drawn in the lottery of this war. We seek to preserve civil freedom, honor, equality, firesides; and blood is well shed when "shed for our family, for our friends, for our kind, for our country, for our God." Burke said: "A state, resolved to hazard its existence rather than abandon its object, must have an infinite advantage over that which is resolved to yield, rather than carry its resistance beyond a certain point." It is better to be conquered by any other nation than by the United States. It is better to be a dependency of any other power than of that.

By the condition of its existence and essential constitution, as now governed, it must be in perpetual hostility to us. As the Spanish invader burned his ships to make retreat impossible, so we cannot afford to take steps backward. Retreat is more dangerous than advance. Behind us are inferiority and degradation; before us is every thing enticing to a patriot.

cisms on the Government and our generals; in stead of bewailing the failure to accomplish impossibilities, we should rather be grateful, humbly and profoundly, to a benignant Providence, for the results that have rewarded our labors. Remembering the disproportion in population, in military and naval resources, and the deficiency of skilled labor in the South, our accomplishments have surpassed those of any people in the annals of the world. There is no just reason for hopelessness or fear. Since the outbreak of the war, the South has lost the nominal possession of the Mississippi River and fragments of her territory, but Federal occupancy is not conquest. The fires of patriotism still burn unquenchably in the breasts of those who are subject to foreign domination. We yet have in our uninterrupted control a territory which, according to past progress, will require the enemy ten years to overThe enemy is not free from difficulties.

run.

With

Our bitter and implacable foes are preparing vigorously for the coming campaign. Corre- an enormous debt, the financial convulsion, long sponding efforts should be made on our part. postponed, is surely coming. The short crops Without murmuring, our people should respond in the United States and abundant harvest in to the laws which the exigency demands. Every Europe will hasten what was otherwise inevitaone capable of bearing arms should be connected ble. Many sagacious persons at the North diswith some effective military organization. The cover in the usurpations of their Government utmost energies of the whole population should the certain overthrow of their liberties. A large be taxed to produce food and clothing, and a number revolt from the unjust war waged upon spirit of cheerfulness and trust in an all-wise and the South, and would gladly bring it to an end. overruling Providence should be cultivated. Others look with alarm upon the complete subversion of constitutional freedom by Abraham Lincoln, and feel in their own persons the bitterness of the slavery which three years of war have failed to inflict on the South. Brave and earnest men at the North have spoken out against the usurpation and cruelties daily practised. The success of these men over the radical and despotic faction which now rules the North, may open the way to peaceful negotiation and a cessation of this bloody and unnecessary war.

The history of the past three years has much to animate us to renewed effort and a firmer and more assured hope. A whole people have given their hearts and bodies to repel the invader, and costly sacrifices have been made on the altar of our country. No similar instance is to be found of such spontaneous uprising and volunteering. Inspired by a holy patriotism, again and again have our brave soldiers, with the aid of Heaven, baffled the efforts of our foes. It is in no arrogant spirit that we refer to successes that have cost us so much blood and brought sorrow to so many hearts. We may find in all this an earnest of what, with determined and resolute exertion, we can do to avert subjugation and slavery; and we cannot fail to discern in our deliverance from so many and so great perils the interposition of that Being who will not forsake us in the trials that are to come.

Let us, then, looking upon the bodies of our loved and honored dead, catch inspiration from their example, and gather renewed confidence and a firmer resolve to tread, with unfaltering trust, the path that leads to honor and peace, although it lead through tears, and suffering, and blood.

We have no alternative but to do our duty. We combat for property, homes, the honor of our wives, the future of our children, the preservation of our fair land from pollution, and to avert a doom which we can read both in the threats of our enemies and the acts of oppression we have alluded to in this address.

The situation is grave, but furnishes no just excuse for despondence. Instead of harsh criti

In conclusion, we exhort our fellow-citizens to be of good cheer, and spare no labor, nor sacrices, that may be necessary to enable us to win the campaign upon which we have just entered. We have passed through great trials of affliction, but suffering and humiliation are the schoolmasters that lead nations to self-reliance and independence. These disciplinary providences but mature, and develop, and solidify our people. We beg that the supplies and resources of the country, which are ample, may be sold to the Government to support and equip its armies. Let all spirit of faction and past party differences be forgotten in the presence of our cruel foe. We should not despond. We should be selfdenying. We should labor to extend to the utmost the productive resources of the country. We should economize. The families of soldiers should be cared for and liberally supplied.

We entreat from all a generous and hearty cooperation with the Government in all branches of its administration, and with the agents, civil or military, in the performance of their duties. Moral aid has the "power of the incommunicable," and by united efforts, by an all-compre

hending and self-sacrificing patriotism, we can, with the blessing of God, avert the perils which environ us, and achieve for ourselves and children peace and freedom. Hitherto the Lord has interposed graciously to bring us victory, and in his hand there is present power to prevent this great multitude which come against us from casting us out of the possession which he has given us to inherit.

given to slip the chain, beat to quarters, and call the Captain. Just after issuing these orders, the Master's Mate from the forcastle reported the suspicious appearance to the officer in charge. The officers and men were promptly on deck, but by this time the submarine machine was so near us that its form and the phosphorescent light produced by its motion through the water were plainly visible. At the call to quarters it had stopped, or nearly so, and then moved toward the stern of the vessel, probably to avoid our broadside guns. When the Captain reached our deck, it was on the starboard quarter, and so near us that all attempts to train a gun on it were futile. Several shots were fired into it from revolvers and rifles; it also received two charges of buckshot from the Captain's gun.

The chain had been slipped and the engines had just begun to move, when the crash came, throw. ing timbers and splinters into the air, and apparently blowing off the entire stern of the vessel. This was immediately followed by a fearful rushing of water, the rolling out of a dense, black smoke from the stack, and the settling of the vessel.

T. J. Semmes, J. L. Orr, A. E. Maxwell, Committee on the part of the Senate; J. W. Clapp, Julian Hartridge, J. L. W. Curry, John Goode, Jr., W. N. H. Smith, Committee of House of Representatives; Thomas S. Bocock, Speaker of House of Representatives; Walter Preston, John McQueen, Charles W. Russell, W. Lander, A. H. Conrow, C. J. Munnerlyn, Thomas S. Ashe, O. R. Singleton, J. L. Pugh, A. H. Arrington, Walter R. Staples, A. R. Boteler, Thomas J. Foster, W. R. Smith, Robert J. Breckinridge, John M. Martin, Porter Ingram, A. A. Garland, E. S. Dargan, D. Funsten, Thomas D. McDowell, J. R. McLean, R. R. Bridgers, G. W. Jones, B. S. Gaither, George W. Ewing, W. D. Holder, Daniel W. Lewis, Henry E. Read, A. J. Davidson, M. H. Macwillie, James Lyons, Caspar W. Bell, Orders were at once given to clear away the R. B. Hilton, Charles J. Villers, J. W. Moore, Lu- boats, and the men sprang to the work with a cien J. Dupre, John C. Atkins, Israel Welsh, will. But we were filling too rapidly. The ship William G. Swan, F. B. Sexton, T. L. Burnett, gave a lurch to port and all the boats on that George G. Vest, William Porcher Miles, E. Barks- side were swamped. Many men and some offidale, Charles F. Collier, P. W. Gray, W. W. cers jumped overboard and clung to such porClarke, William W. Boyce, John R. Chambliss, tions of the wreck as came within reach, while John J. McRae, John Perkins, Jr., Robert John- others sought safety in the rigging and tops. ston, James Farrow, W. D. Simpson, Lucius J. Fortunately we were in but twenty-eight feet of Gartrell, M. D. Graham, John B. Baldwin, E. M. water, and two of the boats on the starboard Bruce, Thomas B. Hanly, W. P. Chilton, A. H. side were lowered. Most of those who had Kenan, C. M. Conrad, H. M. Bruce, David Clop-jumped overboard were either picked up or ton, W. B. Machen, D. C. De Jarnette, H. C. Chambers.

Doc. 84.

THE LOSS OF THE HOUSATONIC.

A NAVAL OFFICER'S ACCOUNT.

On the evening of February seventeenth, the Housatonic was anchored outside the bar, two and a half miles from Beach Inlet battery, and five miles and three fifths from the ruins of Sumter her usual station on the blockade. There was but little wind or sea, the sky was cloudless, and the moon shining brightly. A slight mist rested on the water, not sufficient, however, to prevent our discerning other vessels on the blockade two or three miles away. The usual lookouts were stationed on the forcastle, in the gangway, and on the quarter-deck.

At about forty-five minutes past eight of the first watch, the officer of the deck discovered, while looking in the direction of Beach Inlet battery, a slight disturbance of the water, like that produced by a porpoise. At that time it appeared to be about one hundred yards distant and a-beam. The Quartermaster examined it with his glass, and pronounced it a school of fish. As it was evidently nearing the ship, orders were at once

swam back to the wreck. The two boats then pulled for the Canandaigua, one and a half miles distant. Assistance was promptly rendered by that vessel to those remaining on the wreck.

At muster the next morning, five of our number were found missing. The Captain was thrown several feet into the air by the force of the explosion, and was painfully but not dangerously bruised and cut.

It was the opinion of all who saw the strange craft, that it was very nearly or entirely under water, that there was no smoke-stack, that it was from twenty to thirty feet in length, and that it was noiseless in its motion through the water. It was not seen after the explosion. The ship was struck on the starboard side abaft the mizzen-mast. The force of the explosion seems to have been mainly upward. A piece ten feet square was blown out of her quarter-deck, all the beams and carlines being broken transversely across. The heavy spanker-boom was broken in its thickest part, and the water for some distance was white with splinters of oak and pine.

Probably not more than one minute elapsed from the time the torpedo was first seen, until we were struck, and not over three or four minutes could have passed between the explosion and the sinking of the ship. Had we been struck in any other part, or before the alarm had been

The Congress of the confederate States of Sec. 7. That no impressment shall be made America do enact, That in all cases where prop-under this act, or the act to which this is amend

atory, for the use or benefit of contractors with appraisement, he will decline to approve it, and the government.

Sec. 8. Nothing in this act shall be construed to authorize the impressing officer to enter an appeal from any decision of the local appraisers, under the seventh section of the act to which this is amendatory.

Approved February sixteenth, 1864.

I. Impressments according to this act, and the act to which this is an amendment, may be made for necessary supplies for the confederate armies in the field, and for their accumulation in magazines and at posts and dépôts, and to carry on the various operations of the military bureau connected with the war department, whenever the same cannot be obtained by contract.

indorse the reason for his refusal on the certificate, and forthwith report the case to the commissioners appointed under the fifth section of the act to which the act above recited is an amendment, and in the mean time the property will be taken and a receipt describing the property and the proceedings for the adjustment of the price and the appeal, given to the owner. The impressing officer will immediately report the case to the appraisers, with a statement of the quality and condition of the property, and his opinion upon the subject.

V. No officer or agent will impress the necessary supplies which any person may have for the consumption of himself and family, employés, slaves, or to carry on his ordinary mechanical, manufacturing, or agricultural employments.

II. They may be made under orders from the generals commanding armies, departments, corps, divisions, and by commanders of detached parties If any question arise as to the fact whether when a necessity arises therefor. These orders the supplies are necessary, or whether there be may be executed by appropriate officers of the a surplus, it will be determined by appraisers staff belonging to the army. The chiefs of the mutually selected according to the preceding secvarious bureaux shall designate the officers and tion, and in this case the decision of the appraispersons who shall be competent to make imers will be binding on the officer, who will not pressments under the authority conferred upon be allowed an appeal therefrom.

them.

VI. These regulations are published as a sub-
stitute for the regulations contained in General
Orders Nos. 37 and 161, series of 1863.
By order.

S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector-General.

Doc. 86.

THE REBEL JUDICIARY.

III. Before any impressment shall be made, the impressing officer or his agent will make an offer to the owner, his bailee, or agent, in writing, for the purchase of the property, describing the property he wishes to purchase, the price he is willing to pay, and the mode of payment, and stating that, upon a refusal to accept the same, compensation will be made according to the acts of Congress for the regulation of impressments. This notice will be considered as binding the STATE RIGHTS AND property until the completion of the negotiation for the sale and transfer of the same to the impressing officer. The property will remain in the custody of the owner, and at his risk, during the pending of these proceedings, unless a delivery of the same be thereupon made to the impressing officer, with his consent. In case of a change of possession under these circumstances, the confederate States will be regarded as the owner, and the property held for its use and at its risk.

cer.

IV. In all cases in which the offer of an impressing officer is refused, he will proceed to adjust the price according to the first section of the act above recited that is, by the judgment of two loyal and disinterested persons of the city, county, or parish in which the impressment may be made one to be selected by the owner, his bailee or agent, and one by the impressing offiIn the event of their disagreement, these two will select an umpire of like qualification. The persons thus selected will proceed to assess just compensation for the property so impressed, whether the absolute ownership or the temporary use thereof be required. If the impressing officer believes that the appraisement is fair and just, he will indorse his approval, and pay for the property; and the right in the object impressed will become the property of the confederate States. But if he does not approve of the

PERSONAL LIBERTY IN THE
SOUTH.

FIRST DECISION IN GEORGIA UNDER THE ANTISUBSTITUTE LAW. Judge O. A. Lochrane, of the Superior Court, Macon Circuit, delivered an original and highly important opinion under the act repealing the substitute law, in the case of Dennis Daley and Philip Fitzgerald vs. C. J. Harris, on Thursday morning, February eleventh, as is reported by the Macon Telegraph:

He held it was not only the right but the duty of a nation to protect itself, and that any contract or right flowing out of the operation of law which came in conflict with the preservation of the State, was an unconstitutional act, not obligatory on the law-making power, and within the constitutional power of the government to repeal.

That the act allowing substitutes was to be regarded as a contract discharging principals from being called into the service; it was then a contract that the principal should not fight in the defence of the country, when it was endangered, and such contract was unauthorized by every principle of constitutional law. If our first Congress had agreed to exempt all men from taxation during the war who paid into the treasury five hundred dollars, such exemption could have been set aside by any subsequent legislature, when the public safety and self-preservation of the government demand it.

He held that the interest of every citizen was

the same as that of the government of which he under the command of General Seymour, left formed a part, and the military service rendered | by the substitute was just as much rendered to the principal as a citizen of the government itself; his life, his honor, his property, and his liberty were defended by the act, and the consideration inured to him as a member of the society which composed the government.

The vested rights of fathers may be annulled over their minor children, to make them soldiers when the public interests demand it, and the law-high-tide at eight o'clock will enable them to float. making power has so declared.

The gunboats Ottawa and Norwich were on duty at the mouth of the river. The Norwich took the lead up the river, and anchored off Jacksonville, with her starboard-guns trained on the town. Immediately following the gunboat was the flag-steamer Maple Leaf, which was followed

All rights, all property, all persons who are citizens of a government, may be used by the government in time of war, and it was the duty of courts to sustain the government in the appropriation of the means exercised rightfully by the legislature to protect the whole people from sub-in turn by the other vessels. jugation and ruin.