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the money, and were charged, by the act, with its proper disbursement - at their
solicitation, - communicated, by me, to the Secretary of the Navy - Lieut.
Johnston - who had made valuable suggestions in the repairs - and alterations
of the boat - was relievd of the command of the Gun-Boat Gaines, and
directed to report to me with the understanding that I would assign him to
the command & superintendence of the repairs of the boat until
completion, and then turn-over the boat to the Confederate Navy - to be armed & manned
by the Navy. Under this arrangement & understanding between the Secretary
of the Navy - and the Committee in Mobile, Lieut. ^Johnston^ was assigned his present
positition. In the prosecution of the work, he is assisted by this Committee;
the Carpenters and Shipwrights reside in Mobile; and the Committee
prefer that that the boat should not be moved-away up the River, at least, for
the present; assuring me, however, that arrangements are made, in case
of danger, for her prompt removal out of reach of the Enemy. If this
point be secured - your wishes will be met. The Secretary of the Navy,
I understood, over six weeks ago, had ordered heavy guns to be cast,
at Richmond, for this Ram, and I had hoped they would have been
received by this time. The moment the Boat approached that
completeness, which will fit her for service, it is my purpose promptly to
turn her over to your Navy, and to order Lieut. Johnston to report to
you for duty. If, in the meantime, you can procure suitable Guns
and ammunition for the armament of the Boat, I will thank you
to do so.

I have telegraphed both the War & Navy - Departments, to furnish
guns - to plant - in battery on the Alabama & Tombigbee Rivers - and hope
this proper request may be favorably, & immediately answered.

I beg to communicate to you - herewith - confidentially - a
sketch of a Torpedo-gun-Boat, devised by D^r Jn^o B. Read of
Tuscaloosa - the inventor of the "Read-Shell." I am not capable of
passing upon its merits. Accompanying the sketch is a description
of the Torpedo-attachment, and the manner of its application and
use. I submit it for your consideration, and such action as you may
be pleased to take, in relation to it.
With great respect, I am, Dear Sir,
Your ob'^t Ser'^t
(Signed) Jn^o Gill Shorter.

Executive Department;
Montgomery, Alabama, May 2 ^d 1862.
To His Excellency, Gov^r Pickens,
Sir,
I have to apologize for not having replied, at an earlier
day, to your Excellency's communication of the 22^d March.
Almost immediately after its reception, I was called - away - by
official engagements, and apprehending that I should not be
able to give your suggestions the consideration which they
merited, I requested a confidential friend to reply to your letter during
my absence. Until my return, recently, I was not apprized that
the friend, upon whom I imposed that duty, had been prevented,
by ill-health, from writing to you.

Your views as to the importance of sustaining the Confederate
government, by the energetic - & cordial co-operation of the States,
meet my entire concurrence; and I am prepared to pledge the
resources of this State, in any system of operations, which may be
agreed-on, as necessary to the success of this great Revolution. I
believe that the harmonious - determined - & persistent purpose of all the
States, to sustain the Common Government, will be required to
achieve success; and to that end, I am ready to consecrate all the
powers - and all the resources of this Commonwealth. I am prepared, therefore,
not only to meet - but to co-operate with your Excellency, in
devising the means which are best calculated to ensure the harmonious