to his wishes from the high regard I entertain for him personally, believing that not much injury would result before he vould become convinced of the correctness of my opinions. I will venture the prediction that in less than two months he will be more anxious to get rid of what is known as Davis Cavalry Regiment than he was to receive it. It will prove useless and vastly expensive. But you will pardon me when I inform you that the State, being unable to equip the regiment, and through its Executive having opposed its being raised for the reasons then assigned, and upon the requisition of General Trapier, supposing him authorized by the government, consented to the regiment being received for Confederate service in the State, now the opinion is reasonably entertained that the Confederate Government will equip the regiment.

It is composed generally of brave men and worthy citizens anxious to render efficient service, and having been raised by a special permit from the Secretary of War, certainly under all that circumstances you will not hesitate to arm them with sabers, carbines, and pistols. The State cannot equip them and they cannot equip themselves, and they should not consume the substance of the State in idleness while willing to be imployed. If they cannot be armed as cavalry they should be disbsanded or converted into an infantryu regiment, and the State will, as infantry, be enabled to arm them with rifles, in the place of another regiment to be raised, and the regiment will be useful, as much so as any other in the State; and if anytthing should occur to demand the service of cavalry the State cavalry will be ready, armed and drilled and well mounted, to render the service, and no expense will be incurred until they shall be ordered our, if then. But I am not disposed to dictate in the matter, and will endeavor to be amiable, although the amiability may appear like the 'smile of torture." I am convinced that therend then deceptions practiced by telegraphic communications, and I should be pleased to receive copies of communications between the Secretary of War and myself as Governor of the State. In the course of human events, if you shall ever have time to visit Florida, I should be pleased to welcome you at my residence, and if you ever have a leisure moment inform me (if you can) where the family of my old friend W. C. Micou resides, and if his widow is living, and heer address.

Very respectfully,

JOHN MILTON.

[6.]

STATE OF FLORIDA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Tallahassee, January 3, 1862.

Honorable J. P. BENJAMIN,

Secretary of War:

SIR: I am indebted to the courtesy of General Trapier for a copy of your letter to him, dated at Richmond the 24th ultimo, relative to the cavalry companies now commanded by Lieutenant Colonel W. G. M. Davis. The inclosed copies of a correspondence* upon the subject, between General Trapier, whom I considered fully authorized to correspond with me upon the subject, was regarded by me as settling the question that Davis and the cavalry he commanded would be received into the Confederate service. You were informed, as was the General Assembly of this State, that no troops should be mustered into the Confederate

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*See Baker to Secretary of War, January 11, 1862, p. 210, which probably incloses papers herein referred to.

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