USA > Georgia > The Confederate records of the State of Georgia, Vol 2 pt 2 > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
Resolved, That the course of the enemy in appro- priating our slaves who happen to fall in their hands to purposes of war seems to justify a change of policy on our part; and whilst owners of slaves, under the circum- stances, should freely yield them to their country, we recommend to our authorities, under proper regulations, to appropriate such part of them to the public service as may be required.
780
1
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
Resolved, That the States have the right to export such productions and to import such supplies as may be necessary for State use, or for the comfort or support of their troops in service, upon any vessel or vessels owned or chartered by them; and that we request Congress at its next session to pass laws removing all restrictions which have been imposed by Confederate authority upon such exports or imports by the State.
And lastly, we deem it not inappropriate to declare our firm and unalterable purpose, as we believe it to be that of our fellow citizens, to maintain our right of self- government, to establish our independence, and to up- hold the rights and sovereignty of the States or to perish in the attempt.
Resolved, That the chairman be requested to send a copy of these resolutions to His Excellency President Davis, and also one each to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives to be laid before the respective bodies.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA, November 7th, 1864.
This certifies that Rev. L. Pierce of this State, is a gentleman of the highest possible character, known to be loyal to the Confederacy and the cause of the South. He travels exclusively in the discharge of his ministerial duties. I request that no passport officer or agent molest
781
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
him, but that he be permitted to pass where he pleases in the Confederacy.
Given under my hand and the seal of the Executive Department, the day and year above mentioned.
JOSEPH E. BROWN.
The following Special Message was transmitted to the General Assembly, to-wit:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA,
November 10th, 1864.
To the General Assembly :
I respectfully call your attention to the fact that a very considerable class of able-bodied men in this State who should do military service are now under bond for various violations of the Penal Code, and are held by some of the Inferior Courts, in habeas corpus cases, to be exempt on that account from State military service.
Under this ruling it is only necessary for a person who does not wish to enter the service to commit an "assault and battery," or any other act declared penal, and give bond and security for his appearance at court, and so manage as to get the case continued from time to time, and he has a permanent exemption from service.
782
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
This I think an evil which calls for legislation. No man should be excused by law from his part of the ser- vice necessary to defend the State, because he has vio- lated the laws of the State.
I respectfully recommend that a law or resolution be passed declaring that all such are subject to military duty, and releasing their sureties on their bonds from lia- bility during the time they are in actual service.
JOSEPH E. BROWN.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA, November 11th, 1864.
It is hereby Ordered, That Wellington Stevenson, of the city of Augusta, be, and he is hereby appointed and commissioned, an agent of the State of Georgia to im- port medicines for the use of the State troops and the exiles now supported by the State; and that he enter upon the duties of his said position without delay.
While so engaged, I claim him as exempt from con- scription, and release him from military duty.
Given under my hand and the seal of the Executive Department, the day and year above mentioned.
JOSEPH E. BROWN.
783
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, 1
MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA,
November 14th, 1864.
Permission is granted to Mr. W. R. Ultez, of Wil- mington, N. C., as the agent of the Georgia Relief and Hospital Association, and solely for that use and benefit of said Association, to ship abroad sixty bales of cotton.
Given under my hand and seal of the Executive De- partment, the day and year above mentioned.
JOSEPH E. BROWN.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA,
November 14th, 1864.
By order of the Governor, license No. 155, issued to Stephen W. Pearce, of Worth county, 13th January, 1864, for the distillation of whiskey is this day revoked.
JOSEPH E. BROWN.
The following message was transmitted to the House of Representatives, to-wit:
1
784
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA,
November 17th, 1864.
To the House of Representatives :
In response to your call, I state that I have, by respon- sible agents, purchased since your last session 8,194 bales of upland cotton, and 383 bales of sea island. Of this number, 4,048 bales of upland and 383 of sea island have been purchased under the authority of the Acts passed by the General Assembly, for exportation, to pay for cot- ton cards, soldiers' clothing, blankets, etc., etc .- the up- land at an average original cost of 807/8 cents per pound -the sea island at an average of $2.97 per pound. I have exported 1,6141/%, bales. Of this 58 bales were cap- tured by the blockading fleet, and 1,5561% have gone through safely. This was all shipped out one-half for the other, except 2821/4 bales, which were shipped at 40 sterling per ton. After payment of freight this places to the credit of the State in Europe about 850 bales, worth in the present currency over $5,000,000, or $3,000,- 000 in round numbers more than the whole cost of the cotton purchased, including the sea island. Of the re- mainder of the 4,048 bales, 2821/4 bales were sold to the Confederate Government at cost, for the privilege of shipping out 2821% bales on the terms above mentioned, and 297 bales have been loaned to that Government, which it has not yet repaid-46 bales have been burnt- only 9 bales were a loss to the State-and the State still has in store waiting on opportunity to ship 1,808 bales upland cotton, and 383 bales of sea island. In other
785
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
words, the State has shipped out much less than half the quantity purchased, and that shipped out safely to Europe is now worth in currency $3,000,000 more than she gave for the whole quantity purchased.
I have now in Nassau 30,000 excellent soldiers' blan- kets, and expect soon to have 5,000 suits of soldiers' cloth- ing, 18,000 yards of cloth for soldiers' clothing, and 5,000 pairs of good army shoes, which, by the terms of the con- tracts, are to be delivered by the first of next month. I have also purchased and had stored at Nassau 30,000 pairs of cotton cards. Of these 5,100 pairs were lost with the steamer Florie, and 5,100 landed safely at Wilming- ton and are expected here soon by express, and 19,800 pairs remain on the island, to be shipped by the earliest opportunity.
The balance of the cotton first above mentioned, to- wit: 4,146 bales of upland, have been purchased on ae- count of the W. & A. Railroad, at an average cost of 831% cents per pound. This, with the exception of 31 bales, now stored at Butler, has been shipped to Savannah and Augusta for sale; the agents have sold 2,463 bales for a net profit of $433,512.38. Part of this was sold to an agent of the Confederate Government, who is still in our debt $200,000 of the money, but promises to pay soon.
Twenty-one bales were burnt while in transit on the Central Railroad, and the balance of 1,662 are still on hand unsold. This has been held on account of a recent decline in the markets of Augusta and Savannah. The cotton now on hand has been purchased at a higher price than the cotton first purchased and sold, and the margin for profits will not be so great as on that already sold.
786
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
I think it safe, however, to estimate that the cotton pur- chased and transported to this date will pay into the. Treasury of the Road a net profit of $600,000. This has: been made by the use of the rolling stock of the Road not engaged in Government transportation, in about three: months.
As these transactions have not been fully closed and the accounts made up, it is not possible to give all the items in detail. This will be done carefully and accu- rately in the next report of the Superintendent of the. Road.
I am not able to refer to any statute which gave me express authority to make these purchases and sales for the Road. When you were last in session, no such state of things was anticipated as now exists. Since then, the enemy have taken charge of the Road, and we have been driven from it.
The agents and employees moved back with the roll- ing stock. If we disbanded and dismissed them, it would not be possible to supply their places and work the road if we should recover it from the enemy, and it was neces- sary that the machinists and carpenters be kept at work for the repair of the engines and cars. It requires a large sum of money every month to support these agents and employees with their families. The Confederate Government, for which most of the work of the year has been done prior to the loss of the Road, owes us nearly a million of dollars, and we can not collect enough to pay the wages of the employees. I had rolling stock idle. If I leased it out at the usual rates, the incomes from it
787
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
would be comparatively small, and, owing to the usual failure of those who hire rolling stock to keep it in order, would soon be run down.
I had no right to take money out of the Treasury of the State to make the purchases necessary to start this business, but I was unwilling that it should fail on that account, and I ordered the cotton necessary for that purpose purchased on a credit of twenty days. If this had been lost by fire or otherwise, and the business had failed, I should have been personally liable to pay for the cotton about $200,000. I was satisfied, however, that it would not fail, and I took the risk and responsibility necessary to get it under way.
I trust the Legislature is satisfied with the result. If not, I will cheerfully take the whole matter upon my own responsibility, and pay the State double the usual rates for the use of the engines and cars, and pay all expenses of every character. If my action is approved, I will be glad to know the fact, that I may continue the business for the benefit of the State, as I can make a fine profit to the Treasury during the ensuing year. I see no good objection to this business, as it is, in my opinion, a fair, legitimate traffic.
I have recently furnished to the Governor of North Carolina, a train to remove cotton belonging to that State from Southwestern Georgia to Augusta, and trains to Confederate Agents to remove Confederate cotton, at the usual rate for the use of rolling stock. I also furnish a train occasionally to the agent of the Exporting and Importing Company to carry their cotton to the coast
788
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
for exportation, at the same rates, as they have aided the State to export cotton on their vessels.
The reports of the agents of cotton purchased for the State are already in the hands of the Finance Committee.
JOSEPH E. BROWN.
The following message was this day transmitted to: the House of Representatives, to-wit:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA,
November 17th, 1864.
To the House of Representatives :
In compliance with the request contained in your reso- lution, I herewith transmit the names of aides-de-camp appointed by me under the 20th Section of the Act to reorganize the militia of the State, who do not belong to the different departments and have no command in the: field.
Of these, several are over the age of conscription or otherwise exempt from military duty. Col. Schley is in Europe as an agent of the State, and Colonels Wilbur and Lamar are the active agents of the State in the ex- portation of cotton and importation of supplies.
Colonel Lee and Captains Hendrix, Wright, McAdo and Paxton were appointed with a view to their employ- ment in the field, visiting the Georgia Regiments in the
789
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
army to get up the information necessary to complete the Roll of Honor directed by law. The active movements of the armies since the appointment, and the employment of these officers at Camp Rescue while the militia were sent there to be forwarded to Atlanta, and their attendance since upon a Court of Inquiry, has delayed action.
Since the militia have been ordered out, the business and correspondence in my office have increased till I have been obliged to employ two and sometimes four aides in addition to the usual force, or it could not be kept up.
Again it was found impossible for one aide-de-camp in each Senatorial District of three counties, to do all the duties required in sending forward the militia to the front. One aide was really needed in each large county, and I find it necessary to appoint the above number. They have been almost constantly under orders, and will be necessary so long as the present service continues.
JOSEPH E. BROWN.
The following message was transmitted to the House of Representatives, to-wit:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA,
November 17th, 1864.
To the House of Representatives:
I herewith transmit the report of the Superintendent of the Card Factory, which will, I trust furnish all the
790
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
information required by the House in its resolution of inquiry upon that subject.
It may be proper in this connection that I should re- mark that five thousand tanned sheep skins and a quan- tity of tacks have been ordered from England for the use of the factory, which have not yet been heard from. If these should be lost in the attempt to run the blockade, it will materially diminish the amount of profits reported by the Superintendent.
JOSEPH E. BROWN.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA,
November 17th, 1864.
To the General Assembly:
I have received, what I consider reliable information, that the enemy has burnt and laid waste a large part of Atlanta, and of several other towns in upper Georgia, and has destroyed the State Road back to Allatoona, and burnt the Railroad Bridge over the Chattahoochee River and is now advancing in heavy force in the direction of Macon, and probably of this city, laying waste the coun- try and towns in the line of his march.
The emergency requires prompt, energetic action. If the whole manhood of the State will rally to the front, we can check his march, and capture or destroy his force. There are now in the State, large numbers of men not under arms in either State or Confederate service. The class of State officers not subject to Militia duty, such as
791
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
Judges, Justices of the Inferior Courts, Sheriffs, etc., will amount to a fine Regiment.
There are numerous others, with Confederate details, not connected with the present active operations of the front, probably amounting to several Regiments. All these, and every other person in the State, able to bear arms, no matter what his position may be, should rally to ยท the standard in the field, till the emergency is passed.
The present Militia laws are not adequate to the occa- sion, and I respectfully ask the passage of a law, with the least possible delay, authorizing the Governor, to make a levy en masse, of the whole male population, in- cluding every man able to do Military duty, during the emergency and to accept for such length of time as may be agreed upon, the services of any companies, battal- ions, regiments, brigades or divisions, of volunteers, which may tender their services, with any number of men which he may consider effective. Plenary power should be given to compel all to report who fail or refuse to do so.
I respectfully suggest that the appropriation bill be taken up, and passed without delay, and that a Military bill, of the character indicated, be also passed and that the Governor and Legislature then adjourn to the front, to aid in the struggle, till the enemy is repulsed, and to meet again if we should live, at such place as the Gov- ernor may designate.
JOSEPH E. BROWN.
792
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
The following message was prepared by His Excel- lency Gov. Joseph E. Brown, to be sent to the General Assembly, but while it was being copied for the two Houses they adjourned on account of the near approach of the enemy, before the message was received by them. As Congress probably now has the question before them, and as it is, in the opinion of the Governor, important that the people and presses of the country should speak out boldly to their representatives before the fatal step is taken by them, he has directed the publication of the message, with a view to call special attention to the sub- ject.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA,
November 17th, 1864.
The following Special Message was transmitted to the General Assembly :
To the General Assembly:
I feel it my duty to call your special attention to that part of the late message of the President of the Confed- erate States which relates to exemptions from conscrip- tion.
The President declares, that "no pursuit nor position should relieve any one who is able to do active duty from enrollment in the army, unless his functions or service are more useful to the defence of his country in another sphere." But he says, "it is manifest that this can not
793
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
be the case with entire classes." He then enumerates several classes, such as telegraph operators, professors, teachers, editors, millers, shoe makers, tanners, black- smiths, physicians, etc., who should not be exempt as classes, and adds, "and the numerous other classes men- tioned in the laws," who he says, "can not, in the nature of things, be either necessary in their several professions nor distributed throughout the country in such propor- tions, that only the exact numbers required are found in each locality." Nor, says he, "can it be everywhere impossible to replace those within the conscript age, by men older and less capable of active field service." He then says, "A discretion should be vested in the Military Authorities, (which can only mean in him as the head of these authorities,) so that a sufficient number of those essential to the public service, might be detailed to con- tinue the exercise of their pursuits or professions, but the exemption from service of the entire classes should be wholly abandoned."
This is very comprehensive language. If such a law were enacted by Congress and acquiesced in by the States and people, it would not only give the President absolute control over all persons of the classes enumerated by him in his message, but of what he terms the "numerous other classes mentioned in the laws."
Who are these other classes mentioned in the laws of whom the President seeks to get the absolute and unlim- ited control, without startling the country by the designa- tion of them in this message? One of these classes "men- tioned in the laws," is the members and officers of the several State Legislatures." Other classes mentioned in the laws are Judges of the State Courts, Sheriffs, Clerks,
794
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
Ordinaries or Judges of Probate, etc. Another class mentioned in the laws, is "Ministers of Religion," au- thorized to preach according to the rules of their churches. The President denies that these could be more useful as classes "in another sphere" than in the military field, and says, they can not in the nature of things, be either necessary in their several professions nor distributed throughout the country in such proportion that only the exact numbers required are found in each locality. He therefore demands that Congress leave it to his "discre- tion" to say who of them shall be detailed to continue in the exercise of their pursuits or professions. With the declaration in advance, that their exemption as "entire classes" should be "wholly abandoned."
Aside from Constitutional objections, what would be the effect of vesting in the President the absolute power over all classes of people in these States, which he now demands at the hands of Congress ?
No man could cultivate his fields to produce corn, wheat, or any other of the necessaries of life, or run his factory to make clothing, or work his blacksmith shop, mill, tannery, carpenter shop, machine shop, or follow other industrial pursuits without the consent of, and a detail from the President.
No man can then publish a newspaper without the con- sent of the President, and a detail for that purpose. This would at onee destroy all independence in the press, and abridge its freedom, which the Constitution of the Confederate States expressly declares Congress shall make "no law" to do. If each editor must have a detail from the President, which would be revocable at the will
795
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
of the President, to publish his paper, what freedom or independence of the press can in future exist? No bold, high-toned man, would be willing to accept a detail for this purpose, as it would be an acknowledgement in ad- vance that his press shall be the tool of the President wih its freedom abridged and its existence dependent upon the President's will. As this law would give the President the power to say how many editors he will tol- erate, it would leave it to his "discretion" what sort of editors he will have, and what principles they shall ad- vocate. Thus the public press of the country, which, whatever may be its errors and abuses, is, next to the Christian religion, the greatest promoter of civilization, and when left free and untrammelled is the strongest bulwark of Constitutional Government, and the most powerful advocate of civil and religious liberty, is to be prostrated at the feet of the president and prostituted to the base end of overthrowing Constitutional liberty and establishing despotism. Where did liberty ever ex- ist with the freedom of the press abridged and its exis- tence dependent upon the will of a single individual ?
The President not only demands of Congress the passage of a law giving him the power in future to muzzle the press and preventing it from exposing the errors of his administration or the corruption of his officials, but he demands that the State Governments be placed abso- lutely under his control, and that it be left to his "dis- cretion" how many members and officers may attend each session of the Legislature, and what shall be the ages of the members, and, if he chooses, what shall be their political sentiments. It is also to be left to his "discretion" how many Judges of the Superior, Inferior,
796
CONFEDERATE RECORDS
or other Courts, each State may have, and what shall be their ages. How many Sheriffs, Clerks, Tax Collectors, Justices of the Peace, etc., he will tolerate in each State. Each of these classes of State Officers is one or the other "numerous classes mentioned in the laws," who he de- clares are to be distributed according to his discretion, throughout the country in such proportions that only the exact numbers required are found in each locality; those within conscript age are to be replaced by "older men" less capable of active field service, and in the selection of those with whom they are to be replaced, regard might be had to those who would be "less capable" of opposi- tion to the President's will.
But this, intolerable as it seems to be, is not the worst feature in the demand. The President asks that Congress place the "Ministers of Religion" under his absolute control, with a declaration accompanying the demand, that they are not to be exempt as a class, but only such of them as he, in his "discretion" may deem a sufficient number to be detailed to continue to exercise their pursuits or professions," that only the exact num- bers required may be found in each locality."
There is no mistaking the purpose, they are one of the classes "mentioned in the laws." In other words, they are a class who are mentioned in the exemption laws, and are now exempted as a class.
Give the President this power, and the Minister of Religion can no longer exercise the high functions of his calling under the commission he has received from Hea- ven without a detail from the President. This would
797
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN
give the President the power, in his discretion, to deter- mine not only how many may be necessary, but to select the localities where they will be tolerated, and to pre- scribe, if he should think proper, the denomination to which they shall belong. This would place the freedom of religion as absolutely under his control as the freedom of the press and the Government of the States.
The provision of the Constitution which declares that Congress shall have power to raise and support armies, must be construed in connection with that other provision that "Congress shall make no law respecting an estab- lishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.