THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1861.
A little rainy this morning, but the rain turned into snow about noon and it has snowed ever since, melting as it came until night when it covered the ground. It is not cold enough to freezze. Nothing new transpiring in the office. No removals or appointments there as yet. Was down at Willards this evening. Saw the old M.C., E B Morgan, Engineer in Chief Archibold and others there. The pressure for office is very great, especialy from the Western States. Julia is staying at Mr Woodwards tonight. It is after 11 & I will retire.
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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of Congress.
MONTGOMERY, ALA., March 14, 1861.
Hon. S. R. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy :
SIR: The port of Apalachicola is without any means of defense, having only two hundred muskets and sixty rifles; no artillery of any kind. The commercial importance of the city may make it more than a point of ordinary interest to the United States Government, if they intend to enforce the collection of the revenue.
The citizens of the city are organized into four volunteer companies, which comprise about two-thirds of the people capable of bearing arms. They are under apprehension that the city and property therein is in danger.
I beg to call your attention to the fact, and request that some means of protection may be afforded us if there is a probability of hostilities. The men can be raised there, it we had the guns.
Yours, respectfully,
D. P. HOLLAND.
MONTGOMERY, March 14, 1861.
General BEAUREGARD, Charleston:
Steamers Star of the West, Harriet Lane, Crusader, Mohawk, and Empire City ordered to sail from New York last night. Said to carry arms, provisions, and men. Destination not known.
L. P. WALKER.
[Copies to General Bragg, Pensacola; Captain Jones, Fort Morgan; Major Duncan, Forts Jackson and St. Philip.]
—The act, passed by the Florida Legislature, defining treason, became a law by the approval and signature of the Governor. It declares that in the event of any actual collision between the troops of the late Federal Union and those in the employ of the State of Florida, it shall be the duty of the Governor of the State to make public proclamation of the fact; and thereafter the act of holding office under the Federal Government shall be declared treason, and the person convicted shall suffer death.—Evening Post, March 26.
