Duke University Libraries 
 
 Message of the 
 Conf Pam #320 
 
3I1ESSAGE OF THE PRESIDEINT. 
 
 Richmond, Va., Jan. 5, 1865, 
 
 To the House of Representatives : 
 
 Iq response to your resolution of the 80th ult., I herewith transHiit a 
 commanication from the Secretary of the Navy, which conveys the infor- 
 mation that " no coals were taken from the steamer 'Advance,' in October 
 last, or at any other time, for the naval service." 
 
 JEFFERSON DAVIS. 
 
 COMMUNICATION OF SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. 
 
 CONFKDHR.VTE StATKS OK AMERICA, ^ 
 
 Navy Department, ^ 
 
 Richmond, January 4, 1865. ) 
 
 The President : 
 
 Sir : — I have the honor to state, in response to the following resolution of 
 the House of Representatives of the BOth ultimo : 
 
 •' Resolved, That the President be requested to inform this House whether 
 coals were taken from the steamer Advance for the navaj service, in October 
 last, and if so, what quantity was taken, and the circumstances under which 
 the same was taken," 
 
 That no coals were taken from the steamer Advance in October last, or at 
 any other time, for the naval service, as appears from the following reports : 
 
 " Wilmington, N. C, Nov. 28,1864. 
 " Flag; Officer, R. F. Pinknbt, Comd'g, ikc, 
 
 " Sir : — 111 reply to your verbal enquiry in reference to the impressment 
 of coal on this station, for the use of the C. S. cruisers that have recently 
 sailed from this port, I have tlie honor to state, that not one particle of coal 
 was taken from the steamer 'Advance,' nor one pound impressed to which 
 the State, or any of the joint owners of that steamer had the slightest claim. 
 When the steamers Let her 13 and Florio were beiug fitted out, a portion of 
 the coal necessary for the supply of those steamers was taken from the 
 wharf of Messrs. Power, Low i^' Co., the agents and past owners of the Ad- 
 vance; but I was distinctly informed by a member of that firm that this coal 
 belonged to three difterent steamers not then in port. To one of these 
 steamers I had lent about twenty tons of N. C. coal, to be returaed in Eu- 
 gliah coal, and the quautity taken from her just satisfied my claim. The 
 other two steamers, as I have said, were not then in port, and tte coal 
 that belonged to them was lying there waiting their reluro. It is now al- 
 ledg'jd by the agents of the Advance that, as they had the control of this 
 coal, it might have been available for the Advance, if the government had 
 
not imprefsed it. This, however, is a mere probability, as the other steam- 
 ers belonging to this firm might in the meantime have come in short of fuel, 
 to which this coal would undoubtedly have been given. At any rate, it did 
 not belong to the Advance, nor was it retained for her exclusive use. And 
 its being appropriated to her use depended upon a mere contingency— 
 namely, her not hciBg preceded into port by other vcsecIs with an insuffi- 
 ciency of coal for their outward voyage. It will be seen then that. the ex- 
 traordirary statement ventured upon by Gov. Vance, in his late annual mes- 
 sage, that the loss of the Advance is attributable solely to the impressment 
 of coal by the C. S. Government, has very little fomndation in fact" 
 Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. A. WILLARD, 
 
 Naval Coal Agent. 
 Forwarded by R. F. Pinkncy, Capt, iV:c., ike." 
 
 " Wilmington, Dec. 29, 1864. 
 " Hon. S. R. Mallory : 
 
 " No coal was taken from the Advance, nor any belonging to her, for the 
 Tallahassee, or any other vessel. I sent a report to this effect from the local 
 agent here some time aoo. 
 
 R. F. PINKNEY, 
 
 Comd'g, I'cc, ikc' 
 
 I am respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 S. R. MALLORY, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy. 
 
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