as my successor. I am informed that he has appointed Mr. Henry Albury, Unionist, as his assistant. I send off to-day to Cedar Keys important dispatches form Senator Watlington to Governor Perry,* to do which I have been compelled to charter a smack at $100, and upon the performance of said service will give the parties transporting the same an order on the State payable at the meeting of its next Legislature. These dispatches relate in part to the arrival of the steam-ship Atlantic at this port from New York with troops, horses, &c., the taking on board several pieces of ordnance and thirty-six picked men from the force at Fort Taylor; her procedure to Fort Jefferson, where she took on board twenty-two slave laborers belonging to citizens of this place, and her departure to parts unknown. The presumption is that her destination is Fort Pickens, to throw up batteries for its protection. Captain Meigs, of the Washington Aqueduct renown, Topographical Engineers, in charge. I shall continue to act for the Southern Confederacy when I know that its interests demand prompt action as in the case above referred to. Thus far all the Federal appointments have been made through the commanding officer of the Federal forces at this place.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. C. WHALTON,

Postmaster.

[1.]

MEMPHIS, April 18, 1861.

Honorable L. P. WALKER:

It was telegraphed from Washington to Cairo to-day that Cairo will be made base of operations on the Mississippi River, and several Southern ports will be blockaded.

M. C. GALLOWAY.

[4.]

MONTGOMERY, April 18, 1861.

Governor T. O. MOORE,

New Orleans:

The Kentucky regiment to which you refer will be held by you subject to requisition in the contingency referred to in my letters of the 8th and 16th of April.

L. P. WALKER.

[1.]

MONTGOMERY, April 18, 1861.

Governor PETTUS,

Jackson, Miss.:

If your proposition to seize is deemed advisable will telegraph you hereafter.

L. P. WALKER.

[1.]

MEMPHIS, April 18, 1861.

Honorable JEFFERSON DAVIS:

SIR: At the suggestion and by the request of the mayor and several leading citizens of Memphis I take the liberty of calling your attention

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*See April 17, p. 51.

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