department, I beg leave herewith to enclose copies of letters and telegraphic despatches from certain officers of the United States revenue marine, marked A to F, inclusive, which contain all the information in the possession of this department respecting the United States revenue cutter on the Charleston station. No steps have been taken by this department to recapture or recover possession of said vessel. The revenue cutter J. C. Dobbin was seized at night in the Savannah river by a large number of persons, who went on board under friendly pretences, but she was released the ensuing day by order of the governor of the State of Georgia. At the time of her seizure she was under orders to proceed to Baltimore, where she arrived on the 19th instant. This department has no official information in regard to the customhouse at Charleston, but it is understood that it is in the possession of the authorities of South Carolina, and that it is occupied by the late collector, who resigned, and is now in the service of that State. The new custom-house, which is unfinished, was in charge of Mr. Edward B. White, as superintendent and architect, who resigned and left the building, as is understood, in the care of his clerk. All the information the department has in regard to it is contained in the enclosed correspondence, marked from G to M, inclusive. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. Wм. A. HOWARD, JOHN A. DIX, Secretary of the Treasury. Chairman of Special Committee of Five, &c., House of Reps. A. REVENUE CUTTER "WM. AIKEN," Charleston, S. C., December 26, 1860. SIR: Will you communicate to the Secretary of the Treasury my resignation as captain in the revenue cutter service, to take effect from this date? During the period I have served the government, which has been some thirty-five years, I have discharged my duty with all the fidelity and skill I possessed. I have nothing either to regret or reproach myself with. The present aspect of political affairs admonishes me that I cannot continue longer in the service of the United States, as my primary allegiance is due to the State of South Carolina, the place of my birth. The likelihood of the antagonistic position which my State will occupy towards the United States has determined my course, and I, without hesitation, have made my choice. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. Wм. F. COLCOCK, Collector of Customs. N. L. COSTE. B. REVENUE CUTTER "WILLIAM AIKEN,' Charleston, S. C., December 27, 1860. SIR: Being a citizen of South Carolina, I shall obey the ordinance passed in convention yesterday, a copy of which has been, I presume, transmitted to you by the collector of the port. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. P. F. THOMAS, N. L. COSTE, Revenue Cutter Service. Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. C. [Telegraphic despatch.-Received, Washington, December 29, 1860.] ON BOARD LATE U. S. CUTTER "WILLIAM AIKEN,' SIR From the course events have taken, it becomes my duty to apply to you for instructions, and inform you of what has transpired. The collector of the customs of this port has transferred this vessel, with all other property in his charge, to the State of South Carolina; and, by order of Captain N. L. Coste, I have hauled down the United States revenue colors and discharged all of her crew from the service of the United States. Captain Coste informs me that he has resigned. his commission, but holds the command of this vessel for the State of South Carolina. Under these circumstances, I am, as you perceive, placed in a peculiar position. With the highest respect, I await your instructions. Your obedient servant, Hon. PHILIP F. THOMAS, Secretary of the Treasury. HENRY O. PORTER, Lieutenant U. S. R. S. D. [Telegraphic despatch.-Received, Washington, December 29, 1860.] ON BOARD LATE U. S. REVENUE CUTTER" WILLIAM AIKEN,' Charleston, December 29, 1860. SIR: Being placed in the same position that Lieutenant Porter is, I most respectfully ask for your instructions. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, HORACE I. GAMBRILL, Third Lieutenant U. S. R. S. E. WASHINGTON, D. C., January 3, 1861. On the 15th of December, or thereabout, Captain N. L. Coste informed (in a conversation) the officers of the United States cutter "William Aiken" that he had resigned his commission as a captain in the revenue service, and would, when the State seceded, resign the command to Lieutenant Underwood. Leaving Lieutenant Gambrill in charge, Lieutenant Underwood and myself paid an official visit to Major Anderson, asking him that, under those circumstances, if we should place the cutter "Aiken" under his guns, if he would give us the protection of the fort; his reply was, "He would give us all the protection in his power." After our return on board things went on as usual, with this exception, that, when it was necessary to discharge any of the crew for misconduct, Captain Coste refused to ship any more men; this continued until the 26th, and the crew were reduced to four active seamen and a boatswain. On the 27th, in the afternoon, Captain Coste came on board and ordered me to call up the crew, and he would pay them what was due, which was accordingly done, and, after about a half hour's conversation, he called the men together, and told them that he released them from all service of the United States, and that henceforth he would be responsible for their wages from the State of South Carolina. At sunset I hauled down the United States colors and wrote a despatch to the honorable Secretary of the Treasury, and sent for Lieutenant Gambrill, as I was unwilling to leave any property of the government without an officer. I went on shore, and as time pressed determined to telegraph; and on starting for the vessel met Lieutenant Gambrill, who told me that the captain had come on board and hoisted the palmetto flag. I returned, and, as soon as possible, removed my things from the vessel-Lieutenant Gambrill had already done the same; and not receiving an answer from the department to my telegram, and waiting until it was time to receive an answer by mail, and not knowing what each hour might bring forth, I, in consultation with Lieutenant Gambrill, concluded to return to Washington and report in person. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. PHILIP F. THOMAS, HENRY O. PORTER, 2d Lieutenant U. S. R. S. Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. SIR: I substantiate the above report of Lieutenant Porter. HORACE I. GAMBRILL, 3d Lieutenant U. S. R. S. F. WASHINGTON, D. C., January 3, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I was the 1st lieutenant of the United States revenue cutter "William Aiken," stationed at Charleston, South Carolina, and the following are the circumstances under which said vessel was surrendered to the authorities of the State of South Carolina. Captain N. L. Coste, her commander, informed me that in case the State should secede he would resign his commission, and place me in command; I therefore repaired to "Fort Moultrie" and conferred with Major Anderson on the subject, who very kindly assured me that in that event the vessel should be protected. On the 27th of December last Captain Coste informed me that he had resigned his commission, but that he was accountable to the authorities of the State of South Carolina for the property on board the said cutter, and under said authorities he should still hold his command. You will permit me, however, to remark, that on the day the State passed her ordinance of secession the cutter was aground along side of the wharf, and there remained until the spring tides made water sufficient to float her off. Having obtained leave of absence on the 22d ultimo, I beg leave very respectfully to report for further orders. I am, sir, with high respect, your obedient servant, Hon. PHILIP F. THOMAS, JOHN A. UNDERWOOD, 1st Lieutenant U. S. Revenue Service. Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. G. OFFICE NEW CHARLESTON CUSTOM-HOUSE, Charleston, South Carolina, January 1, 1861. SIR: I have the honor respectfully to tender you my resignation of superintendent and architect of the new Charleston custom-house. I will be much obliged if you will return to me the bond which I was required to enter into with the United States, dated December 6, 1859; inform me to whom I shall turn over the property of the United States; and give this communication your early consideration. I also respectfully request, if funds have not yet been forwarded to Charleston, that they may be sent at the time this letter is replied to, in order that the bills and accounts which are due may be paid. The amount needed for this month is about two thousand dollars, ($2,000.) The assistant architect of the new custom-house, Mr. Le Bleux, has vacated his appointment. I have the honor to be, with respect, your very obedient servant, EDWARD B. WHITE, Superintendent and Architect, Charleston Custom-House. Hon. PHILIP F. THOMAS, Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. H. OFFICE NEW CUSTOM-HOUSE, Charleston, South Carolina, January 2, 1861. SIR: For the operations during the month of January, 1861, I beg leave to suggest, that in the present disturbed and excited condition of affairs, I do not consider it practicable advantageously to continue the construction of the building, and therefore respectfully submit the following schedule for the present month: That the most economical and prompt means for the protection of the building be employed, by covering it with board roofs and closing up the doors, windows, &c., securely with boards. Box up all marble, and remove that which can be easily transported into the building and sheds. Secure and protect the machinery and materials from damage. Repair the fences, and take all other such measures as may be necessary for securing the papers, drawings, and all other property to the best advantage; to effect which, the force and funds named in the accompanying estimate will be required. I would respectfully recommend that such number of hands and officers be retained for the purpose of protecting the property from damage and accident, weather, and idlers, as the department may deem sufficient, after the foregoing has been completed. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, Hon. PHILIP F. THOMAS, EDWARD B. WHITE, Superintendent and Architect. Secretary of the Treasury, Washington City. I. OFFICE NEW CUSTOM-HOUSE, Charleston, South Carolina, January 2, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to submit to the department the report of operations, and the cash statement, as far as the funds on hand would allow, for the month of December, 1860. I would respectfully call the attention of the department to the probable operations for the present month in the above-named report, and request to be instructed in the premises. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, EDWARD B. WHITE, Secretary of the Treasury, Washington City. Hon. PHILIP F. THOMAS, H. Rep. Com. 91—6 |