To the House of Representatives.
Herewith I transmit a letter from the Secretary of War, covering several communications from officers of the Army in reference to the present condition of the country as connected with military defense, and especially with the matter of supplies for the Army. They will serve to elucidate the message[1] this day transmitted to you. The last in the order of time of those communications was received after my message was transmitted, and refers to a contingency which, if it should occur, must seriously affect the opinions which I then expressed. I invite your special attention to the papers submitted.
To the Senate and House of Representatives.
I herewith transmit for your information copies of the correspondence referred to in my message[1] of this date, in regard to the proposed conference to adjust terms of peace by means of a military convention.
To the House of Representatives.
In response to your resolution of 23d November last, I herewith transmit for your information a communication from the Secretary of War, the Attorney General, and the Postmaster General, relative to the number, ages, etc., of the officers and employees in their respective Departments on duty in the city of Richmond.
The transmission of these papers has been delayed in order that the report of the Secretary of the Treasury relative to the number of employees in his Department, which was included in your call for information, might accompany them.
That report has not yet been received, but I have decided to withhold the present communications no longer on that account.
