EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Tallahassee, November 11, 1862.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS:

SIR: On yesterday I inclosed to Your Excellency an application signed by the Governors of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida for the establishment of a military deparment composed of the three States, and mentioned that I had received an order establishing the department, embracing the portions of the States, except additional counties desired by the Governor of Georgia to be embraced. Upon reference to the order I find that I was mistaken-that it only established a new brigade department in Florida. My situation as Giverbir if the State of Florida is extremely em barrassing and unleasant. Inclosed is a copy of a letter from a gallant officer and citizen of Aalachicola, inviting my attention to the unhappy and almost hopeless condition of at least 500 people of Florid, the great majority of whom are women and children; and from other portions of the State I have similar appeals made to me as the

Governor of the State. Apalachicola is more easily defended by obstructing the Saint Mark's River than any position on the Chattahoochee River between that place and Columbus. I have studiously avoided coming in conflict with any action of the Confederate Government under Your Excellency's administration, appreciating the almost insurmountable obstacles which it was necessary to overcome in achieving the independence of the Confederate States. I shall continue to sustain the action of the Government, as you will discover I have resolved to do, by the message I shall present to the consideration of the general Assembly of the State, which will convene next Monday. The military departmen should be established and promptly, and its resources brought into active service. It possibly may be too late to occupy the city of Apalachicola successfullly with troops, but if relieved from my present political situation and in the command of the department, with a reasonable force at my command, I should no hesitate upon the subject. The batteries need but little repairs to authorize the mounting of the guns necessary, and when mounted obstructions can be placed to keep any approach of the enemy under control, and these obstructions can be interposed in despite of the enemy. But little force is requisite, if wisely disposed of, to sustain the defenses in the rear of the city, and the poksition has been proved to be healthy, and, therefore, if properly occupied, there is no reasonable cause of apprehension affecting the availability of the measures of defaginst the measure relied upon to occupy and defend the bluff on Saint John's River and predicted the result. It as well as my predictions are matters of record.

You having been the Secretary of War of the United States, and presumed fmiliar with the records of the office, I may be excused for expressing opinions to you frankly with regard to military movements. It has been proposed to sink permanent obstructions in Apalachicola as a commercial port for the prosperity of Colombus, Ga., provided the river, protecting the right flank of the enemy in an attack by land upon Colombus, did not involve both places in ruin. Upon this subject my views, as submitted to General Forney, have been submitted to you. Florida will submit gracefully to any sacrifice necessary to the high purposes of the Confederacy, but will resist to the bitter en peculation and speculation for the benefit of other localities by the sacrifice of the rights of the State. If my judgment is not approved for the defenses to be made at Apalachicola, then let obstructions in the river be protected by batteries, and removable t the expense of the Con-