Richmond, January 12, 1863
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| The Senate and House of Representatives of the
Confederate States |
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| ***** |
| The operations of the War Department
have been in the main satisfactory. ***** It is gratifying to
perceive that under all the efforts and sacrifices of war the power,
means, and resources of the Confederacy for its successful
prosecution are increasing. Dependence on foreign supplies is to be
deplored, and should, as far a practicable, be obviated by the
development and employment of internal resources. The peculiar
circumstances of the country; hoverer, render this difficult and
require extraordinary encouragements and facilities to be granted by
the Government. The embarrassments resulting from the limited
capacity of the railroads to afford transportation and the
impossibility of otherwise commanding and distributing the necessary
supplies for the armies render the control of the roads under some
general supervision and resort to the power of impressment military
exigencies. While such powers have to be exercised, they should be
guarded by judicious provisions against perversion or abuse and be,
as recommended by the Secretary, under due regulation of law. |
| ***** |
| Jefferson Davis |
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