Philip ST. Geo. Cocke to Steuart, April 25, 1861

General STEUART, Commander of the Virginia Forces at Alexandria, Va.: Accompanying I send you the latest intelligence, brought by me from Annapolis, which is authentic, reliable, and gathered from the best sources. It is desirable to telegraph the news to the South immediately, and to the Cabinet of the Southern Confederacy. In telegraphing to the Southern Cabinet at Montgomery please send the accompanying dispatch, annexed, to Hon. J. P. Benjamin. Jam well known to him, and the intelligence would be known by him to be authentic, coming from me direct from Governor Pratt, Annapolis. Yours, truly, &c., ‘ DANIEL CLARKE. Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Montgomery, Ala. : The dispatches dated Annapolis, April 24th, 6 o’clock, are reliable and authentic, having been brought by me from Governor Pratt. ANNAPOLIS, MD., April 24, 1861—6 p. m. The Northern troops have taken forcible possession of the navy-yard and the depot and railroad. This morning two thousand troops left here for Washington, via the railroad. The track, which was torn up, has been relaid by the troops. Twelve thousand more troops have just arrived by steamers and war vessels from New York. A portion of the troops, which have just arrived, are now leaving for Washington. Twenty-five or thirty thousand troops are expected to be sent to Maryland by Monday next. A joint movement of the forces from Annapolis and Pennsylvania is contemplated upon Baltimore, against which city the Northerners swear vengeance. The city is alive and making preparations against the attack. The Northern forces intend to hold Annapolis as a military post, at which to land the troops, ammunition, and provisions for Washington. Governor Hicks, in consequence of the military occupation of Annapolis, has been forced to convene the legislature at Frederick City. It is thought the legislature will pass an ordinance of secession at once. The people are in arms, and determined to unite in the cause of the South. Prompt and immediate action of the Southern forces for the relief of Maryland is absolutely necessary to prevent the military occupation of the State by the Federal forces.

PHILIP ST. GEO. COCKE,