desired, among other things, to ask whether there were any carriages for field guns, caissons, &c., at the arsenal at Fayetteville which could be spared from the service o your State, and in that event to request that some be forwarded here for service in VIRGINIA, as they are much needed, and the manufacture of them proceeds slowly. I hope you will pardon the liberty I have taken on the plea of public service.

Respectfully, &c.,

R. E. LEE,

Major-General, Commanding.

[2.]

RICHMOND, VA., May 16, 1861.

President DAVIS:

For salivation of our cause come immediately and assume military command.

EDMUND RUFFIN.

[2.]

RICHMOND, May 16, 1861.

(Received 2.40 o'clock.)

L. P. WALKER:

British consul at Richmond construes Lord John Russell's statement to men authority in absence and instructions to recognize Government of the Confederate Stated. Has already opened communication with Executive of Virginia and North Carolina. Virginia collectors ceased returns to Federal Government. Western Virginia exempted blockade. Wheeling convention adopted resolution providing for another convention 11th of June. Adjourned sine die.

D. G. DUNCAN.

[2.]

PETERSBURG, May 16, 1861.

L. P. WALER:

General Lee and staff here on way to Norfolk.

D. G. DUNCAN.

[2.]

RICHMOND, May 16, 1861.

(Received 9.40 p. m.)

L. P. WALKER:

Commander Harper's Ferry telegraphs Lee to- day: Scott's troops approaching; attack expected to- morrow; everything in readiness to receive attack.

D. G. DUNCAN.

[2.]

STAUNTON, May 16, 1861.

Major General R. W. LEE,

Commander- in- Chief, &c.:

SIR: Under your order of 6th instant, directing me to call out and muster into the serivice of the State two regiments of volunteers, I proceeded immediately to cal uponthe companies of the nine countis named insaid order, and was expecting soon to muste in the sepcified force. I have, however, been informed to- day by Major harman, of the