XIV. The heads of departments will see at once to the execution of the above orders.

By order of Brigadier-General Beauregard:

D. R. JONES,

[1.] Assistant Adjutant-General.

RESOLUTIONS in reference to forts, dock-yards, reservations, and property ceded to the Confederate States.

Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States, That the Congress de recommend to the respective States to cede the forts, arsenals, navyyards, dock-yards, and other public establishment within their respective limits to the Confederate States, and, moreover, to cede so much of the lands reserved heretofore by the Government of the United States, or other public vacat lands in their respective limits as may be necessary for timber or lumber for naval or other purposes of public concern; and that the President of Congress be requested to communicate these resolutions and the accompanying report to the Governors of the respective States.

Resolved further, That in case of such cession, the President be, and is hereby, authorized and empowered to take charge of any such property ceded.

Approved March 15, 1861.

[1.]

WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., March 17, 1861.

Honorable L. P. WALKER,

Secretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.:

MY DEAR SIR: I received a dispatch a few days ago from Montgomery, without signature, which I presumed to be from you. For a week or thereabouts the impression here has been general that the United States Governmnet would withdraw its troops from Sumter, the motive, of course, necessit, as we knew. Anderson could not be succored, and he could be straved out in two or three weeks. Every day's approach of warm weather makes his state the worse. Warm weather, salt food, and rain water to drink make dysentry right off. The withdrawal, which I take it is resolved on, is now based distinctly on the ground of a military necessity. Quite a number have drawn the conclusion that it was a part only of a general peace policy. I see no evidence of this whatever, though it s effect must be to prepare the Northern mind for such a general policy hereafter. On the contrary it is now undesrtood that Fort Pickens is to be retained and defended, and also the Tortugas forts. It is also the opinion of the most sagacious men here that an extra session will be called and Congress asked to furnish additional means for coercion. I have no doubt whatever that the latter is the policy determined on and also that your ministers will be refused a hearing.e Confederate States will take precisely the same course in respect to the Tortugas as to Fort Pickens and Pensacola. They are all points of too vast importance to be surrendered. I am satisfied that we can rally sentiment as well on the right to Tortugas forts as to Pickens and Sumter.

Your Constitution is excellen, and so far the preceedings of your Government have been marked by the very highest statesmanship and