ability. But His Excellency President Davis, as a brave and honorable soldier in power, if misled by misrepresentations, will remember kindly the claim to his confidence of General Floyd.

Candor requires me to say that while I entertain a very sincere respect for the Florida delegation, there is no reason why I should suppose them qualified to advise as to the military defenses of the State. The duties they were elected tto perform do not necessarily connect them with the military defenses, and agreeably to the constitution and the laws of the State made in pursuance thereof, the Senators are elected by the General Assembly and the Representatives by districts. The Governor alone is elected by; the entire people of the State and to his judgment the military defenses are intrusted. But if the Florida delegation were informed of any military services having been renered by General Finegan in this State or elsewhere, to induce the belief that he was qualified to perform the duties required in the military department by a brigadier-genral, or that his appointment would inspire confidence, they possessed knowledge the Governor did not possess and have acted wisely in communicating it to the President. Certainly none will be more gratified than myself if the appointment shall prove fortunate, and to the best of my abolitty will endeavor to render it so; but there are few officers who would have commanded so much of my confidence in their ability and whom I could have gentleman in Florida occupying a distinguished pisition whose reputation has never been assailed by the vile miscreants who delight in the slander and abuse od honorable men occupying distinguished positions, not even excepting His Excellency Presideent Davis. General, Florida is in a hopeless condition. Your attention is respectfully invited to the copies inclosed of official reports.* It is unnecesssary for me to say in the discharge of official duties, anticipating treason, my efforts to prevent it were disregarded by the General Assembly of the State, and subjected me to abuse from the press, which, if not controlled by traitors, sympathized with them; and the press was sustained fro the time being by pokitial tricksters, men anxious for popular favor and destitute of the moral courage required by patriotism. Will you be pleased to consult with the President, and if you and he think it advisable, I will proclaim martial law, as requested by General Floyd. If advisable, answer by telegraph and by letter. no injury can occur from delay to do so until I can hear from you.+

I have the honor to be, general, with respect,

JOHN MILTON,

Governot of Florida.

[14.]

HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL FORCES, DEPARTMENT OF MIDDLE AND EASTERN FLORIDA.

April 19, 1862.

General S. COOPER,
Adjutant-General C. S. Army:

SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I have information that some 50,000 bales of cotton are stored at Columbus, Ga., 20,000 at Eufaula, and 10,000 stored at different points on the river. For the protection of the Apalachicola River there is a battery of ten guns

---------------

*See Floyd to Milton, April 11, and Dancy to Floyd, April 12, pp. 232, 234.

+For reply, see April 25, VOL. XIV, p. 483.

---------------