago,; wit!
further fact that twice a reasonable Milun
or a Treasurer has been lost ai.nu.dh foi
wantof some competent and proper offieer
to look after and collect the debts ■ f the
Board, I feel assured that the adoption of
the suggestion would be of material ad% i i.-
tago to its interests.
I beg leave to make certain suggestions
in regard to the militia and to aiding tin
Confederate authorities in enforcing ihi ir
efforts to maintain the efficiency oi .or
armies.
The ordinary penalties prescribed by u
Militia laws for the punishment ofoffences,
disobedience ot orders, &c, adapted
peace times, are found now entirely ini
quale. Wishing to spare our citizens
disagreeable spectacle oi Cont rfoi He sol-diers
traversing the coontrj t.. gather up
delinquent conscripts, desert. * HI
m paring his debts. I
thin!* ii pr.ji aide, thai n might al- . » x.-rt a
favorable nfluenc. on pr. es. if ,„0n were
compelled lo par- with their surplus prop-erly
t I -;,l-lv th-dr T.d t- rs.
. ' '>'■ ' ' p- II. it m t respect-
■ †† †† ††l •' • , .
1 ■
:' Ji ' ihereof.
1 IV for this eh u ;'c All .• :lp.
pniie. t fr»ni •... lull twine . ittoos :
S m« "i ilicciriuiif em u cxteti
'" ■ • f rrit iy with large amount
.'• hi,.in,-.- Th- .- • ■ ii in mprisea
' OUlities, ..!l • is more than l« elve
■"'■ '"•me. twn we. KS ;.;. :,'|..;i,d.—
Accfiiding to existing natatee, the Jadget
11 allowed no annual salary ol ninteei
! and 8ftj d ■
ih ,t in ai canes a here a uin ail of the
Superioi Courts phali sxceed twelve W«N
■ †■' ■■ • ' b-Idinp -ad Com is at an]
r ttulartern aball bo entitled to a comaen-satn
n fnim iy liar f.-i the Conrl ol
" !• y . .\ e ling i w. Ire held by
n in ■■• ■ i . .■ i y be public tn saver
1 a< in- 'i >- .iiiiiu n \ uud July in
■i 0 i • . -am. ..I >r< -ad, HI d • •( h
week in .. ; ch i i ourt u* < ui lit -i nil
-p..
-
z
■
country. Ihe same remarks apply to was made by my predecessor, und sin
'iS:,'sl- ' «"»" ex- two hundred thousand bushels ofcorn aid
ve.y in the hands ol toe Confederate five hundred thousand pounds of pork to
•r take steps to carry out the be sold to thorn at rates sufficient to cover
alure< ",d '*■«« "-oops ; the cost, transportation, &c It can now
in State authority to strengthen the be bought in the Eastern couniies at
I tbe txoneral Government on moderate prices, and is in danger of
; destruction by th,
er-r
e
P
to
rt
ey
ar-v
ready to begin operations on a scale
sufficient to make about 4,000 pounds per
.- ibais ing on tho abundant 8UD- States will furnish "he mills with
l deem this a matter ... tbe very highest 3,000 pounds of nitre nor week
astern counties could benefit importance. Nothing would M cheer and The department ha^Contracted with
whoh State, by aiding ,r, w.thdraw.ng encourage oursoildiers in the discharge of manufacturers in h.e S u'e f r nbont "00
iantit.es of proven, from exposed duty as toknow that their State was provi- new.iflee per month, and arra^em,^
dingforthoso at home dearer to tnem than have been made wherebv aft. •- the 1st nf
nachaenmay become necessary life; and nothing would so dispirit and January, .boot800 old riflefmnd moJkeS
labor to bo employed on Slate demoralize , hem as to know that those out of Repair will be rendered fit for^ervlw
-. and my authority to force such dear ones were sufferine I And it is hoood thV .il. „V. 1 / ii
. questioned by some, 1 would Indeed, the solSfe" shivering ihrou.h i be^b.t I'ke"^'^: Itrli:
I recommend the propriety ot the snow, of the c .ming winter and offering thousand men \ detailed reiort of .he
- . such authority may be Ibis blood day by day for our defence, has lh°
•V",J,' a-esnch urgent necessity a right to expect thai hie country will not
;s W1" Ju8"fy 't- permit bis a fe and little ones to cry in
tbe importance t » tho defence of vain for bread ; and while there is a morse'
therefore to ruako the tax both equal and
uniform by the classification of slaves in
the manner already mentioned.
Under the discretionary powers vested
by the Constitution in tho Legislature to
exempt the infirm and distinguish the me-chanic
from the field laborer, it appears to
mo that tho legislative assessment, discreet-ly
made, will conduce belter than the pres-ent
mode to a uniform taxation throughout
the Slate. Each county is interested that
tho taxable value of slaves should be alike
in all the counties, and whatever tends to
equalize that on land, inasmuch as both
species of property must be taxed alike on
their respective values. A precedent for
this mode of taxing slaves, however imper-fect,
may be found in the legislation of 1782,
ch. 8.
In order to meet the intorest or the
public debt, and to make up tho sum due
from counties, where tho tax cannot be
collected on account of tho 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, 1 think, enable the people
lo pay it cheerfully. I also recommend that
a tax of twenty five per cent, be paid upon
the nett profits of all persons who have, dur-ing
the present year, speculated in the tie-eessaries
of life, such as corn, flour, bacon,
pork, shoes, leather, cotton cloth and yarn
and woolen goods, and to be continued
daring the next year or longer, if necessa-ry;
the proceeds to be applied to thosup-
"l!'!|. . port of wives and children or widows of
J. Ins however, involved an expenditure soldiers whose property, as listed on the
of money beyond that appropriated by tho tax books, shall fall below a certain sum.
having been This law, if property enforced and guarded
against false swearing, would bo mado to
answe.-a valuable purpose, and would be
eminently just in its effects.
I am clearly of the opinion that no more
Treasury notes should be issued, if it he
us possible to avoid it, as I think it would be
be better to pay interest on our bonds than to
further swell the volume of paper in circu
lation.
The following is a statement of tho debt
of the State on the 30th day of September,
1862: ■
Bonded debt, $14,812,006 00
Temporary loans, 8,65044$
Int .nip ii 1 on ('.upon Bond J-.'bt, 482,005 45
" " •' Temporary lonns and
Bonds without Coupons. 69,851 06
Ain't Treasury notes in circulation, 3,136,650 60
tees from the army »ithoui leave, I • • •
to employ tbe Militia for .that purp . |.
general, it has answered
of the officers having disi
efficiency in gatheriig up iaii.li.
sons subject lo military du y nithmrl
ding the sensibilities <■! our peop e. U
in some instances, des • • i
shirking characters, have EM*, I
difjance, and are enable I •
the assistance of others wh
feed them, und, in some . us.
officers in the dis.narge . f theii do -
As tho crime ot desert ii t>< • I
know, is not an offence
moo law, HO tl c concealine-,
sistmg a deserter to avoid r. captur. ■-- n i
punishable in our courts. To aid the mili-tary
authorities in arresting such perm
I recommend that an a<-t be passed foi
punishment of any one who shall and as -i
I e I'Oniid I. if :. crin
tht Supriii Courts ar< ai-.l.«M und foi
• v.ce a i nij■> II of mi.i t v
si - givi D I«I 11 pi id by th. ...in tj i".
whiul ■ 11 - - *- ' ■ i - r is held Upon rxan.ioi
lion ii will he i mounts tl -
ditii rial and < > im c. ortsexq
alnrj ol :■ si ge.
. 10-'I chauter
ol ihe fi ..Ii 'ode provi lea that ••<•<.. j
j i'ge - i nil produi u i r .luun . i
. oi each county of bm I • held the
11 of the iotii'1 to law : and
r -u. Ii . ted to
ere shall i'< a deduction Qam.
Ii E sla -\ "I on.
-'.!■■ i .■. .. ■ i ■ . I,;, . • i i \
I:
pr • uie th i | M ■. ,ii ■ -
-: \ i; • '
•"
■
!.
■ ■
I r"
I
■ •
.
.. • e ' :'. ■ † † i
.1'
I i I ■
I
I '.
\ ■ ,
III
J I
I.
-. • I. d '
'" .
I ■,
Stati s. 'i' •
• .' ed f"i i
riiere i - •! i
inth »ri
•
II. ;
l
i di rate
id I c
I the
thom, or in any manner prevent their re- Coniedi « ni-capture;
and also to punish more severely BO"« ■ ' North Carolina,arrei red
the disobedience oforders by the Militia, political oil rices. Bow 1 n«»
It also becomes my duty, gentlomen, to remain incarceirai -d I i i
brii to
te
about
Total,
Operations nf the Adjutant General's de- Taxrs recM from permanent sources
partment is herewith transmitted.
The finances of the State will doubtless
engage vour anxious consideration.
S-'0,'.»83,361 01
for 1861,
61 64 t
The falling off
" l SOL-I'S
attrioutable
$734,650 10
715,763 89
to those
and the interest the variety of duties it embraces, I recom-fe
»v your attention several serious
matters connected with t! e administration
of Justice in the State.
There is great danger of lawlessness
overrunning the land; jmd in the great
abundance of military rulers and arbitrary arrested by lawful process, at
authority, peop e are boyining »o forgot of Iforth Carolina theyare snt.tl ••
that there is still a thin:'in existence as the Constitution to a speedy ;,|l I
evil law, which is the
Thou
master ol us ill
Confederate Slates, and wben his reply i*
received you will be informed thereof.
I ere exist any grave State reasons
I
those vi o aj 'm.
, but.
i his in ach it I e< >mes bo. h you ■
know, ii. view ol ti e oaths v.e t? :•• upon
entering into oCice, that they wen Dot
I rocess, and e i '-ens
by a
jury of their pei rs, anu to be con'routed
rhough pre-eminently a conaervalive and with ibeir accusers. I have laid !»o'r«
law-abiding people,oar society is already before his Excellencj thePre8id*»nl of the
beginning lo suffer serious detriment from
the violent and law-defying tendencies ol
the times. Murder, arson, disregard of Should t
obligations, oppression and injustice, arc why they are denied a li ial, it i« due a. least,
more common in some districts than they tt at we should be Informed f them.
have ever been known. Not long since, as have not s en an official copy of the n< ■:,
I am informed, a Confederate officorrefused but learn from the newspapers that Con-to
permit thcexecution of a wt it ofhabeat cor- gresshaa conferred upon the Pr< sident the
pus within his camp, issued by competent power to suspend the writ ofhabeat earpttM
authority,and drove the officer with denun '» all eases of arrests made by Confederate
ciations and abuse from bis presence. It authority. If this be once admitted, n<
should bo our pride, as it is our duty and man is safe from the power ol one in!
safety, to show our enemies abroad and our H»l He could at pleasure, aeiae any eit.W n
law-breakers at home, that the sameglori oftheSUU with or without excuse, tbrow
ous old common law which our father" hon- !""• into prison a. d permit lum to languish
ored and observed, in the midst ot suffering there without relief—u power that lam
and calamity, is siill moving on with power unwilling, to see entrusted toany livii g
and m»jesty, strengthening, protecting and man To submit to its exercise would in
sustaining our power, as' it. ever will my opinion be establishing a precedent
strengthen and sustain those who respect dangoroua and , oui in Hie extreme,
it. The General Assembly, at its lasts,.-. Among a people so united and faithful to
sion, DO doubt, by the most patriotic mo- their cause ssocrs, where disloyalty i
lives, passed an act suspending ihe regular rare and solitary exception lothe general
sessions oi the Supremo and Superior rule I can see but little tf od, but a Vast
Courts of'Law and Equity. This act,cons tide ol evil from tbeae inordinate
sidcred by many unconstitutional, was. in stretches of military powci which BJ-e fast
my judgment, to sa> the least of it, unwise disgracing us equally will
in some of its provisions. That some reme- enemies. A free Republic
our Northern
liiui must t.' i Is
dy ought to have b* en provided protecting cat., ofl its freed" m in every time of trouble,
property generally from sacrifice, and par will soon caat it off forever. Freedoancnn-licularly
the property of our brave soldiers riot be embraced t . day a d spurned i"-
who had left their homes and business for morrow
our defense, (if indeed an enlightened and
patriotic public opinion had not already
guaranteed that protection,) no one will
question, and t > this extent meets in\ ap-proval
But the Courts themselves -in
bo opened and the fountains ot justice un-sealed.
The criminal law especially .should
be dilligently administered, for it has been
wisely said that "the commisMion of crime
ad fast and constant worship
can;. CUM- her countless blesiii
II,-: cl 'i in trumen -—The Conatita-
:, | the la-. made tho sure
■ant nf ber everlasting residence
tiin.
We should
the COB
us; oui .el.gin ID tunes ti |
rosperity and our guide .ml shield
. a-, .'i troubl and calam1 ily N |W,
ii i • er, i- ihe time when we should abide
v by their stern decrees and ■ †I •
■a prevented more by the certainty t>ian tl ghtlj in the i am w path iboy
severity of i'i punishment." Again, pe i> oui I rour footsteps
sons charged with crime and confined in least of all, forsake the helm a d
prison, even if unlawfully convicted, cann i pass when tbe vessel is driven by the tempt
have their casts reviewed in a court of e-i, and and cloud- and darkneM obscure
higher jurisdiction for many months, thus the way
violating thut eacred provision in our Dec- D t-ply im| i aa I have been with
laratinn ol Bights, which says" hat every the importance of this subj ct, I have
freeman restrained of his liberty is entitled anxi u ■ a' the «ame time I ... | un-to
a remedy to enquire into tbe lawfulness neccessarj with me Coniedi
thereof, and to remove the same if unlaw- authorities. I have,therefore, waited pa-fui,
and that such reme.lv ought not to be tiently for your assembling, confident that
denied or delayed." I therefore recommend you would take proper steps to
that the regular sessions of ihi S p ars and preserve the rigl
and Supeiior Courts be restored. people.
1 am also convinced that whilst the sol- It becomes my duty also, to call your at-dior
in the field should have his property tentlon to tbe subject of officering
prot.-cted from seizure under execution, troops in th field-there
exists no valid reason why, in the existing ard thereto.
great plentcousness of money, and the high The right of the Btmlt
prices ot property, any man should desire commission the officers ol the regisaenca
•.... ntain
is ol
Slate authorities to
. i