[First indorsement.]

Respectfully submitted for the information of the President.

JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

[Second indoresement.]

SEPTEMBER 5, 1864.

SECRETARY OF WAR:

The decision must depend on the necessities of Charleston, and I do not know what is the strength of the force there at this time. We may expect an attempt either at Wilmington or Charleston to be made as the consequence of recent naval success at Mobile. If you have not the requisite information as to garrison in works for defense of Charleston I suggest inquiry of General Jones.

J. D.

[35.]

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Tallahassee, September 7, 1864.

His Excellency JEFFERSN DAVIS,

President of the Confederate States:

DEAR SIR: Yours of the 9th ultimo has been received announcing the appointment of Brigadier General William Miller to command this district. I had recommended him simply to command this sub-district, but approve the appointment for the district and hope that he may have the command of all the forces in it. The appointment is gratifying to the citizens of the State, and I entertain no doubt will result well. The General Assembly of the State, as you are perhaps apprised, has time and again neglected to provide for the organization of State troops or to amend the laws which existed previous to our separation from the United States, so that organizations could be legally made. I resolved to take advantage of the effect produced upon the public mind by the raids in Georgia, and by virtue of my position as commander-in-chief of the State under the constitution, to issue the proclamation and orders, copies of which are inclosed. The course succeeded beyond my most sanguine expectations. Thirty-eight volunteer companies, making in the aggregate about 2,500 effective men, have already been organized and reported themselves ready to obey orders as emergencies may require, and several of the companeis have already been in battle and behaved well, but we need arms and fixed ammunition. The greater portion of the arms I had were used in arming the reserves in Confederate servise. I applied to Major Humphreys at Columbus, Ga., for additional arms, but the supply in that State, if I am informed correctly, has been exhausted by the forces called into the field by Governor Brown. Fifteen hundred stand of small-arms would supply the deficiency in this State. Floridians are generally good marksmen, and those who compose the companies recently formed will compare favorably with any other troops which have been raised in the State, and if we can procure good rifles of long range, will in case of invasion render very efficient service. Our prospects in Georgia are at present very gloomy, but I entertain the hope that by a decisive battle they may be improved. The retreat from the mountain passes of Georgia was at least unfortunate.

Permit me to express an opinion to you on an important subject of a different character. It is this, that to prevent extortion and secure to