official character have been received, and though not entirely accordant in their statements, the general tenor has shown that the treatment received by our fellow-citizens, whether prisoners of war or captives taken from their homes, has not been such as the usage of the most civilized nations prescribes.
Jefferson Davis.
Executive Department,
Richmond, August 22, 1861.
Hon. Howell Cobb, President of the Congress.
Sir: I herewith transmit to the Congress the inclosed estimate of the Hon. Postmaster General for the service of his Department for the year ending February 18, 1862, with an accompanying explanation.
Jefferson Davis.
Executive Department, August 23, 1861.
Hon. Howell Cobb, President of the Congress.[1]
Sir: In response to the resolution of the Congress of the 22d inst., I herewith transmit the inclosed communication[2] from the Hon. Secretary of War.
Jefferson Davis.
Executive Department, August 28, 1861.
Hon. Howell Cobb, President of the Congress.
Sir: I hereby nominate, for the advice and consent of the Congress, the Hon. James M. Mason, of Virginia, to be Commissioner to England, and the Hon. John Slidell, of Louisiana, to be Commissioner to France.
Jefferson Davis.
Executive Department,
Richmond, August 30, 1861.
Hon. Howell Cobb, President of the Congress.
Sir: The Congress having passed an act to aid the people of Kentucky in repelling an invasion or occupation of their soil by