with appendages; to Theo. Lexis, esq., military store-keeper, Baton Rouge Arsenal, 2,000 percussion rifles, caliber .54, and appendages.

The within rifles will be held in readiness of rissue at such time as you may be called upon the Quartermaster's Department. Copy of a letter to that department dorm this office is inclosed herewith for your information and government.*

H. K. CRAIG,

Colonel of Ordnance.

[Sub-inclosure.]

ORDNANCE OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 28, 1860.

Major-General JESUP,

Quartermaster-General U. S. Army:

SIR: I have to request that transportation may be provided for the following number of boxes of muskets and rifles to be supplied to the arsenals at Fayetteville, N. C., Charleston, S. C., Augusta, Ga., Mount Vernon, Ala., and Baton Rouge, La., by direction of the Secretary of War:

From Springfield Armory to Charleston Arsenal............... 750

From Watervliet Arsenal to Charleston Arsenal .............. 100

From Springfield Armory to North Carolina Arsenal .......... 1,250

From Watervliet Arsenal to North Carolina Arsenal........... 100

From Springfield Armory to Augusta Arsenal ................. 1,000

From Watertown Arsenal to Augusta Arsenal .................. 100

From Springfield Armory to Mount Vernon Arsenal ............ 750

From Watertown Arsenal to Mount Vernon Arsenal ............. 100

From Springfield Armory to Baton Rouge Arsenal .............. 1,500

From Watertown Arsenal to Baton Rouge Arsenal .............. 100

Total ...................................................... 5,750

Each box contains 20 arms, weight about 300 pounds, and occupied about 10 cubic feet. The transfers of these arms may be made from time to time as may be most suitable for economy and convenience of transportation, and they will be held in readiness for delivery from Springfield Armory and Watervliet and Watertown Arsenals at such times and in such parcels as may best suit the arrangements which your department may make for their transfer.

Respectfully, &c.,

H. K. CRAIG,

Colonel of Ordnance.

WASHINGTON, January 22, 1861.

Honorable JOSEPH HOLT,

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:

SIR: Information which comes to me in a shape which is entitled to great confidence and respect satisfies me that a military force beyond the amount in reach and available for immediate exigencies is necessary at some points for local defense and the protection of the public property.

This is said to be especially the case for the protection of this District and the public property here, ae arsenal and custom-house and sub-treasury at Saint Louis, and perhaps at other points where the necessity may be so great.

If you concur with me in this opinion, you will oblige me by having a bill prepared authorizing the President, if he shall deem it necessary,

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*See next, post.

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