James A. Seddon to Nation the annual interest upon the several sums of money invested, January 21, 1864

Richmond, Va., January 21, 1864.

His Excellency M. L. BONHAM, Governor of South Carolina, Columbia, 8. C.:

Sir: I have received your letter of the lth instant requesting me to furnish you with a copy of my order declaring that soldiers appointed to military academies cannot be discharged.

In reply I have the honor to say that the Department has uniformly declined to grant discharges in such cases, on the ground that the best school of instruction, as well as the most honorable service, is now in the field. I am very reluctant to deprive the youth of the country of the opportunity of mental improvement, but all considerations of private advantage must now yield to the paramount duty of defending the country.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Secretary of War.

AN ACT appropriating one hundred thousand dollars for the use and benefit of

the Cherokee Nation.

Whereas, by the forty-fifth article of the treaty between the Confederate States of America and the Cherokee Nation, the said Confederate States promised to collect and pay over to the Cherokee

Nation the annual interest upon the several sums of money invested

by said nation in stocks of certain States of the Confederate States;

and whereas, by reason of the war with the United States, it is