[Inclosure Numbers 9.]

LAKE CITY, FLA., June 15, 1864.

His Excellency JOHN MILTON,

Governor of Florida, Tallahassee:

I am this moment in receipt of your several communication covering copies of letters from Judge Dawkins to yourself and your reply thereto on the subject of the unfortunate conflict of authority about to arise between the officers and agents of the Confederate Government and those of the State of Florida, growing out of the taking up of the iron from the Florida Railroad by the fromer. I regret exceedingly that there should be even any appearance of conflict between the State and Confederate Governments at this time, and assure you I shall use my utmost power consistent with the orders and instructions I may have or receive from superior authority to arrest so deplorable an event. I concur with your entirely in the belief that when the facts are all before the State court the matter can be adjusted without infringing at all upon its dignity or disregarding its ordres. Under this belief and with this hope I have written to Colonel C. C. Yonge, C. S. attorney, requesting him to appear in the case and represent Lieutenant Fairbanks and myself, that we may not appear in a false light by suffering a default to be entered. In this connection I beg leave to call your attention to a copy of the order which the sheriff refers to in his return to the process of attachment issued and attempted to be executed upon Lieutenant Fairbanks. You will see by its terms that the sheriff has misapprehanded them and its wholde tenor. So far from disregarding the authority-legitimate authority of the State-it invokes its aid and sustains Lieutenant Fairbanks in the legitimate discharge of his duties against vexatious intermeddlers or those pretending to have authority to thwart him.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
Lake City, May 24, 1864.

Officers and others throughout this district acting under military authority will furnish Lieutenant J. M. Fairbanks, Engineer Bureau, every facility for expeditious travel throughout the district and within our military lines. Being engaged in a most important work, having for its object the defense and protection of this portion of the Confederacy, no impediment must be thrown in the way of his success. He must be forwarded and assisted in every legitimate way that may be in the military power, and if necessary must be protected from arrest or interference by any one, in the proper discharge of his duties. The work he is engaged on is a military necessity, which cannot be omitted without disastrous consequences to the cause in general and to the people of Florida in particular. It is therefore hoped that the civil authorities of the State will heartily co-operate with Lieutenant Fairbanks, and will not pemit themselves to be made the instruments of impeding or delaying him in this important work.

PATTON ANDERSON,

Major-General, Commanding.

Pledging you my cordial and sincere support in every attempt to avert any disagreeable conflict between the civil or military authorities of the State and Confederate Governments, and thanking you for the hearty co operation which you have at all times given me in the administration of the military affairs of the district,

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

PATTON ANDERSON,

Major-General.

[35.]

CHARLESTON, S. C., July 2, 1864.

Brigadier General J. CHESNUT, Columbia, S. C.:

Affairs look threatening. Enemy in force on James and John's Islands, and near Church Flats. Did you receive telegram asking for reserve