position in the harbor, requires great attention in taking advantage of all circumstance to strengthen it. The contingencies in perfroming this work are so great that it is difficult to make an accurate estimate, and I would consider it unsafe to name a less amount than from $3,000 to $4,000. I propose to do that work which is most needed first, and continue to strengthen the castle afterward as time and circumstances will permit. Colonel Pettigrew has requested me to say that he wishes to have 1,000 sand-bags and 1,000 hand-grenades.

I have, sir, the honor to be, very repectfully, your obedient servnat,

EDW. B. WHITE.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS,
January 3, 1860 [1861].

Colonel Hatch, quatermaster-general, is ordered to give the within letter from Colonel White, engineer to Castle Pinckney, his immediate attention; and to carry out Colonel White's plan he is authorized to draw for any amount not to exceed, for the present, $2,000, and Colonel White will give a regular report of his plan as soon as he can do so conveniently, but no expenditure is to be made except with a view to present necessity and the present emergency.

F. W. PICKNES.

[1.]

WASHINGTON, January 3, 1861.

General C. J. McRAE,

Mobile, Ala.:

Mission of South Carolina commissioners ended by President returning their las communication. No message from President yet. McIntyre, of Pennsylvania, nominated by President for collecter at Charleston. No action on it by Senate. No other change in status to-day. President vibrating on sending troops to Charleston and other Southern forts. Douglas made a great speach to-day. Denies right of secession, but opposes coercion.

J. J. McRAE,

[1.]

PULASKI HOUSE, January 3, 1861.

JOHN BOSTON, Esq.,

Collector of the Port of Savannah:

SIR: The revenue-cutter J. C. Dobbin, which was seized by some unauthorized person or persons unknown to me, has, under the order given by me to Colonel Lawton, now in command of Fort Pulaski, to protect Government property against injury, been recaptured, and is now aground near Fort Pulaski. You will please send a revenue boat and take her into custody to ngiht, and I will have her hauled off to-morrow morning and delivered to you at such place as you may designate. I much regret the lawless seizure of the vessel, and beg leafve to assure you that I shall from time to time give such orders as will protect to custom-house and other property belonging to the Federal Government till the action of this State is determined by the convention of their people.

Very respectfully, &c.,

JOSEPH E. BROWN.

[1.]