COLUMBIA, S. C., June 16, 1862.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:

General Pemberton urges the State for re-enforcements. The Gov-

ernor and council ask that the conscripts of the State be ordered at once to camp, and all be assigned to General Pemberton. I am ready to order into camp. Will require twenty days to collect. What answer shall give to Governor and council.

J. S. PRESTON,

Lieuntenant-Colonel, Commanding Camp of Instruction.

[Indorsement.] ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL's OFFICE, June 17, 1862.

Copy of a telegram just received.

Respectfully submitted of His Excellency the President.

John WITHERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[14.]

COLUMBIA, S. C., June 21, 1862.

President JEFFERSON DAVIS,

Richmond, Va.:

Just consulted with General Cooper. I shall be greatly pleased with General Hill, and Cooper agrees also. Let Pemberton be ordered to take Hill's place, if it can be done, or Magruder, if you think best. He says that Longstreet cannot be spared. Cooper will remain until morning.

F. W. PICKENS.

[14.]

CHARLESTON, S. C., June 21, 1862.

General Cooper:

MY DEAR SIR: In accordance with your request I beg to note briefly some of the points upon which we conversed this morning in relation to the declaration and opertion of martial law in this city. The opinion entertained by some of the inconsistency between martial law and certain provisions of the Constitution of the Confederate States need not be further alluded to than as it makes one of the cases where a doubt of the rightful authority of a law, to a certain degree, impirs the moral influence it would otherwise exercise. Assuming, however, that in this objection there is no weight, and not deeming it necessary to consider it here, let me at once come to the matter in its practical operations.

With however much of rightful authority it may be declared and enforced, martial law is stillto be regarded as an evil, even if necessarz because of the force of circumstances. It cannot be otherwise when it is assumed that by its unrestricted opertion the forms of government are superseded, the securities and guaranties of governmemt and citizens, reciprocallly to eah other, are shifted from the foundations upon which they have been plced by the organic law of our political society. It must be obvious, therefore, that so great a change-and in