RICHMOND, VA., February 7, 1863.

His Excellency Governor BONHAM,

Columbia, S. C.:

If the First Corps of Reserves are not disbanded, but are still organized in regiments, constituting a part of the militia of the State, can you not, as commander-in-chief of the militia of the State, bring them again into the field to aid in repelling the invader? The officers, either field or company, who may be liable to conscription, will be allowed for the time to remain in commnd to avoid the delay of reorganization by new elections.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[14.]

COLUMBIA, February 7, 1963.

President DAVIS,

Richmond, Va.:

The action of the Legislature makes the organization by the council void. The troops, except conscripts, are being disbanded. In view of the threatened invasion, I could have wished them to remain for the present; but it is projper for me, with the views of the Legislature, to urge the sending of an adequate force of Confederate troops for defense of the coast. Under our acts am constrained to reorganize the militia before I could bring them into service, which requires time.

M. L. BONHAM.

[28.]

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, HEADQUARTERS,

Columbia, February 8, 1863.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War:

SIR: I have tho honor to inclose a copy of the amending the negro labor law of December, waiving the condition in the first. On your assent to the other terms of the act, which please signify at once, I will have the labor which General Beauregard requires furnished as soon as possible.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

M. L. BONHAM.

[Inclosure.]

AN ACT to amend an act entitled "An act to organize and supply negro labor for coast defense, in compliance with reguisistions of the Government of the Confederate States; " and to authorikze and direct the Governor to proceed to furnish negro labor under said act.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, now met and sitting in General Assembly, and by the authority of the same, That an act entitled "An act to organize ad supply negro labor for coast defense, in compliance with requistions of the Government of the Confederate States," passed on the 18th day of December, anno Domini 1862, be, and the same is hereby, amended, and that the State agent appointed under the fourth section of said act shall have the power, and is hereby authorized to appoint, with the approval of the Governor, such number of assistant agents as in his judgment may be necessary to enable him to execute the provisions of the sixth section