John A. Dix, November 20, 1861

-Baltimore, November 20, 1861. GENERAL: Lieutenant Coffin, of the Hercules, arrived with his vessel to-day, just missing the sloop with coal. He has some repairs to make, and will not be able to leave until the day after to-morrow. I _ wish you would advise me when you are to receive your supplies. I thought the Pungoteague the best plaee on account of the water, but. Lieutenant Coffin thinks a better may be found near Onancock. Let me know when you will need provisions. If I do not hear from you by the 23d I shall send you a further supply, but it is very important to know where they are to be sent. I send you some more hay by the Star. Send her back as soon as possible. I must have her or the Balloon. You must not fail to secure the ten or twelve cannon in the two counties. Your very gratifying dispatehes, with Captain Knights © report from Drummondtown, are received. I will write: to -you on the —

^ subject of reorganization as soon as Northampton is secured. I will attend to the postal, light-house, and other matters. . I wrote to Commodore Goldsborough a week ago, and have his answer. He will watch the lower part of the peninsula at all points, and prevent the escape of the rebel force. _ Officers who fiave been in the pay of the Confederates should be arrested and held as prisoners until the order of the Government is announced. Rank and file, if they have laid down their arms, need -not be disturbed. In regard to correspondence, I see no objection to the free circulation of letters to all portions of the two counties in which the authority of the Government is re-established. = You are right in your opinion that no act of a rebel convention or legislature can be recognized. In all these respects the two counties must, when they come back, be in the statu quo before the rebellion. . Until some principles of reorganization can be agreed upon, either as . à part of Maryland or of Western Virginia, their corporate powers as counties will be sufficient to meet all their exigencies. I speak without having examined the statutes of Virginia, but on all these points I will write you hereafter.

NOVEMBER 21. The captain of the Star was directed to call here for dispatches at 7 p. m. yesterday. He failed to do so, and this letter has in consequence been kept over. I send it by way of Salisbury. It

I am, very respectfully, yours,