COUNCIL CHAMBER, May 14, 1861.

Major- General LEE,

Commander of Virginia Forces:

The council desire s me to inform General Lee that an order as been given by the Governor for a special train to Staunto to- night to carry the muskets and rifles deigned for Grafton.

Very respectfully,

P. F. HOWARD,

Secretary of the Council.

[2.]

RICHMOND, May 15, 1861.

PRIVATE.]

L. P. WALKER:

Governor's private secretary informs me confidentially that Letcher is aggrieved by want of cordiality and freedom of intercourse on part of Administration.

D. G. DUNN.

[2.]

RICHMOND, May 15, 1861.

L. P. WALKER:

Troops at Fort Monroe taken possession of land three- quarters of a mile from Fort Monroe. Believed for water purposes only.

D. G. DUNCAN.

[2.]

RICHMOND, May 15, 1861.

L. P. WALKER:

Troops from Fort Monroe thought only in search of war. Encamped on farms of Joseph Segar and John Tyler not far from Hampton. Governor's council now in session, noon. Governor perhaps disinclined to give facts last night before submitting to council.

D. G. DUNCAN.

[2]

RICHMOND, May 15, 1861.

(Received 10.30 p. m.)

Honorable L. P. WALKER:

Regiment ordered to be in readiness to march at a moment's notice from Washington this morning. Destination unknown, supposed Wheeling. S. W. Spratt arrived from Harper's Ferry. Says there are 7,000 troops there; 500 on Maryland Heights, but no cannon; mostly Marylanders. Two batteries on VIRGINIA side. Thinks movement will be made on Ferry, also sustain unionists Northwestern Virginia. Lee ordered 2,000 troops to Ferry to- day. Thinks it impossible to hold Ferry without Maryland Heights. Should Letcher order their evacuation troops will refuse obedience.

D. G. DUNCAN.

[2.]

HEADQUARTERS VIRGINIA FORCES,
Richmond, Va., May 15, 1861.

His Excellency JOHN W. ELLIS,

Governor of North Carolina:

GOVERNOR: I regret not having has the pleasure of seeing you when I did myself the honor to call on you during your visit to this city. I