Newspaper Page Text
THE NORTH CAROLINA STANDARD s WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22. 1865. HHB lortl-Cdrnlina Itaniiarii fffLTlAM w. ho l den, BDITOB AND PROPRIKTOR. 80. ' Terms of the Standard The subscription price of the Standard ia as fol- l0ffSSenii-Weekly, 6 months, $30 . " 3 months, 15 Weekly, 6 months, '20 8 months, 10 Advertisements will be charged five dollars per square of ten lines, for. each insertion. Bank bills and State Treasury notes will be er ccived and credited at the prices paid for them by u. rimara nf till A fiitv. lirc j- KALEIGH : WEDNESDAY, MAR. 22, 1865. THE LATEST NEWS. There has been heavy fighting for a day or two past on the lines below Smithfield. In the absence of official 'intelligence we can only state the prevailing impression here,'that our arms have thus far sustained no reverse and that the losses of the enemy have been much heavier than ours. Stragglers are being promptly sent to the front; and our streets taav almost resumed their wonted quiet Gen. Johnston has the confidence of army and jjeope. He ill doubtless do aVThe can to retard the march of the invader, and " bring him to grief." In the meantime we await as patiently as may be such reliable particulars of the recent engagements as official dispatches may bring. Congressional. The Senate, on the 15th, passed the House bill to grant transportation to discharged and disabled soldiers; also passed House joint resolution of thanks to and relief of Gen. Joseph Loctiman. The House passed bill suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, introduced last night Yeas Messrs. Speaker, (Bocock,) Balson, Brad ley, Bruce, Carroll, Christman, Clark, Cluskey, Conrad, Conrow. DeJarnett, Dupre, Elliott Ew- ing, FansteS, Gholston, Goodu, Hartridge, Hatch er, Heiskell, Holliday, Johnson, Keeble, Lyon, Marchen, Miller, Moore, Perkins, Read, Russell, Sexton, Swann, Triplett, Villere and Wilk.es 37. Nays Messrs. Anderson, - Baldwin, Barksdale, Baylor, Blakinford, Branch, Burnett, Clopton. Col jar, Darden, Farrow, Fuller, Gaither, Gilmer, Hanly, Herbert, J. M. Leach, Marshall, McCallum. McMullen, Miles, Rimssy, Rogers, Simpson, J. M, Smith, Smith of N. C, Snead, Staples, Turner, Welch, WickTiaia and Witaerspoon 32. The bill suspends the privilege by law in all cases of arrest or detention by order of the Presi dent, Secretary of War, or of the general officer commanding the Trans Mississippi Department ; also suspends said privilege for sixty dys from the time of arrest or detention by order of a gep- oral officer commanding an amy, military depart ment or district. The House on the 16th, adopted a resolution for the adjournment of Congress on Saturday at one 'o'clock. " , Mr. Pugh, from the Military .Committee, submit ted a report in relation to that part of the Presi dent's message referred to that committee. The report says the recommendation of the President to abolish all class exemptions and confer upon him alone unlimited power of detail, presents a question whether the Representatives or the Exe cutive shall constitute the army ifr the field, and what persons shall remain at home in pursuits in dispensable to the vital interests of the country. The experiment has demonstrated that the power to detail, as heretofore exercised, has offered more unnecessary immunity from service than well guarded legislation. The subject of exemptions and the subject of a general military bill were considered by the committee at an early period of the session, and after mature deliberation it was de cided unnecessary and inexpedient In the Senate on the lGth, the House bill suspend ing the writ of habeas corpus tjss rejected. Ayes Messrs. Burnett, Henry, Johnson of Mo., Maxwell, Simms of Ky., and Vest 6. Navs Messrs. Barnwell, Brown, Graham, Bua ter, Oldham, Orr, Semmes, Watson and Wigfall 8. The bill to provide for re-organizing the army and militia of the Confederate States was debated at some length and rejected by a tie vote. The bill to amend the law regulating impress ments, was considered and passed. It provides that in all coses where property is impressed for the ar my, it shall not be necessary to pay at the time of impressment The House resolution to adjourn-Saturday, was rejected yeas 6, nays 10. A motion to re consider was rejected. The Senate then resolved into secret -session. When the doors were opened Mr. Orr sub mitted a resolution for adjournment on Saturday, which was adopted yeas 8, nays 7. ' In the Senate on the night of the 16th, a report was presented from the committee to whom the President's message was referred. The report was adopted without the call of the yeas and nays.- - The.report says that all measures, recommended by the President to promote the efficiency of the army have been adopted, except the entire repeal of class j, exemptions. Some measures suggested by him, such as the creation of the office of General-in- Chief, were originally passed by Congress with a view to the restoration of public confidence and an energetic administration of military affairs. The clashes now exempted East of the Mississippi river embrace about Dine thousand menwhile twenty. two thousand men have been detailed by Executive authority. . Ia consequence of this abuse of power of detail, Congress, at its present session, passed an act revoking all details. The power to conscribe ministers ol religion, and require thenr to obtain de tails to preach the Gospel, would shock the religious sentiment of the country and inflict greater mjury nnon our countrv than can ha nasnmhaH Tk. scription of editors, and the printers necessary to I j , - - . v .uv WU the publication of uewsjiaper, would destroy the in dependence of the press and subject it to the con trol of the Executive Department ' Physicians and apothecaries are essential to the health of the peo ple. .No complaint has reached Congress of abuse in this class of exemptions. Congress does not concur in the opinion of the President that the sua pension of the writ of habeas corpus is indispensa ble to a successful conduct of the war. The writ has not been suspended since August It is not perceived that the military reverses to the country since that period were occasioned by the absence of legislation asked for. The report in the closing paragraph says if the loss of time be a vice in important deliberative as semblies, promptitude is a great virtue in Execu tive action. The committee deprecate the trans mission of the message, as it is well calculated to excite discord and dissension. Nothing important done in the Senate. - The House concurred last night in Senate resolu tion for adjournment to-morrow. The bill , amending an act to organize forces to serre during the war was rejected yeas 27, nays The bill to provide for the payment of arrears now due. the army and navy -was returned by the President with objections. It was again considered and passed yeas 32, nays 18. The House met on the 18th at 6 o'clock. After Executive session, House bill to provide Ar arrears due the army and navy was lost for want of a quorum yeas 11, nays 1. A joint com mittee appointed to wait npon the President and inform him of the readiness of Congress to adjourn, reported that -they bad discharged the duty as signed them. The President stated that he had no further communication to make that he had fully explained in a recent message his views as to the legislation needed by the country and so far Con gress had not acquiesced in his opinions, he hoped it would turn out that he was mistaken that to full extent of his power and. the resources placed at his disposal, all might feel assured of his purpose faithfully to protect and defend the coun try. . At 2 o'clock the President tern, adjourned the Senate sine die. The House passed Senate bill amending the im pressment law. After other business of no special interest the House was adjourned sine- die. Congress passed in secret session, and the Presi dent has approved, an act to raise coin for the pur pose of furnishing necessary suppl'es for the army. Sect lstauthonzgs-the Secretary of the Treasury to borrow from any banking corporation or individ uals any sum in coin not exceeding three millions in the aggregate, and secure its repayment at such time as. may be agreed upon, not exceeding two years after the conclusion of a treaty of peace, by issuing bonds payable in coin, and drawing six percent, in terest, payable semi-annually in specie. The Sec retary is empowered to pledge cotton and tobacco owned by government to the extent of the value of the coin obtained, or to convey the same in payment for such coin, with the right to the lender to export free of duty, except to the extent of per cent now imposed by law. - - Sect 2d provides that in the event of a failure to obtain a loan, there shall be levied and collected a tax of twenty-five ptr cent, upon all golj and silver coin, bullion and foreign exchange in the Confeder ate States, payable in kind on the first day of April, or as soon thereafter as practible: Amounts not exceeding $200 are exempt from tax ; also amounts loaned to the government under the first section. From Mobile. 'One hundred and seventy -six naval and army exchanged prisoners arrived in the city at 10 o'clock on the 4th. Transports containing 2,000 troops entered Mo bile Bay on the 8th, through "Grant's Pass. Fourteen vessels more were added to the fleet on the 11th, making twenty-one in sight of the city. Great activity prevails with the enemy in the lower Bay. The signs indicate an early attack. The enemy have fired a few shots at both shores. A large portion of the fleet on the 12th had dis appeared. The enemy are reported advancing from Pensacola. Mobile is strongly menaced. Gen. Maury has issued a circular advising the people to prepare for it and urges non-combatants to leave. The Exchange Commissioners yesterday evening received information of trie arrival in the Bay of a large number of prisoners from Ship Island and New Orleans. They are espected to-day. Major Carroll will effect such arrangements as will em brace all prisoners-captured in this department. From the Soutk and West. A telegram dated Senatobia, 14th instan t, says that Shelby defeated the Yankees near Little Rock, capturing four hundred prisoners and some can non. A telegram from Augusta states that th ore are indications of an early advance of the enc my on Mobile. There is a large fleet in Mobile Bay land forces are concentrating at Pensacola, and a por tion of Thomas' army is said to be ruarchbig into Alabama to co operate in the movement. Advices from New Orleans, to the 4th instant, 6tate that there are 40,000 troops in the city , most ly from Thomas' army. They announce tLeir in tention to eapture Selma via Pensacola On e corps was left with Thomas, numbering 20,000 m en. On the 6th inst the enemy, about 2,000 strong landed on East River, near St. Marks, Fli i., and burned the town of Newport The Yankee troops at Savannah are beinj ; trans ferred to Morehead City, N. C. The Georgia Legislature. The House adopted a resolution requesting the repeal of the Conscript law and accept men from the States under officers of their own choice yeas 61, nays 46. From the north. Northern papers received in Richmond including the evening edition of the Baltimore American. The latest contains an official report from Sheri dan of his operations, dated at Columbia. He says he remained at Charlottsville two days. The troops were occupied during the time in destroying the two Iron bridges near town and the railroad for a distance of eight miles. On the 6 th he sent the First Division to Scottsville with direction to send ont light parties through the country to des troy all mills, canal locks and bridges on the Riv ana river. The Third Division proceeded down the railroad to Amherst C. H., destroying every bri dge on the road, mills, tc Sheridan says he fo und great abundance id this county for men and ani mals. At New Canton the guard lock was destroy ed and James river let into the canal, carrying away the banks and washing out the bottom, of the canal. ' He had no opposition up to date. It is reported that twelve canal boats, laden with 8 ap plies, ammunition, rations and medical stores were captured. . Commodore Holling was shot near Gordonsvflle while attempting to escape, . . A Newbern telegram, 7th, mentions the arrival of Schofleld there. ' " ( ' No news from Sherman. -' General J. D. Cox was commanding the Unon troops. Havana advices to the 8th received. The re ported outrages at Matamoras on Union refugees and the American Consulate are confirmed. The rebels attempted the capture of . the Ameri can steamer Shooting Slur in the harbor of Havana on the night of the 4th, but failed. The attempt was repeated the next night, when a boat containing twenty-five men was captured, with the assistance of the authorities. They were taken ashore and liberated. - The monitor Mahopec has arrived at Fortress Monroe from Charleston and will proceed up James river. - The Canadian Parliament has adopted the Con federation scheme. Gold 187. The Baltimore American of the 15th, says that Sherman has opened communication between Wil mington and Fayetteville and that Schofleld occu pied Kinston on the 18th inst - Sheridan has joined Grant at the White House. The Canadian Parliament has voted $1,000,000 for the permanent defence of the country and $850, 000 for the frontier service. The Republicans have carried New Hampshire by an increased majority. Sir Frederick Bruce, late Minister to China, sue: ceeds Lord Lyons at Washington. Gold 176; . The Exemption Bill. The following is the exemption bill finally agreed opon by the two Houses of Congress, and which now only awaits the approval of the President to become the law. ; It concerns and interests a great many people : ' A BILL TO DIMINISH THE NUMBER OF IXEKPTIOKS AND DETAILS. . " The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, Thatio much of the ' act to or ganise forces to serve during the war,' approved .February 17, 1864, as exempts one person as over seer or agriculturist on each farm or plantation upon which there were, at specified times, fifteen able-bodied field bands between the ages of sixteen and fifty, upon certain conditions, is hereby repeal ed, and said persons 6hall be liable to military ser vice opon the expiration of the time for which they secured exemption by reason of having executed bonds for one year irom the date thereof: Provi ded, That exemptions of persons over forty-five years of age may be granted under the provisions of the act aforesaid. Section 2. That no exemption or detail shall be granted, by the President or Secretary of War, by virtue of said act, except of person's lawfully repor ted by a board of surgeons as unable to" perform active service in the field ; persons over the age of forty years, and of artisans, mechanics, laborers em ployed in the Nitre and Mining Bureau in localities where slave labor cannot, with safety, be employed, and persons of scientific skill, employed by, or working for, the Confederate or state governments, and shown by proper testimony to be such laborers, mechanics, or persons of scientific skill ; and with the same exceptions, all exemptions and details heretofore granted by the President or Secretary of War, by virtue or said act, are nereny revoKea. . Section 3. That all skilled artisans and mechanics who are engaged in the employment of the govern ment of the Confederate States are hereby exempt from all militaiy service during the time they are So employed." MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. To the Senate and Hovse of Rrprrsentatives of the Confederate States of America : When informed on Thursday last that it was the intention of Congress to adjourn sine die on the ensuing Saturday, I deemed it my duty to request a postponement of the adjournment, in order that I might submit for your consideration certain matters of public interest which are now laid before you. When that request was made the most important measures that bad occupied your attention during the sessiou bad not been po far advanced as to bo submitted tor liixeeutive action, and the state of thd"country had been so materially affected by the events of the List four months, as to evince the necessity of further and more energetic legislation than was contemplated in November lust. Our country is now environed , with perils which it is our duty calmly to contemplate. Thus alone can the measures necessary to avert threatened calamities be wisely devised and effi ciently ec forced. Recent military operations of the enemy have been successful in the capture of Borne of our seaports, iu interrupting some of our lines of communication and in devastating large districts of our country. These events have had the na tural effect of encourage our foes and dispiriting many of our people. 1 he capital of the Con federate States is now threatened, and is in great er danger then it has heretofore been during the war. 1 he fact is stated without reserve or con ocalment as due to the people whose servants we are, and in whose courage and constancy entire trust is reposed ; as due to yon in whose wisdom and resolute spirit the people have confided, for the adoption of the measures required to guard them from threatened perils. While stating to you that our country is in dancer, I desire also to state my deliberate con viction that it is within our power to avert the calamities wnich menace us, ana to secure the triumph of the sacred cause for which so much sacrifice has been made, so much suffering en durcd. so many precious lives been lost. Ting result is to be obtained by fortitude, by courace. by constancy in enduring the sacrifices still need ed ; in a word, by the prompt and resolute de votion ofVthe whole resources of men and money in the Confederacy to the aoheivment of our a berties and independence. The measures now required to be successful, should be prompt. Long deliberation and pro tracted debate over important measures are not only natural but laudable in representative as semblies under ordinary circumstances ; but in moments of danger when action becomes urgent, the delay thus Caused is itself a . new source of peril. Thus it has unfortunately happened that some of the measures passed by you in pursuance of the recommendations contained in my message of November last have been so retarded as to lose much of their value, or have, for the same reason, been abandoned after being matur ed, because no longer applicable to our. al tered condition, and others have not been brought under examination, in mating these remarks, it is far from my intention to attribute the loss of time to any other cause than . those inherent in deliberative assemblies, but only urgently to recommend prompt action upon the measures now submitted. We need for carrying on the war successfully. men and supplies for the army. We have both within our country sufficient to attain success To obtain the supplies, it is necessary ti pro tect productive districts, guard our lines of com munications by an increase in the nnmbcrot our forces ; and hence it results that with a large augmentation in the nimber of men in the ar my, the facility of supplying the troops would be greater than with our recent reduced strength. For the purchase of supplies now required, . especially for the armies in Virginia and North Carolina, the treasury must be provided with means ; and a modification . in the impressment law is required. It has been ascertained by ex amination that we have within our reach a suf ficiency. of what is most needed for the army, and without having recourse to tho ample pro vision existing in those parts of the Confede racy with which our communication has been partially interrupted by hostile operations. But jn eomo districts from which supplies are to be drawn, the inhabitants being either within the enemy's lines, or in very close proximity, are nnable to make nse of Confederate Treasury , notes for the purchase of articles of prime ne cessity, and it is necessary that to some extent, coin be paid in order to obtain , supplies. It is, therefore, recommended that Congress devise tbe means for making available the coin within the Confederacy for the purpose of supplying the army. The officers of the supply departments report that with two millions of dollars in eoin tbe armies in Virginia and North Carolina can be amply supplied for the remainder of the year, and the knowledge of this fact should suffice to ensure the adoption of the measures necessary to obtain this moderate sum. , The impressment law, as it how exists, pro hibit the nublio 'officers from' impressing safe- - plies without making payment, of the valuation ; at the time of impressment. Abe limit nxea tor .! the issue of treasury .notes has been .nearly reached, and the .treasury cannot always fur nish the funds necessary for prompt payment while the law for raising the revenue which would have afforded means for diminishing, if not re moving this' difficulty, was, unfortunately, de layed for several months, and has just been signed. .In this condition of things it is impos sible to supply the army, although ample stores may exist in the eountry, whenever the owners refuse' to give credit to the public offi cer. It is necessary that this restriction on the power of impressment be removed. The power is admitted to be objectionable, liable to abuse, and unequal in its operation on individuals; yet all these objections must yeld to absolute neccs- 81 ty . It is also suggested that the system of val uation now established ought to be radically changed. 1 he legislation requires m such ea ses of impressment, that the market price be ftaid, but there is really no market price in uanv cases, and then Valuation is made arbitra rily and. in a depreciated currrency, The result is that the most extravagant prices are fixed, such as no one expects ever to be paid in coin. IN one believe that tbe government can ever re deem in coin the obligation to fay fifty dollars a bushel for corn, or seven hundred dollars a barrel for flour. It would seem to be more just and appropriate ' to estimate the supplies im- ' pressed at their value in coin ; to give the obli gation of. the government for the payment of the price in coin with reasonable interest, or at the option of the creditor to return in kind the wheat or corn impressed, with a reasonable in terest also payable in kind ; and to make tho ob- ugations thus issued receivable for all payments due in coin to the government. Whatever be the value attached by Congress to these sugges tions, it is hoped that there will be no hesitation in so changing the law as to render it possible to supply the army in case of necessity for the im pressment of provisions for that purpose. The measure adopted to raise revenue, though liberal in its provisions, being clearly inadequate to meet the arrcar of debt and the current ex penditures, some degree of embarrassment iu tbe management of the finances must continue to be felt. It is to bo regretted, I think, that, the re commendation of. the Secretary of the Treasury, of a tax on agricultural income, equal to tbe augmented tax on other incomes, payable iu treasury notes, was reiected by Congress. This tax would have contributed to facilitate the pur chase of provisions and diminish the necessity that is npw tolt tor a supply of coin. The measures passed by Congress during the session for recruiting the army and supplying the additional force needed for tbe public defence have been, in my judgment, insufficient, and I am inpelleu by a profound conviction ot duty, and stimu'ated by a sense of the perils whih surround our country, to urge'upon you addition al legislation on this, subject. The bill for employing negroes ns soldiers has not yet reached mo, though the printed journals of your proceedings unforni inc of its passage Much benefit is anticipated from this meas-uve, though far less than would have resulted from its adoption at an earlier date, so as to alf.rl Ume for their organization and instruction during the winter months. The bill for diminishing the number of exempts had just been mad 3 the subject of a special mes sage, and its provisions are such as wonldadd no strength to the army. The recommendation "to abolish all class exemptions has not met your fa vor, although still deemed byme a valuable and important measure ; and the number of men ex empted by a new clauso in the act just passed, is believed to be quite equal to that of those whose exemption is revoked. A law of a few lines re pealing all class exemptions would not only strengthen the forces in the held, be still more beneficial by abatiug the natural discontent and jealousy created in the army by the existence of classes privileged by law to remain in places of safety, while their fellow-citizens are exposed in the trenches and the field. The measures most needed, however, at the present time, for affording an effective increase to our military strength is a general militia law, such as the Constitution authorizes Congress to pass by grauting to it power "to provide for or ganizing, arming and disciplining the militia and for governing such part of them as may be em ployed iu the service of the Confederate States" and the further power "to provide for calling forth the ra.litia to execute the laws of the Con icderatc States, suppress insurrections and repel invasions." The necessity for the exercise of this power can never exist, if not in the circum stances which now surround us. The security of the States against any encroachment by the Confederate government is amply provided by the Constitution, by "reserving to the States, re respectivcly, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of fcrtining the militia, according to the discipline prescribed by Congress " A law is needed to prescribe not only how and of what persons the militia are to be organized, but to provide the mode of calling them out. If instances be required to show the necessity for such general law, it is sufficient to mention that in one case. I have been informed by the Gover - nor of a State that the law does not permit him to call the militia from one county for service in another, so that a single brigade of the enemy could traverse the State and devastate each coun ty in turn, without any power on the part of the Executive to use the militia for effective defence; while in another State, the Executive refused to allow the militia " to be employed in the service of the Confederate States," in the absenee of a law for that purpose. I have heretofore in a confidential message to the two Houses stated the facts which inaueed in to consider it necessary that the previlege of the writ of habeas corpus should bo susperded. The conviction of the necessity of 'his measure has become deeper as the events ef the struggle j have beeB developed Congress has not eon curred with me in opinion. It is my duty to say that the time has arrived when the .'suspen sion of tho writ, is nob simply advisable and ex pedient, but almost indispensable to the success ful couduct of the war. On Congress must rest the responsibility of declining to exeicise a pow er conferred by the Constituion as a means of publio safety to be used in period of national peril resalting from " foreign invasion. . If our -present circumctances are not sach as were con templated when this' power was Conferred, i confess myself at a loss to imagine any eoot'iv gency in: which this clause of the Constitution will not remain a Cead letter. . With the prompt adoption of the measures above recommended; and the united and hearty co-operation of Congress aud the people in tbe execution of the laws and the defence of the country, we may outer upon the present campaign with cheerful confidence in the result. And who can doubt the continued . existence of that spirit and fortitude in the people, and of that constancy under reverses which are need ed to render our triumph secure T What other resource-remains available but the undying, un conquerable resolve to be free ? It has become .certain beyond all doubt or question, that we must continue this struggle to a successful is sue, or must make abject and unconditional sub- ' mission to such terms as it shall please the eon- queror to impose on tu after our surrender. If a possible doubt could exist atter tne conierence between our commissioners and oMr. Lincoltt as lecenAj reported to yon, it would be dispelled by recent occurence, of which it is proper inas yoH should be informed. Congress will remember that in tne conierquce above referred to our commissioners were in formed that the government of the United States would not enter into any agreement or. treaty whatever with the ' Confederate States, nor with any single State ; and that the only possi ble mode of obtaining peace was by laying aown our arms,, disband: og our iorces, ana yieiuiug unconditional obedience to the laws of the United Slates, including those passed for the confisca tion of our property, and the constitutional amendment for the abolition of slavery. It will further be remembered, that Mr. Lincoln de clared that the only terms on which hostilities could cease, were thoso stated in his - message of December -last, in which we were informed that iu the event of our penitent submission, be would temper lustioe with mercy ; ana tnai tne Suestion whether we would, be governered as epeadent territories, or permitted to have a representation in their Congress was one ou which he could promise nothing, tmt wmcb would be decided by Congress, alter oar sud- mission had been accepted. It has not, however, been hitherto stated to you, that in the course of tue conference at Fortress MonrOe, a suggestion was mado by one of our Commissioners that the objections en tertained by Mr. Lincoln to treating with the Government of the Confederacy or with any separate State might be avoided, by substitu ting for the usual diode of negotiating through Commissioners or other diplomatic agents, the met bod sometimes employed of a military con vention to be entered into by the Commanding Generals of the armies of the two belligerents. This, he admitted, was a power rossessed by him, though it- was not thought commensurate with all the questions involved. As he did not accept the suggestion when made, he was after wards requested to reconsider bis conclusion, npon the subject of a suspension of hosti itios, which he agreed to do, but said that be bad maturely considered of the plan, and had de termined that it could not be done. Subsequently, however, an interview with General Longstreet was asked for . by General Urd, commanding, the enemy s army of the James, during which General Longstreet was in formed by him that there was a possibility of ar riving at a satisfactory adjustment of the pre sent unhappy difficulties, by means of a military convention, and that if General Lqp desired an interview on the subject, it would not be declined, provided General Lee had authority to act. ibis communication was supposed to be the con srquence of the suggestion above referod to. and General Lee, according to instructions, wrote to General Grant, on the second of this month, proposing to meet him for conference on the sub ject, and st:ted that he was vested with the re quisite authority. General Grant's reply stated that he had no authority to accede to the pro posed conference, that his powers extended only to making a convention on subjects purely of a ncilitary character, and that Gen. Ord could on ly have meant that an interview would not be refused on any subject.on which he, Gen. Grant, had the right to aet. It thus appears, that neither with the Confed erate authorities, ncr the authorities of any State, nor through the Commanding Generals, will the government of the. United States treat or make any terms or agreement whatever for the cessation of hostilities. There remains then for us no choice but to contiuue this contest to a final issue ; for the people of the Coufedracy can be but little, known to him who supposes it possible they would ever consent to purchase, at the cost oi degradation- and slavery, permission to live in a country garrisoned by their own ne-groes.-'and governed by officers sent by the con queror to rule over fiem. Having thus fully placed before you the infor mation requisite to enable you to -iulge of the state of the country, the danger' to which we are exposed, and the measures, of legislation needed for averting them, it remains for me but to invoke your attention to the consideration of those means by which above all others we may hope to escape the calamities that would result from our failure. Prominent, above all others, is the necessity for earnest and cordial co-opera tion between all departments of government, State and Confederate, and all emiueut citizens throughout the Confederacy. To you, especial ly, asSeuators and Representatives, do the peo p e look for encouragement and connsel. To your action, not only in legislative balls, but in your homes, will their eyes be turned for the example of what befitting men, who by willing sacrifices en the altar of freedom, show that they are worthy to enjoy its blessings. I feel full Confidence that you will concur with me in the conviction that your public . duties will not be ended when you shall have closed the legislative Lbors of the session, but that your voice will be heard cheering and cncouriging the people to that persistent fortitude which they have hither to displayed, and annimating them by the mani festation of that serene confidence which in mo ments of public danger, is the distinctive charac teriitic-.of the patriot, who derives courage from his devotion to his country' destiny, and is thus enabled to inspire the like courage in others. Thus united in a common and holy cau-e, ris ing above all selfish considerations, rendering all our means and faculties tributary to the country's welfare, let me bow submissively to the Divino will, and reverently invoke the blessing of our Heavenly Father, that as he protected aud guid ed our sires when struggling in a similar cause, so he will enable us to guard safely our altars and our fire-sides, and maintain inviolate the po litical rights which we inherited. JEFFERSON DAVIS. . .Richmond, March 13th, 1865. Tub Provision Order. As we are informed, the subordinate officers having in charge the execution of the order to impress, provisions, ar seizing the family supplies, so as not to leave, in some cases, more than ten days. The order is express, to leave to each amity nine ty days of supplies.- jjv The object of tits authorities in to remove and tale care of and return these supplies for two pur poses: 1st To leave the enemy little to seize so that his passage most be rapid.' And secondly to preserve for the future use of the people, what woatd other wise be consumed by the enemy. ' B jt, officers having this matter in charge, while executing the intention of the military' authority thoroughly, should take care to avoid transcending the order, or accompanying its execution with either offense to the people, or with unnecessary incon venience. Confederate. . . " ' We learn from the Conservative that the follow ing appointments have been made by the Council of State: Board of Internal Impr ovemeTUs. B.tnrj Nutt, of New Hanover and John IX Uyman of Henderson. . Literary Board. Pro'.. Richard Sterling, of . Guil ford, L. G. Edwards, of Granville, and iV. J. Yates, of Mecklenburg. " The Sabbr.th is tha green oasis, the little, grassy meadow in the wilderness, when after the week days' journey, the pilgrim halts for refreshment and repose; -where he rests, beneath the shale of tha.' Infttf nu'nn titaa- oml ifenA fkia voscaI -In .'-V;.. j r i' .v... my Hikno of the calm, clear strewn, and receives his strength to go forth again upoa bis pilgrimage in te desert with renewed vigor rjd cheerfulness. . MARRIED, On Thursday evening, March 16th, by Wm. R. Kchardson, Esq., Mr. W. J. Sacndibs to Miss Swan BBix,.all of this courety. '.. '. OBITUARY NOTICE. . Died in the Hospital, near Charleston, S. C.,"on the 11th of February, 1865, -Edward R. Windsor, in the 47th year of his age. Mr. Windsor was a kind master, an affectionate ather, and a loving husband. He leaves a large family aqd a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn their untimely loss. ' May they be comfort ed with the hope of meeting him in Heaven. Con. RALEIGH MARKET. BT W. O.. Aalush, March 20, 1S65. 7 . T 50 t 8 10 12 130 S . 40 s .'6 KK 460 . . " 400 85 APPLES Dried - BACOX-Hog roid BKEK BEESWAX BUTTE ft CANDLES -Tallow . COfttf-Per barrel CHICKENS - : COFFEE DUUJfci EGOS . FLO UK-Family Extra superfine, Fine, FODDER Per hundred, featueks r FLAXSEED GEESE HIDES Dry' 4 - Green 1IAY Per hundred LAEO SYkUP MEAL NAILS-Sckrce OATS Per hundred " Cleaned, per bushel PORK " POTATOES-Iriah PEAS Ground " Stock White Table BAGS BICE RYE . SALT 8WEET POTATOES &UGAK Brown, " Crush, TALLOW WHEAT BHANDY New, CIDER A J" 8 30 7 60 25 60 j 60 20 13 6 SO 86 60 ' -27 60 0 80 1 60 25 1H to. 25 tn r 60 loo- 10 2 5t W ANTED IMMEDIATELY. BY A TOUNO lady, a good scholar, having experienced teaching five or six years, a situation In 8 mie family as teacher or' several small children, or would take charge of a count rv school. She is deprived of a home by the enemy, and is sadly in need of one. For natne aud address, applv at THIS OFMCB. March 21, 1865. 13wit. . ' NOTICE. I SAW A NOTICE IN THE " STANDARD " thi my son, SAMUEL CUKTISis concealing him-t-elf so that the ordinary process of law cannot he served upon mm l certity tnai lie is, ana nas been in me ar my ol the Confederate states since July, lHitS; and fur ther, the Sheriff of this county has taken, and sold bis propel ty without any legal process or law. 'JOHN CURTIS. Galdwell Co, March 21, 1SC5V It wStud CONFEDERATE STATES DEPOSITORY, ' RALsipH, H-C. March 2. 1S65. TTOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, THAT FOR THE 1 w present, the interest due January 1 st 1 865 , on all cer tificates of indebtedness of the Confederate States of America, payable in North-Carolina,, will be paid at this office on presentation of said certificates Conservative, Progress and Standard, Greensboro Pa triot, GoldsHoro State Journal, Fayetteville Observer, Silisbury Watchman nod Charlotte Bulletin, .will insert each six limes and send duplicate accounts to this office. C. B.HARRISON, Depository. .March , 1865. 1 fit. CITY TAXES. Matoi's Ornci, " I . i Raleigh, March 10. 18(55. f I I WILL "ATTEND AT THE MAYOR'S OF hce on Saturday, the 1st day of April, I8fi , to take the Tax Lst for said year. Those failing; to give in their list , of taxables will be subject to double tax. . WM. H. HARRISON. Mayor. .1 March U, 1S85. . 21 td. SALE OF NEGROES. 1 ON MONDAY OP NEXT SUPERIOR COURT of Wake County, I will sell the Negroes belonging to Miss ANNA MAlNARD, in front of Creech & Litch ford's Store. , JNO. T. LEACH, Ex'r. Majch 10, 1St5. 20 witpd. I3F" Progress copy weekly till day. Office Chief Qoartermaatet C. S. A. 1 w- District or tioaTfcCARou a, V Raleigh, Feb. 27th, 18t5. ) ALL CONTRACTORS WITH M.AJ". VT. W. PEIROB for leather and shoes, will without delay send to t hia office any they may hare on hand,, marked) to the under signed. . H. R. HOOPER. r Kkipr & Chief Q M. March 2, 1865. 11 w3L : i ' . Post Quarter Ma8t.OrHee, e. S. A., I Bauuo ML OMarch th, 18K4. i ! . PARTIES HAVING CiAIM AGAINST THIS De partment are requested to forward them without de lay through the Agents contracting tbe indebtedness, ik order that cert ified accounts may he be oive tor the same. W. E: PIERCE, Cast, and A Q. M. . March , 1865. . - 19-6t 1 SOLDIERS', CLAIMS. TIlfE UNDERSIGNED- HAVING BEEN APPOINTED1 Commissioner to investigatcv eolleet and dislnbute Clairo.s of Deceased SiiMierV gives notice that after the 90th. inst, he will be prepared to fornish the blanks . whereby tbe wives children, executors or administrator of -deceased soldiers may save their claims placed in prop er form to be tWed in the Auditor's office- in Rich- n?.ond, and will me every effort in bis power to have tbe same promptly paid-.- ' . Persons applying for blanks must forward a 20 cent - postage stamp (or two 10 cent bills) to prepay tbe postage on 1 oe same. . . A Register of all claims will be kept ,aad at any time the . shite ef a claim may be ascertained HENRY E. COLTON, Fayetteville, N. C. Feb 20.1S65. 15 tf. Papers of SUte please copy. i NEGRO AUCTION AND COM-' MISSION HOLSE. ON THE FIRST DAT OF JANUARY; next, at the Store formerly occupied by C. W. D. -: HUTCHING, on Fayetteville street in the City of Ral eigh, the subscribers will establish an Auction and Commission Honse for tbe sale of SLAVES. . We have provided Safe and Comfortable quarters, andt will be as moderate in our charges for board, &c, as the times will permit. With an experience of twenty years in the trade, and ; the advantages of an extensive acquaiatajvee, we flatter ourselves that we understand the business; and; with the . assurance of quick sales and prompt rwlarns, respectfully: solicit public patronage.. W. F. ASKV & Co Jan. 12, 1815. 4 tf. ' NOTICE. THE SUBSCRIBER BEING A CRIPPLE, i ' and not able to keep up a farm, has concluded to sell-out. .He has two hundred and e4gity-foor acres of land, ' lying on the sooth side of big Beaver Creek, and the most 'j ' of bis farm is bottom lasO, and abont one hundred anil ( , twenty acre. of woods on the tract, and about 80 or j-) o; !'. that ia bottom land; and be has no body to 7c.u btlliu j daughters, and he can't keep up a farm. of tUj4 aistt- y, I advertise my farm, for public aalo oalne first day o? March, WS. I will sell lor iash, but some specie will bo ! required, but tao tenon will be nudanowa on the day of i sale. .,, i . . My dwelling is in Wake Coun' iboogh tbe plantation. ' is in CoathaM sad Wake Counties; ; . , ' THCS. ll. liATJREXCE. Feb. ft, 1865 , 7-wtf. . VKTBrEREAS. A RUNAWAY. ShAVE NAM-V ed AR.CH,"has been legally Committed to Hil of Surry County, Nortt-Giroliua, and conflaed therein fo.: v more than twolre months, and public 'advert, jement 1 allots., months, aud tha. owner of aaidtukive MvineV auB awar: and it harint J.. ui .. ? V" Wnty,at Pabvuary-Terrn lfljis.that saM i slave: Areh; be fold anenbl. tnTuf. . . IfZt . ..'"1 t eiran that oni tv,. iififttVri wnV?""S " "ore.y.l afCreeable to law t Notice is herebv I i 8K0OMD MOXDAY la. Mt next.lli will otter said-slave. . HiiriiHKi. ninnuv Vitus a .a l n i, - m vu, t me vourmmiBo door in thn ; .-, - vnfiljlAal HAIMORI Feb. SO, 1866. Sheriff n i 7 - win