The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-01
UNITED STATES PROPERTY IN THE REBE1
STATES.


Richmond, June "a, 1851.
fEhkY COMMITTEE &c.:Srl havo the honor 10 ackn0wl
cage the receipt OF your corn ncaon, accompanied ID
resolution Of inquiry adopted by the commiltee Of I'd
Convention Of the State OF Virginia, whether, prior
the 2th day OF April any OF the Confederate States a
transferred 10 tao COME ierate government the pub
property captured by them from the late United Satc
and ulon what terms also whether any Such transie
telms all Of which have to reply that, the l2t|
OF February 1861 the Congress the Confederate STAT
OF America assumed charge Of the Questions peadng b
tween the several States Of tho confedoracy an1
the government Of the United States, relating
the occupation Of forts, arscnals, backwards au'
otter public establishments, and directed that al
to DO communicated to the several States au|
again. on the 18Th o. March, 1851 the Congress recon-
mended the respective States to cede the forts, ars
mis-, dockyards, and other public esta ,shman(
within theS respective limits, to the Confederate States
and, in case of such cesscn, authorized and empower
the President 10 take charge Of the said proesy.f
also provided by act OF 2Sth February, 1861 that u
President be authorized and directed to contro
all military operations between the Confederate States
any of them and Powers foreign to them; and he "
authorized to receive from the severa, States tho
and munitions pf war acapi' ed from The United states
then IN tu forts, arscnas and navy yards said stat
aud all other arms and munitions which tn might q,
to turn over and make chargcabie to the Confedera
government.
In response thereto. the state Of Georgia did,
the goth Of March, 1861, by an ordinance of hcr Gu
yent'on, authorized Che Confederate States
America to occupy, use and hold possession Of
forts, navy yards, arscnas, custom hcoscs a
other public SITES with their aplurtilances, With
the limits Of saidsS,a,e ana lately in poss ,ssiap
the United states Of America. and 10 repair,
the ordinance should be repealed by convention
the people u said State. BY another ordinance
same date and authority the control of oil military ops
tons in said State having reference to- connected WI
questions between sait State any OF tho fopfodcra
States Of America, and Powers foreign 10 them
ferrcd TO the government Of tho Conf derate States
America. In like manner WIS transferred the arms
munitions Of war acquired from tho United States
then remaining in the foris and arscnals II fur,k
provided that the Governor DO authorized TO transer
the government Of the Confederate STATES such arms
nitians of war, armed vessels cleaners belonging
sail State, Us in his Judgment might be eXpedient,
upon such terms should b. agreed upon The Cover
ment OF the Confederate States was become accouta
for all such arms and munitions Of as should be tra
fcrrcJ.
On the 9Th Of April 1861, an ordinance was adopted
South Carolina which, in terms OF similar import TO III
of the State Of Georgia, transferred 10 the government
houses, navy yards, and other public sites in her limit
Though not on file in tn, War Office, my recollection
that the arms and munitions Of war wore in like MANI
transferred.
On the 20,h Of March, 1861, the stats Of Texas by
ordinance Of her Convention, in like 'ass gned
the government Of thee onfederate States all the forts
navy yards, arsonals and lighthouses and their appt
tenanc,s within her limits.
On the 9th of May, 1861 the State Of Arkansas in CO
yenton by ordnance, instructed and commissioned
States to cede convoy and transfer to the government
the Confederate States Of America the site, buildings
appurt Of tho Arsenal Little Rock and the sid
buildings and appurtcnances Of the hospital at Napol
with several conditions annexed, rono OF which probab
affect tho use Of the property by the Confederate stat
This power has not yet been exercised by the deega
commissioned as above stated.
On the 5th Of juno, 1861, North Carolina, by ORD
nance Of the state Convention, cedod TO the c.
federate States Of America jurisdiction over Il
Arsenal at Fayetteville, except that civil process
all cases, and such criminal process as may IND
the authority of the State OF North Caroline aainst
person persons charged with crimes committed wtns
said tract Of land may be executed therein. and tran
fcrcd arsenals, magazines &C. the title and possoss
Of the lands described to the or the Coined
rate States have not been advised of any decision
the Convention OF North Crroina in relation TO the tran
of captured from (nitcd States tboHpA Il
known that part Of those arms have been sent 10
gnia, and another portion issued to troops who have
mustered into service and are now on duty wit
the limits Of this State
In the removal Of tho seat of government TO the city
Richmond a box, containing portion Of the h!es of
War Olce, has accidentally been separated aud Las
yet arrived. From this other have not been 81
Alabama Florida, louisiana and Mississippi, and ths
fore state the action OF their several State Convent
from memory.
In r,gard 10 the frat named, the course adopted
similar 20 that OF Georgia In Louisiana the Governor
authorized, his Judgment should direct transfer
the governm mt Of the Confederate States the
other plblc property canured from the United States
The forts and arsenal at Baton Rouge have been occ
pied by the Confederate troops, and portion Of the
la that ar sera' have been transferred.
The action " Florida was generally the srme. IN
sissppi no arms or munitions Of war captured ro
the United States, but those obtained by plca.c heu
her secession have been used ~ supply troons furnish
on requsition for the Confederate servce-say ten
eleven regiments now employed beyond The lmits OF
State The only public property within the limits OF
State and recently held by the government Of the Unit
States. unfinished fort on Shn island and two
rinc hospitals on the Mississippi river The first IN
possession and the second ut the disposal, ol the COVE
nent OF the Confederate States am, most respectful
yours, 'hfFERsoN DAVIS