Message of Gov. Vance, of North Carolina.
The message of Gov. Vance was transmitted to the Legislature of North Carolina on the 18th inst. The message contains many practical suggestions, and evinces a patriotic desire to maintain the dignity and honor of the State. The war is looked upon as the subject of first importance by the Governor, and especial reference is made to the present defenseless condition of Eastern North Carolina, and that portion of the State along the seaboard.--To aid in the defence of this portion of the State now threatened by, and partially in possession of, the enemy, it is recommended that a State reserve of at least ten regiments be raised, to be accepted for three or four months, and discharged in time to plant their crops in the spring. This force, axillary to the Confederate troops, it is thought would be able to prevent an advance of the enemy into the interieur, and whilst subsisting upon the abundant supplies of the Eastern counties, could benefit the whole State by aiding in withdrawing vast quantities of provisions from exposed points.Next in importance to the defence of the State against the public enemy, the Governor regards the defence of the people against extortion and starvation. He criticizes severely the speculation and extortion which the war has developed, and alludes to the sufferings it must produce among the poorer classes of the State, unless arrested. He recommends that the Legislature take immediate steps to prevent the exportation from the State of salt, leather, shoes, woolen cloth, cotton 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 sister states, under such regulation as will amount to satisfactory proof that such articles are for private use, or charitable distribution to the poor of such counties, towns, &c., and not for speculation — not, however, in violation of any existing contracts made with citizens of other States.
As a means of relief for, and to provide against the possible suffering of the wives and children of soldiers, the purchase and storing, at some safe point in the interior, of at least two hundred thousand bushels of corn and five hundred thousand pounds of pork, to be sold to them at rates sufficient to cover the cost, transportation, &c., is earnestly recommended. These supplies, it is stated can now be purchased in the eastern counties at moderate prices. Anticipating the necessity of such a measure, the Governor announces that he has already ordered the building of large crib on the North Carolina Railroad, and made other preliminary arrangements for purchasing on a large scale.
The prospect of obtaining cotton cloths at reasonable rates is represented to be better than it has been. The stockholders of the largest and most enterprising manufacturing company in the State have agreed to sell all their productions at 75 percent upon cost, which will reduce the price about one half, and some seven or eight other companies have intimated an intention of following their example. The woolen manufacturers are more incorrigible. Some of them when asked to furnish their goods at 75 per cent, declined entirely, and other agree to do so by fixing enormous profits on the cost of the raw material, and then adding the 75 per cent, on the finished article, making their profits greater than before. These are recommended to the tender mercies of the Legislature.
In relation to ordnance stores, the Governor states that, under an act of the Legislature, a contract has been made with a firm, and that they have erected powder mills, and are now nearly ready to begin operations on a scale sufficient to make about 4,000 pounds per week. The Confederate States will furnish the mills with about 3,000 pounds of nitre per week. The department has contracted with manufacturers in the State for 300 now rifles per month, and it is hoped the department will soon be able to keep on hand a supply for five thousand men.
The finances of the State next claim the Governor's consideration. The debt of the State is put down in round numbers at $20,983,351.01, and the receipts from taxes for the year 1862 were $715,762.39. In order to meet the interest on the public debt, and to make up the sum due from counties where the tax could not be collected on account of the presence of the enemy, an increase of at least 25 per cent on the present amount of taxation is recommended. The Governor also recommends that a tax of 25 per cent be laid upon the nett profits of all persons who have, during the present year, speculated in the necessaries of life, such as corn, flour, bacon, pork, shoes, leather, cotton cloth, yarn, and woolen goods, to be continued during the next year or longer, if necessary, the proceeds to be applied to the support of the wives and children or widows of soldiers whose property, as listed on the tax books, shall be below a certain sum. He is clearly of the opinion that no more Treasury notes should be issued, if it be possible to avoid it.
The right of the State authorities to commission the officers of the regiments originally raised for the war is claimed by the Governor. But the Confederate authorities claim the right to commission the regiments of twelve months men, continued in service by the conscript law, and also all regiments whatsoever raised since the law went into operation. In all cases the Confederate authorities had claimed to commission and appoint all regimental staff officers, even when they conceded to the Executive of the State the appointment of the officers of the line. He had called in person to see the President, to remedy this confusion and to avoid conflict, who promised to take the opinion of his Attorney-General on the subject at length, but that opinion the Governor has not seen. The matter is submitted to the Legislature, with the recommendation that they take such steps as will preserve the rights and honor of the State.
He recommends that the existing prohibition against the distillation of spirits from all kinds of grain be continued during the war, upon the ground that 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. Also recommends that a law be passed for the rigid punishment of all persons who may be convicted of speculating in any of the necessaries of life under the false pretence of being Government agents.
In conclusion, the Governor earnestly urges upon the Legislature the vital importance of bringing forth all the powers and resources of the State for the common defence of the country and the cause, and says that the two great dangers we have to meet will be found connected with our currency and supplies for our army. He appeals to them to remember that they are laboring for the very salvation of the people. The bitter cup that our captured cities and districts have had to drink is cited to show the mercy to be expected if our abolition foes overcome us.
