The House respectfully informs the Senate that in obedience to the proclamation of his Excellency the Governor, the House has assembled, a quorum is present, and is now ready to proceed to business.

By order of the House,

The day for your annual meeting is so near at hand, that I should not have convoked you again in extra session, but for what I deem a pressing emergency, admitting of no delay. The progress of the war for the last few months has not been favorable to our arms. The brilliant repulse of the enemy's ironclad fleet on the 7th of April last, in Charleston harbor, has been succeeded by the fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson; our retirement from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Tennessee, and also by our evacuation of Morris' Island, but not without a stubborn resistance by the brave garrisons of Wagner and Gregg, under a fire from naval and land batteries, such as no works have ever before withstood. Fort Sumter still holds out with an infantry garrison which has recently achieved a brilliant success. Her noble ruins afford the best proofs of the indomitable courage of the officers and men of the First South Carolina Artillery. Our malignant foe is now erecting on Morris' Island powerful batteries of Parrott guns, and repairing his damaged fleet, preparatory to another and more determined attack upon our harbor outposts, whilst his land forces are being increased with the hope, possibly, of carrying Charleston in a combined attack by land and sea. The call of the President for five thousand troops for six months' service within the State, beginning the first of August last, has been promptly responded to, with the exception of five companies, now in process of organization. This requisition and the enforcement of the Conscription Act to forty-five, embracing almost the entire population between the ages of forty and fifty, so impair the efficiency of our militia organization, that I find it impracticable to obtain readily a force adequate to such emergencies as seem likely now soon to be upon us. To meet those emergencies I have endeavored, under your late Act and the Act of 1841, to raise a volunteer force of one mounted regiment, two companies of cavalry, and one battery of artillery, for service wherever in the State they may be needed. This force has not been so promptly raised as the occasion requires, and I have therefore felt it my duty to again convene your bodies, and to recommend to you that you devise such plan as in your wisdom may seem expedient, for furnishing for immediate service a military force of at least two regiments of infantry, one of which should be mounted, and a proportionate force of cavalry and artillery. Also, that the law be so amended as to place in some military organization, for the defence of the State, every able-bodied citizen between the ages of sixteen and sixty, not in Confederate service or otherwise legally exempted. The immediate danger to be apprehended arises from raiding parties of the enemy, who may dash suddenly into the State from Tennessee, through upper Georgia, or the passes of the mountains of North and South Carolina. Should the enemy in large force attempt invasion from these sections, the Confederate Government will, no doubt, afford adequate protection. But to repel raids and to protect our firesides, the State herself should make preparation. The persons to compose the organizations should be the able-bodied citizens between sixteen and sixty years of age, not in Confederate service, or otherwise legally exempted; and in this class should be embraced all persons who have procured exemptions by furnishing substitutes. No one should be relieved from the duty of defending his home because of having furnished a substitute for the war for Confederate service. Aliens who have declared their purpose to become citizens, as also such as are domiciled amongst us, enjoying the protection of our laws, should be included. I recommend, also, that the class of those whose service is limited to the district or regiment in which they reside, be reduced to the lowest practicable point consistent with the safe policy of the State. I call your attention to the report of the Adjutant and Inspector General upon this subject, herewith transmitted.

In connection with the subject of exemptions, I call your attention to my correspondence with the Commandant of Conscripts for South Carolina, Major C. D. Melton, who is the successor of Colonel John S. Preston, with whom previous to your last extra session, I had a correspondence, a copy of which was then transmitted to you. Another copy, as also a copy of that with Maj. Melton is now transmitted. This subject calls for legislation so as to reconcile as far as possible the difference between the laws of the two Governments. It is an important question, involving the jurisdiction of the two governments, and needs to be delicately handled. I am satisfied our true policy is as far as is compatible with the constitutional rights of the State, to conform to the law of Congress on this subject I have not felt at liberty to make any distinction between the classes exempted by our law when the cases have been made, but have claimed exemption of all alike. The action of the Executive Council, on the same subject, and the action of your two Houses, at your last session, (the House approving and the Senate by its silence acquiescing in my action), made it proper that I should reply to Maj Melton, as I had done to Col. Preston.

Additional legislation is needed to enable the Executive, through civil or military authority, or both, more effectually to aid the Confederate Government in arresting deserters from the army. In most cases the absentees have probably not left their commands with the intent to desert their colors; but the result of their absence is the same, so far as the good of the service and protection of the country is concerned. I have endeavored, so far as I was authorized, to afford assistance, but the law is inadequate to such efficient aid as is needed. Many construe your late act on this subject to mean that the Sheriffs are not to render aid to the Enrolling Officer till resistance has been made. In all such cases the deserter, of course, makes his escape. Such law as you may think proper to pass should embrace deserters from State service, and should also punish aiding and abetting deserters in escaping from the army, and in resisting or avoiding arrest.

I invite your attention to the operation of the system of impressment adopted by the Confederate Government. I am informed that in some sections, where the people have little more than is absolutely necessary for their own use, it is apprehended that destitution will be brought about by its unequal operation. Coming as you do from every section of the State, you are doubtless better informed upon this subject than myself, and better prepared to adopt a judicious policy than I am now to suggest it. I have called the attention of the Confederate Government to the subject, and suggested to them the probability that the collection of the tax in kind, which operates more equally on all, would obviate the necessity for the impressment of provisions.

The system adopted for furnishing labor for coast defences has failed to accomplish its purpose. Large numbers have availed themselves of the provision of the law, and paid the fine of one dollar and fifty cents instead of furnishing the labor; and others, with the hope of impunity, have neither furnished the labor or paid the fine. With the money collected by the agent, he has been unable to hire any labor. I recommend an amendment of the Acts on this subject, so as to abolish the fine, and so as to authorize the Governor, through the Commissioners of Roads, (who, in the main are true to their trusts,) to impress the labor requisite to enable him to respond to the calls of the Commanding General, giving credit for all labor previously furnished, and that the time of service be extended to two months. The free negroes should be included. I doubt not that there has been cause for the complaint heretofore made as to the treatment and detention of the negroes, but it is believed that through the instrumentality of the energetic State Agent, (whose report is herewith transmitted,) many of the evils have been remedied.

I herewith transmit to you a United States flag, received from General Beauregard, by the hands of Captain Miles, of the Charleston Battalion, with a letter from General Beauregard, committing it through me to the custody of the State, and my reply thereto; and also the photographs of the ruins of Fort Sumter referred to in his letter.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, through Capt. Miles, of the Charleston Battalion, of the flag captured on the 8th inst. from the enemy at Fort Sumter by the garrison; the photographs of Fort Sumter, and your letter accompanying them.

The Committee of Conference of the two Houses, in relation to their disagreement respecting certain amendments to the Senate Bill, entitled “A Bill to organize a Brigade of Troops,” respectfully report:

That, after a fair and full conference, they have agreed to recommend, and do recommend, that the House adhere to the first amendment, and recede from all the others.

The House respectfully informs the Senate that this House agrees to the report of the Committee of Conference, on a Bill to organize a Brigade of Troops; and, pursuant thereto, this House respectfully recedes from asking leave of the Senate to make the amendments referred to in the message from the House, with the exception of the following section:

“That such persons and employees in each paper mill and newspaper or printing establishment and iron manufactories, as the Adjutant and Inspector General, with the approval of the Governor, may see fit to exempt from time to time from military service, be exempted.”

By order of the House,

The Committee on the Military and Pensions, to whom was referred a resolution from the House of Representatives, authorizing the Confederate Government to raise certain troops, ask leave to report:

That they have considered the same, and recommend that the Senate concur in the resolution, with the following amendment, viz: after the word “Government,” in the first line of the resolution, insert “with the consent of the Governor.”

Since your last annual meeting, the enemy has obtained possession of Port Hudson, Vicksburg, Chattanooga and Morris Island, not, however, without paying dearly for his possessions; and a second time have our troops evacuated Pennsylvania and Maryland, though not defeated. There is in this no cause for despondency. He is this day relatively weaker than he was before these events, his armies being widely separated, and further from their bases of supplies, whilst the Confederacy is relatively stronger, our armies possessing the facilities for more rapid concentration by interior lines, and being nearer their bases of supplies. The great battle of Chickamauga, in which some of Carolina's noblest sons have fallen, has illustrated the truth of this proposition. Beyond the points obtained, he has made no real progress towards the accomplishment of his purpose—the subjugation of the South. Our harvests have been bountiful, our country healthy, and our people have been rendered, if possible, more united and resolved by the vandalism of our foes. The siege of Charleston, now far advanced into its fifth month, conducted with a power and range of metal and destructiveness of projectiles, hitherto unknown in warfare, and a malignity that respects neither sex, age, or condition, has shown to our enemies that they will probably never place their unhallowed feet upon the soil of that brave old city; but, if they do, it will be only they have reduced it to a heap of ruins. Sumter, held with a gallantry and a tenacity which will immortalize its noble defenders, is now in ruins, but is yet a giant in its powers of resistance. To the west of the Mississippi, our troops have gained important advantages. In Tennessee, the enemy's forces are besieged in Chattanooga and driven from Knoxville, and the army of the Potomac stands ready to give him another Fredericksburg reception. It behooves us, however, not to relax our efforts. Untiring energy and perseverance are essential to success. A bitter and wily foe watches our every movement, prepared to take every advantage. Our people have counted the cost, and have determined upon independence or annihilation; it is ours to leave nothing undone to secure the object of this revolution. Never was the remark more applicable, that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance. The State Legislatures have no unimportant part to play in this great drama. They can aid the Confederate Government, by assisting in clothing the troops, in repelling the raids of our enemies, and in feeding the families of our soldiers in arms. In all measures which you, in your wisdom, may adopt, looking to the successful issue of this great struggle, you may, gentlemen, rely upon my hearty coöperation.

The supplying of slave labor for coast defences has proved perplexing. Our energetic State Agent, whose report is herewith transmitted, has done all in his power to enforce your Acts on this subject. But the system has not furnished all the labor which the pressing emergencies at Charleston required. The Confederate General felt the necessity of impressing, in September last, additional labor to secure the safety of the city. This action, I did not, under the circumstances, hesitate to approve. It would seem that no system imposing penalties, is likely to secure equality and success. The patriotic send their slaves; other will pay, if the fine is not too heavy, or take the chances of escape through the Courts. Much complaint is made of the mismanagement and treatment of the negroes; of their detention in violation of the contract and the law, and that so many citizens furnish no labor at all. The first complaint, I am sorry to believe, there is foundation for; but the remedy for the evil is difficult, and must necessarily rest with the Confederate authorities. The second, I have been given to understand, arises from the inability of the State authorities to replace the labor at the end of the month. The third is the result of a radical defect in the system itself. If labor is still to be furnished, and I have no intimation that it will not be needed, (so long as the coast is invaded, and there is need of it, it ought to be furnished,) the plan which will secure the greatest equality, in my judgment, is to authorize the Governor or State Agent, or the Confederate General commanding the department, if it is preferred, to impress through the Commissioners of Roads, for two months' service, the equal proportion of every slaveholder, owning more than one road hand. My acquaintance, for some years past, with the organization of these Boards, leads me to believe that they would fairly and impartially discharge the duty, and furnish the labor promptly. An extension of the time of service is recommended, to lessen the expenses of transportation, and because every change requires a new organization, which takes, I learn, the better part of the first week. Besides, it is not the time the hands are kept, of which planters complain, if they are advertised of it; it is their detention, contrary to the understanding and their previous arrangements.

Owing to the disorganization of the State militia, by the enforcement of the Conscript Acts of Congress up to the age of forty five, it will require much time to reorganize it, so as to make it at all effective. Upon this subject, I ask your attention to the Report of the Adjutant and Inspector General. In the present condition of things, a permanent force, taken by volunteering or draft, proportionally from each military division of the State, would be much more effective. The militia, for protection against raids, cannot be brought so promptly into the field; would not be so effective; and suddenly called out by regiments, would take the entire agricultural white labor of the particular regiments from home, perhaps at harvest, perhaps at seed-time. On this subject, I beg leave to embody an extract from the recent message of the patriotic Executive of Georgia.

Speaking of his two regiments of State troops, their protecting the rear of General Bragg's army since he has been near Chattanooga, and their importance in time of war, he says: “Had the State not been able to protect his rear, the General must have sent part of his own army to do that duty, which would have weakened his force, and made his success more doubtful. * * * * In case of a raid into this State, this force would be of great service in the protection of public and private property, and in repelling the aggressors. No State in the Confederacy should be without such a force during the continuance of the war, as emergencies must frequently arise which make it indispensably necessary that the State have at her command a force sufficient to suppress slave insurrections, repel incursions of the enemy, or meet other sudden exigencies. I notice that the Governor of South Carolina has lately convened the Legislature, and recommended the organization of a similar force in that gallant State.”

The cost of such a body of troops may be objected to. If two regiments are two much, let one be raised, to be put in the field when needed, and wholly or partially furloughed when not needed. This is no time to count the cost of maintaining a small force to protect the State against raids, our women and children from insult, our hearth-stones from desecration. With but two companies of mounted troops. (the Combahee Rangers were disbanded in July last,) I was enabled with one, Rogers' company, to guard, in part, the eastern coast of the State, and with the other, Boykin's, materially to assist the Confederate Government in arresting deserters, which delicate duty has been most satisfactorily performed. I have also been enabled recently, at the request of Governor Vance, to send one company, Captain Boykin's, into North Carolina, where it has rendered most efficient services, as will be seen by reference to the report of the Captain, and General Vance's order returning them to their own State, copies of which are herewith transmitted. His command engaged and repulsed a force larger than his own, Captain Boykin having two men wounded, one probably mortally.

I herewith transmit a copy of the able and satisfactory Report of Major Niernsee, State Engineer, upon the obstruction of the Santee, and a battery at Taber's Point, St. Matthew's Parish, Orangeburg District, together with a letter from General Beauregard in relation thereto.

Accompanying this Message, is a report of the Commissary General, showing the progress made in suppressing undue distillation in the State, and explaining the inability of the State to furnish, as yet, whiskey for medicinal purposes. Your law prohibiting undue distillation, has contributed largely toward keeping down the price of breadstuffs, particularly Indian corn. If the Confederate Government would receive its tithe, and postpone impressments for the present, (holders will not destroy the supplies, nor can they conceal them,) I believe the breadstuffs in the country are amply sufficient for the people and the army.

The question of conflict between the State and Confederate Exemption Acts has been submitted to the courts, and I am just informed that the decision of the Circuit Court is, “that neither the Ordinance nor the Act amendatory of it, contemplated exemption from any service besides militia service in the State, and so neither is in conflict with the Conscription laws.” As I said in my message of September last, I think it is our true policy to amend our exemption laws, so as to make them conform as nearly as practicable to those of the Confederate Government. This may be done without yielding the right of the State to exempt such portion of her population as she may choose, and when she may choose, for police and other purposes. If the Confederate Government will put into the field the most of the able-bodied men between eighteen and forty-five, now occupied as Quartermasters and Commissaries, Purchasing Agents, Enrolling Officers and Impressing Agents, and in other similar positions, the great mass of whose places can be as well, in many, and in some instances better, filled by disabled soldiers, and the State Governments will conform their's to the Confederate Exemption Acts, the Confederate Government can command a force that will drive beyond our borders all the armies the Abolition Government can congregate for the further prosecution of this unholy war. Your attention is invited to the views of the Adjutant and Inspector General upon this and other subjects referred to, in his report accompanying this Message.