limit of its own revenues by the 1st of March next, as required by the Constitution.
I am happy to inform you that in spite of both blandishments and threats, used in profusion by the agents of the Government of the United States, the Indian nations within the Confederacy have remained firm in their loyalty and steadfast in the observance of their treaty engagements with this Government. Nor has their fidelity been shaken by the fact that, owing to the vacancies in some of the offices of agents and superintendents, delay has occurred in the payments of the annuities and allowances to which they are entitled. I would advise some provision authorizing payments to be made by other officers, in the absence of those specially charged by law with this duty.
We have never-ceasing cause to be grateful for the favor with which God has protected our infant Confederacy. And it becomes us reverently to return our thanks and humbly to ask of his bounteousness that wisdom which is needful for the performance of the high trusts with which we are charged.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States.
I herewith transmit for your information the report of the Secretary of the Treasury and accompanying estimates, to which reference was made in my message[1] of yesterday, and invite your careful attention to the statements and recommendations contained in them.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States.
I herewith transmit for your information a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, supplementary to his report appended to my message to Congress of the 18th inst., and covering the report of Lieutenant John W. Dunnington, C. S. Navy, of the engagement at St. Charles, on the White River, in the State of Arkansas.
