Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-07-25
Important Letter from pre.,as,. n.,,.

Important Letter from President Davis.
The following letter from our Chief Executive in re-
gard to the relations sustained to each other by the
Confederate States and toe separate States composing
the Republic, in reference to public property &c though
not OF very recent date cannot fail to be read with
much interest
RICHMOND. June "a, 1861.
Hon John K. Chamblsss Chairman, &c:
SIR have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your communication accompanied by resolution of n-
curry adopted by the committee of the Convention of
the state OF Virginia, whether prior to the Oath day
of April any of the Confederate States had transferred
to the Confederate Government the public property cap
tured by them from the late United States and upon
what terms also whether any such transfers have been
made since the said date, and upon what terms ito
all OF which have to reply that the 18th of Febru-
ary 1861 the Congress Of the Confederate States of
America assumed the charee of the questions pending
between the several States of the Conederacy and the
Government of the United States relating to the occu-
patton OF FORTS arsenas, dock yards and other public
establishments and directed that act to be
TO the several States and again the 18th of March,
1861 the Congress recommended the respective States
to cede the FORTS arsenas dock yards and other public
establishments within their respective limits to the Con-
Iodefae States and OF Snch ceSSOn authorized
and empowered the President to take charge of the said
property 1t also provided by act of 18th of Feb
ruary 1861, that the President be authorized and d.
rected to assume control of all military operations be-
tween the Confederate States or any of them, and
powers foreign to them and he was authorized to re-
ceVe from the several States the and munitions of
war acquired from the United States and then in the
1orts, arsenas and navy yards of said States and all
other arms and munitions which they might desire to
turn over and make chageabe to the Confederate Gov
eminent.
In response thereto the State of Georgia did, on the
goth March, 1861. by an ordinance of her Convention
authorize the Confederate States of America to occupy
use and hold possession of all the forts, navyyarde
senaS customhouses and other public SITES with their
appurtenances within the limits of said State and late
y IN possession of the United States of America and
to repair rebuild and control the same at its discretion
until the ordinance should be repealed by Convention
OF the people Ut said State. By another ordinance of
said date and authority, the control of all military ope
ratlons In said State having reference to- connected
WITH questions between said State anv of the Con-
tolerate States of America and powers foreign to them
was transferred to the Government of the Confederate
States OF America In like transferred the
arms and munitions OF war acquired from the United
States and then remaining in the forts and arsenals
1t was further provided that the Governor be authorized
to transfer to the Government of the Confederate States
such arms munitions of war; armed vessels steamers
belonging to said State, in his Judgment might be
expedent, and upon such forms should be agreed
upon. The Government of the Confederate States was
to become accountable for all such arms and munitions
of should be transferred.
On the 9th April, 1861, an ordinance was adopted
by South Carolina which, 10 terms of similar import to
that of the State of Georgia. transferred to the Govern
ment OF the Confederate States all the forts arsenas
customhouses navy yards and other public sites in her
limits. lhough not on file in the War Office, my re-
collection is that the and munitions of were in
like manner transferred.
On the 20lh OF March, 1861, the State of Texas by
ordinance of her Convention 10 like manner assigned
to the Government Of the Confederate States all the
forts and navyyards arsenas and lighthouses and their
aPpurtenances, within her limits.
On the 9th OF May, 1861, the State of Arkansas, in
Convention, by ordinance instructed and commissioned
her dlegates to the Provisional Congress of the Con-
ederate States to cede convey and transfer to the Gov
Of the Confederate States of America the site
building aud appurenances of the arsenal at Little
Rock, and the SITE buildings and appurtenances OF the
hospital at Napoleon with several conditions annexed
of which probably affect the of the property by
the Confederate States This power has not yet been
exercised by the delegates commissioned above stated
On the 9th OF june North Carolina, by ordinance
of the State Convention, coded to the Confederate
States of America jurisdiction the arsenal at Fay
eteVle except that civil process all cases. and such
criminal prOc sses as may Issue under the authority Of
the State OF North Carolina against any person per-
charged with crimes committed without said tract
of land, may be executed therein and transferred
nals magazines &c, the title and possession of the
lands described to the Government of the Confederate
States have been advised of any decision by the
Convention OF Worth Carolina ia relation the trans
fer of captured from tee United States though it
is known that part OF those arms have been sent to
Virginia. and another portion issued to troops who have
been mustered into service and duty within
the limits OF this State
In the removal OF the seat of Government to the city
OF Richmond a box, containing portion of the files OF
the War Office has accidenty been separated and has
not yet arrived. From this other cause, have not
been able to obtain record evidence of the action of the
States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi,
and therefore state the action of the several State Con-
ventions from memory.
10 regard to the first named the course adopted was
similar to that of Georgia. In Louisiana, the Cover
nor authorized as his judgment should direct, to
transfer to the Government of the Confederate States
the arms and other public property captured from the
United States
The forts and arsenal at Baton Rouge have been
cuped by the Confederate troops and portion of the
arms in that arsenal have been transferred.
The action Of Florida was generally the same. In
Mississippi, no munitions OF war captured
from the United States bur those obtained by pur-
chase before her secession have been used to supply
troops furnished requisiton for the Confederate
vice-say ten Or eleven Regiments now employed be-
vond the limits of the State. lhe only public property
within the limits of the State, and recently held by the
Government of the United States, was an unfinished
fort on Ship Island and two marine hospitals the
Mississippi river. The first is in sson and the
second at the disposal OF the Government, of the Con
ederate States.
I am, most respectfully, yours,