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[441] should be agreed upon. The Government of the Confederate States was to become accountable for all such arms and munitions of war as should be transferred.

On the 8th of April, 1861, an ordinance was adopted by South Carolina, which, in terms of similar import to that of the State of Georgia, transferred to the Government of the Confederate States all the forts, arsenals, custom houses, navy yards, and other public sites in her limits. Though not on file in the War Office, my recollection is that the arms and munitions of war were in like manner transferred.

On the 20th of March, 1861, the State of Texas, by an ordinance of her convention, in like manner assigned to the Government of the Confederate States all the forts and navy yards, arsenals and lighthouses and their appurtenances within her limits.

On the 6th of May, 1861, the State of Arkansas, in convention, by ordinance, instructed and commissioned her delegates to the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States to cede, convey, and transfer to the Government of the Confederate States of America the site, buildings, and appurtenances of the arsenal at Little Rock, and the site, buildings, and appurtenances of the hospital at Napoleon, with several conditions annexed, none of which probably affect the use of the property by the Confederate States. This power has not yet been exercised by the delegates commissioned as above stated.

On the 5th of June, 1861, North Carolina, by ordinance of the State Convention, ceded to the Confederate States of America jurisdiction over the arsenal at Fayetteville, except that civil process in all cases, and such criminal process as may issue under the authority of the State of North Carolina, against any person or persons charged with crimes committed without said tract of land, may be executed therein, and transferred arsenals, magazines, &c., the title and possession of the lands described, to the Government of the Confederate States. I have not been advised of any decision by the convention of North Carolina in relation to the transfer of arms captured from the United-States, though it is known that a part of those arms has 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 this State.

In the removal of the seat of Government to the city of Richmond, a box, containing a portion of the files of the War Office, has accidentally been separated and has not yet arrived. From this or other cause I 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 their several State Conventions from memory.

In regard to the first named, the course adopted was similar to that of Georgia. In Louisiana the Governor was 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 occupied by the Confederate troops, and a portion of the arms in that arsenal has been transferred.

The action of Florida was generally the same. In Mississippi no arms or munitions of war were captured from the United States, but those obtained by purchase before her secession have been used to supply troops furnished on 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 on Ship Island and two marine hospitals on the Mississippi River. The first is in the possession, and the second at the disposal of the Government of the Confederate States.

I am, most respectfully, yours,


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