Governor A. B. MOORE, Montgomery, Ala.: WASHINGTON, January 16, 1861. Yesterday Republican Senators defeated Crittenden's resolutions and carried Clark's, opposing all constitutional amendments, and declaring for protection of public property, enforcement of laws, and preservation of Union, many Southern Senators not voting. [1.] Governor PERRY, Tallahassee, Fla.: C. C. CLAY, JR. WASHINGTON, January 16, 1861. Our friends here unanimous that no blood must be shed before Southern Confederacy organized. Jeff. Davis tells me to say that in present condition of affairs Pensacola forts not worth one drop of blood. I write by this mail. [1.] Maj. W. H. CHASE, Pensacola, Fla. : S. R. MALLORY. WASHINGTON, January 16, 1861. Yours received. Southern men are unanimous that no blood must be shed in present state of affairs; that we must first organize Southern Confederacy. Jeff. Davis tells me to say that he hopes none will be shed before, and that Pickens is not worth one drop of blood. Excitement here. I write by this mail to you. [1.] S. R. MALLORY. Hon. A. E. MAXWELL, Pensacola, Fla.: WASHINGTON, January 16, 1861. On this we are unanimous Bloodshed at present will ruin our cause. here. Jeff. Davis says Fort Pickens is not worth one drop of blood. See to this, and avoid a collision at all hazards. S. R. MALLORY. (Same to R. C. Campbell and C. C. Yonge, Pensacola, Fla.) [1.] Capt. M. SMITH, Mount Vernon : EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Montgomery, Ala., January 16, 1861. DEAR SIR: Yours of the 9th instant, inclosing copy of the return of ordnance and ordnance stores, &c., at Mount Vernon, furnished by Captain Reno, has been received. This return will be filed in the proper department for future reference, but it is important that you take a true inventory of everything at as early a day as practicable and forward to this department. Col. Duff C. Green, of Mobile, has been appointed assistant quartermaster-general. I inclose your com. mission as captain of ordnance at Mount Vernon. [1.] Respectfully, A. B. MOORE. (JANUARY 17, 1861.] Hon. J. J. PETTUS, Jackson, Miss.: Will you require me in Virginia? Shall I return by Charleston or shall I go direct to Jackson? Has copy of ordinance been forwarded? What do you wish in relation thereto? JEFF'N DAVIS. [1.] WASHINGTON, January 17, 1861. JOSEPH R. DAVIS, Jackson, Miss.: I am still sick. Expect to leave in three days. Have not received the copy of secession ordinance, nor Governor's answer as to Virginia. JEFF'N DAVIS. [1.] Hon. JOHN D. RATHER, President of the Senate: EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, SIR: In obedience to a resolution of the Senate I herewith transmit the several military orders issued by me from this department in regard to the forts and arsenal in Alabama and to the expedition to Pensacola, the latter being done under resolution of the convention of the State of Alabama. The orders in reference to taking the forts and arsenal at Mobile were made upon my own responsibility, and all the companies were discharged except a sufficient force to maintain the positions thus taken after they were secured. Receiving information not now proper to be disclosed, I ordered six companies to Mobile from the interior to protect the forts. Upon their arrival two of the companies who had been stationed at Fort Morgan since its seizure were discharged. In consequence of 500 volunteers being sent from Mississippi to Pensacola having made up about 250 of the men intended to be sent from Mobile, I have ordered four other companies to Pensacola from the interior, which constitutes about the number of 500 men ordered under the resolution of the convention. It will be seen from the orders that several companies were ordered to rendezvous at this place for the purpose of marching to Pensacola at a moment's warning. These orders were made in consequence of receiving dispatches from Pensacola and other places showing the necessity of the movement. Having received other information not now proper to be disclosed, these orders have been countermanded. In all I have done I have had due regard to the public. safety and economy. I trust that the securing of the forts and arsenal, with a very large amount of arms, ammunition, &c., and the probable prevention of a large expenditure of money and blood under the circumstances, will be a sufficient justification of my acts in taking and securing them without the authority of law. Respectfully, A. B. MOORE. Col. T. LOMAX, HEADQUARTERS, Montgomery, January 19, 1861. Second Regiment Alabama Volunteers, Pensacola, Fla.: COLONEL: Your letters up to the 15th, inclusive, have been duly received. The Governor instructs me to say to you that he fully appre ciates your position and that of our brave troops under your command; that he is anxious to do everything in his power to render your condition less irksome and more agreeable. The importance of Pensacola to Alabama in a military point of view was of course the main cause of your expedition; but to accomplish the object properly it became necessary that the Governor of Florida should control it, and therefore the disposition of troops could not be changed without his order and consent. Unless, therefore, he should signify a willingness to assume the entire defense of Pensacola by the troops of that State, and exhibit a force necessary to do so, it would not be practicable or safe to withdraw the volunteers from Alabama at present there until they could be replaced by others. Although the expedition may have failed in its object so far as the actual possession of all the forts is concerned, still it is not the less indispensable that a strong military force should be present to prevent the formation of a great military depot at that point, from which none of the Gulf States would have been free from annoyance, if indeed from actual danger, and especially the large cities of Mobile and New Orleans. The former is not more than fifty miles distant, is entirely defenseless, and if taken Fort Morgan would fall an easy prey to the enemy. Confined to Fort Pickens, if the Federal Government should make war upon us, they could not concentrate any considerable body of troops there, and even though the other forts and navy-yard might be commanded by it, still they themselves could not venture to occupy them while we were present in sufficient numbers. At all events they could not fit out an expedition there for operations upon other points. In view of these facts the Governor hopes you and Major Chase will not lose sight of the importance of works of defense and offense in the immediate vicinity of those forts, in case they should be rendered untenable by the guns of Fort Pickens. It is a question, therefore, submitted to the consideration of yourself and Major Chase, whether or not it might not be better to erect earth-works at a suitable distance inland, and in a great measure out of the range of Fort Pickens, and remove all the guns and material out of Fort Barrancas and the navyyard. If these places are commanded by Fort Pickens it is not safe to allow important stores and material to remain within their walls, and their removal to a more secure and defensible spot should be speedily provided for. So soon as the necessary appropriations are made and it shall be determined to retain your command longer in the service than it was at first contemplated, suitable clothing and magazines shall be furnished you. Until this shall be ascertained the Governor feels sure that you and the gallant men under your command will endure whatever privations and danger the exigencies of the service may call for with the same alacrity, gallantry, and self-sacrificing devotion that has already characterized your conduct. Doctor Ballenger was dispatched to Pensacola on the 17th with what cartridges he had made, with instructions to remain there under your orders for that purpose. The four pieces of ordnance were shipped by railroad this morning. [1.] Very respectfully, J. J. SEIBELS, Colonel and Aide-de-Camp. MILLEDGEVILLE, January 19, 1861-2.30 p.m. Governor PERRY, Tallahassee: Ordinance for immediate secession just passed by 208 to 89. Nearly all will sign it. JOS. E. BROWN. [1.] Governor PERRY, Tallahassee: CHARLESTON, January 19, 1861. Four thousand muskets ready for shipment Monday morning. How shall they be sent and where? [1.] L. W. SPRATT. Col. DUFF C. GREEN, HEADQUARTERS, Montgomery, January 20, 1861. Assistant Quartermaster-General, Mobile, Ala.: COLONEL: The Governor instructs me to acknowledge your telegraphic dispatch of yesterday concerning the supplies sent to Pensacola-tents, knapsacks, &c. The stores taken at the navy-yard at Pensacola have not been reported to headquarters unfit for use. On the contrary, Colonel Lomax writes that the troops "draw their supplies principally from the navy-yard," without any complaint of their quality. He also reports a quantity of pork, beef, rice, bread, butter, cheese, beans, molasses, spirits, candles, &c., as being on hand. Of course our troops must have good and sound food of the proper kind, but the force at Pensacola is under the command and orders of the Governor of Florida, those from Alabama sent there at his request, and if supplies or magazines of any kind are needed which cannot be furnished by that State application should be made for them here if it is desired that Alabama should supply them. While we are willing to do everything in our power for the honor and safety of the seceding States, yet it is but just and fair that the expenses and sacrifices should be mutually and proportionately borne by each... You will therefore keep a proper and distinct account of the supplies, &c., furnished to troops at Pensacola, designating by whose orders or requisition sent and for what particular troops if practicable. The tents spoken of in your dispatch have arrived, but have not been examined. It is presumed that you attended to that before they were received and shipped. Very respectfully, &c., [1.] J. J. SEIBELS, Aide-de-Camp. HEADQUARTERS, Capt. M. SMITH, Montgomery, January 20, 1861. Captain of Ordnance, Mount Vernon, Ala.: SIR: The Governor directs me to authorize you to employ the men you name in your letter of the 14th, at the prices stated by you, as necessary to attend to the arsenal and grounds at Mount Vernon. The return of Captain Reno and the map is herewith returned, copies having been retained here. You will see that the powder in the arsenal is properly sunned and kept dry, and that the arms are not allowed to rust. Took formal leave of Senate to-day, with Mississippi and Florida Senators. Fitzpatrick leaves to-morrow, Clay Monday. Č. C. CLAY, JR. BEN. FITZPATRICK. (Same to William M. Brooks, Montgomery, Ala.) [1.] [JANUARY 21, 1861.] Hon. R. TOOMBS, Milledgeville, Ga.: Send official notice from president convention. Seceding Senators withdrew to-day. [1.] JOHN J. JONES. Col. W. H. CHASE, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Commandant of Forces at Pensacola: SIR: I have appointed Col. John H. Forney my special aide, who will report himself to you at Pensacola. He is sent to that point for the purpose of aiding in drilling Alabama troops and performing any other military duties you may assign him, consistent with his position. He is a gentleman of the highest integrity, and an experienced officer. You may repose in him the fullest confidence. [1.] Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. B. MOORE. WASHINGTON, January 22, 1861. Col. WILLIAM H. CHASE, Pensacola, Fla.: Yours received. The ships ordered [to] keep outside the port, and to act strictly on the defensive. I leave to-morrow. Send future communications to Slidell here. S. R. MALLORY. |