Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-07

The following communication frem President
DAVIS is of general interest:
RICHMOND, June "a, 1861
Hon. John T. Chd8sbiSs, Chairman DC:
SIR: have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your communication, accompanied by resolu>
ton of inquiry, adopted by the committee of the
Convention of the State of Virginia, whether pri~
to the 18th day of April any of the Confederate
States had transferred to the Confederate Govern
ment the public property captured 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 terr1s'-to all of
which have to reply that, on the 18th of Februa
ry 1861 the Congress of the Confederate States of
America assumed charge of the questions pending
between the several States of the CoDfederacy and
the Government of the United States relating to the
occupation of FORTS arsenals dock yards and other
public establishments and directed that act to be
communicated to the several States; and again,
the 10Th of March, 1861, the Congress recommended
the respective States to cede the forts, arsenals
dock yards and other public establishments within
their respective limits, to the Confederate States
and, in case of such cession, authorized and en-
powered the President to take charge of the said
property. 1t was also provided by Act of 2Sth Feb
ruary 1861 that the President be authorized and
directed to assume control Of all military operations
between the Confederate States any of them,
and powers foreign to them; and he was author
lied to receive from che several States the and
munitions of war acquired from the United States
and then in the forts arsenals and navy yards of
said States and all other and munitions which
they might desire to turn over and make chargea-
bic to the Confederate Government.
In response thereto, the State of Georgia did on
the 10Th March, 1861, by an Ordinance of her
Convention, authorize the Confederate States Of
America to occupy, use and hold possession OF all
forts, navy yards, arsenals, custom houses, and
other public sites with theirappurtenances within
the limits of said State and lately in possession of
the United States Of America and to repair,
build, and coatrSl the at its discretion until
the ordinance should be repealed by convention of
the people of said ate. By another ordinance of
same date and authority the control of all military
operations in said State having reference to, or
connected with, questions between said State, or
any of the Confederate States Of America, and
powers foreign to them, was transferred to the
Government Of the Confederate States of America
In like manner was transferred the arms and NUM-
tons of war acquired from the United States and
then remaining 10 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
or steamers belonging to said State, az in his Judg
ment might be expedient and upon such terms as
should be agreed upon. The Government of the
Confederate States was to become accountable for
all such arms and munitions of war should be
transferred.
On the 9Th April, 1861, an ordinance adopted
by South Carolina which, in terms OF similar i'm
port to that Of the State of Georgia. transferred to
the Government of the Confederate States all tie
er public sites in her limits. Though not file in
the War Office my recollection is that the and
munitions of were in like manner transferred
On the 10th March, 1861, the State of Texas, by
an ordinance of her Convention, in like manner
signed to the Government of the Confederate States
all the forts and navy yards arsenals and lighthouses
and their appurtenanees within her limits.
On the 9Th May, 1861 the State Of Arkansas, in
convention, by ordinance, instructed and commits
stoned her delegates TO the Provisional Congress of
the Confederate States to cede convey and tranfer
to the Government of the Confederate States of
America the site buildings and appurtenances of
the hospital at Napoleon, with several conditions
annexed none of which probably affected the use of
the property by the Confederate States. This pow
er has not yet been exercised by the delegates COM
! mlssioned as above stated
On the 9Th June, 1861 North Carolina by ordi-
nance of the State Convention ceded to the Confed
crate States af America jurisdiction the
al at Fayetteville, except that civil process in all
! cases. and such criminal process may issue
der the authority of the State of North Carolina
against any person or persons charged with crimes
committed without said tract of land, may be execu-
! ted therein. and transferred arsenals magazines
&e the title and possession of the lands described
! TO the Government of the Confederate states l
have not been advised of any decision by the Con-
vention of North Carolina in relation to the trans
fer of arms captured from the 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
are now on duty within the limits OF TINS State.
In the removal of the seat Of government to the
| city of Richmond. box, containing portion of the
files of the War Office has accidentally been separa-
| ted. and has not yet arrived from this or ether
cause have not been able to obtain record evidence
/ of the action Of the States Of AlsbamI Florida,
Louisiana and Mississippi, and therefore state the
action of their several State conventions from MEM
! DRY.
| In regard to the first named, the course adopted
/ was similar to that of Georgia. In Louisiana the
! Governor authorized, his judgment should
direct to transfer to the Government of the Coned
! crate States the arms and other public property
! captured from the United States.
| The forts and arsenal at Baton Rouge have been
| occupied 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 arms or munitions of war were
captured from the United States hut those obtained
| by purchase before her secession have been used
to supply troops furnished requisitiOn for the
Confederate service-say ten or eleven regiments
now employed beyond the limits of the State. The
only public property within the limits of the State
and recently held By the Government of the United
! States, was an unfinished fort Ship island and
! two marine hospitals the Mississippi river. The
| first is in the possession and the second at the
| disposal of the Government of the Confederate
States. am, most respectfully, yours,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.