April 4, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
MONTGOMERY, April 1, 1861.
As you have been apprised by telegraph, the War Department is vigorously concentrating men and munitions of war at the most important points, for the purpose of being prepared for a systematic defence of the Indian frontier. Several competent officers and influential agents have been already appointed at different places upon the border, who are working diligently to make preparations for the troops which will be sent out in a short time to guard the frontier. I am informed that advices have been received today in the State Department that Fort Pickens will not be reinforced, and that it will be given up to the Confederate States within a short time. This was considered positive, and as I make the statement upon the highest authority, it may be believed as true. Without trusting too fully upon the execution of this promise, the work of preparing the siege will go on at Pensacola, and the troops will concentrate at that point. If not given up within one month, or some definite arrangements made between the two governments, Col. BRAGG will commence an attack, which cannot fail to be a successful one.
More troops from this State and from Georgia are on their way to Warrington and the forts. The Cherokee Grays, Capt. CLARE’S Company, consisting of ninety-two men, passed through here today. Another Company of about fifty men left on Friday last. Four hundred of the Alabama troops are at Mount Vernon Arsenal, where a rendezvous has been established.
There is considerable anxiety in this city in regard to South Carolina and the action of her Convention. It is well known here that there are two or three very objectionable clauses in the Constitution, which, considering the general ability of the instrument, were passed lightly by when the States adopted it as the permanent Constitution–the le supremis under which they were to live. In two instances, at least, it has clauses which will seriously cripple the Government in the future, and these, it is feared, may prove sticking points in the South Carolina Convention. Considering the solemn promise the members made the people in regard to reuniting the fortunes of their State with the North, or with any Government which continued a free State, it is not to be wondered at that they hesitate before adopting a Constitution which leaves the door open for any State to enter, simply requiring a two-thirds vote. More especially should the matter be considered when it is known that some of the Cabinet and many of the members of Congress are in favor of reorganizing the scattered States which once composed the United States, under the present Constitution. The long delay has caused serious alarm at the Capital, and news is anxiously sought for. It was supposed there would be some opposition, but no one ever dreamed it would assume so formidable an appearance. The opposition to the Confederate Constitution in the Alabama Convention was laughed at as merely the whim of a few pragmatical gentlemen who wished to make speeches upon it; but in South Carolina it is looked upon with alarm, which increases as the days go by, without hearing what has been done. No papers have come through since last Friday, and no important telegrams have been received.
The advertisements for the Postoffice, which were sent to THE MERCURY to be published in South Carolina, have brought a great many visitors to the Department today. The object was to examine samples of paper, blanks, and other matter mentioned in the advertisements. Several designs for stamps and stamped envelopes have been presented, but as yet none have been adopted. I have just seen a design for the seal of the Treasury Department, which was cut from a drawing by Dr. CAPERS, Chief Clerk of the Treasury. It consists of three circles with raised edges. In the outer circle is a vine, in the middle circle the words ‘Confederate States of America,’ and in the inner circle ‘Provisional Government,’ with seven stars. In the centre is a Palmetto, with the words ‘Treasury Department’ above it. Altogether it is a very good design, and makes a plain but beautiful seal.
It has been ascertained that the present force of the government is far too small, and it will be increased in all the departments. It will hardly be worth while for any more applicants to present their claims as there are now about one hundred applicants for every office within the gift of the government. In the army department, in particular, the applications are plentiful, and daily coming in. Today an extra clerk was engaged to assist in filing them away. The appointments in the army are now all confirmed, or at least provision is made for any vacancy that may occur. The great number of officers who have resigned from the United States service will be the first provided for, and they necessarily take the first positions. In considering these appointments, the Confederate army must not be confounded with the provisional army, which is officered and equipped by the States from which they are taken by a requisition from the President. Of the five thousand men who will soon be at Pensacola, only the field officers belong to the Confederate army, the rest to the Provisional army, holding a commission from the Governor of the State from which they were drawn. Thus, it will be seen, that in the present army there are very few offices to fill at the War Department. Recruiting for the regular army is a slow and tedious business, and it will be some years before a permanent army can be taken into the field. In the meantime the Provisional is raised to meet the exigencies of the times.
As I have already told you, the President has made a requisition upon the States for five thousand men, but those now on their way to Pensacola are part of that force. None was drawn from South Carolina, as she has more than her share on duty at the forts, and from the first has done her duty in the field. When Fort Sumter is given up, then a few will be required to assist in guarding the frontier, but for the present none will be taken from the State.