Unknown to William H. Chase, January 16, 1861

Col. W. H. CHase, Commissioner for the State of Florida: é

Sir: Under the orders we now have from the War Department, we have decided, after consultation with the Government officers in the harbor, that it is our duty to hold our position until such a force is brought against us as to render it impossible to defend it, or until the political condition of the country is such as to induce us to surrender the public property in our keeping to such authorities as may be delegated legally to receive it.

We deprecate as much as you or any individual can the present condition of affairs, or the shedding of the blood of our brethren. In regard to this matter, however, we must consider you the aggressors, and if blood is shed that you are responsible therefor. .

By order.of A. J. Slemmer, first lieutenant, First Artillery, commanding :

J. H. GiLMAN, Second Lieutenant, First Artillery, Act. Post Adjt.

Captain Berryman took this letter to the yard, and then ran out of the harbor.

On the 17th I mounted one 12-pounder gun and one 8-inch sea-coast —

howitzer on the northwest bastion.. I had previously mounted three 32-pounders in the southeast bastion, and rendered effective the

fl a pounder flank-defense howitzers, besides placing my field battery on the

ramparts for effective service. On the 18th the steamer Wyandotte came again in sight. Received another letter from Colonel Chase, of which the following is a copy: