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Washington, and they were accepted before the
Government was aware of their treachery.
At the same time, the insolent leaders of the insurrection in
Florida sent word to the
President, through
Senators Yulee and
Mallory, that the seizure of the public property within the limits of the
State of Florida was in consequence of the transfer of troops to
Fort Pickens, and proposed a restoration when that strong fortress should be evacuated!
Already, even before the Ordinance of Secession was passed, Florida troops had seized the Chattahoochee Arsenal,
with five hundred thousand rounds of musket cartridges, three hundred thousand rifle cartridges, and fifty thousand pounds of gunpowder.
1 They had also taken possession of
Fort Marion,
at
St. Augustine, formerly the
Castle of St. Mark, which was built by the Spaniards more than a hundred years before.
It contained an arsenal, the contents of which fell into the hands of the insurgents.
On the 15th they seized the Coast-survey schooner
F. W. Dana, and appropriated it to their use.
Slemmer heard of the movement at tile Navy Yard through Commander Walke, who had received instructions from Armstrong to put to sea immediately with the Supply, if the post should be attacked.
Slemmer sent a note at once to the Commodore, saying:--“I am informed that the Navy Yard is besieged.
In case you determine to capitulate, please send the marines to strengthen my command.”
To this he received no reply.
A few hours afterward, he saw the old flag go down at the Navy Yard, and heard, with mingled surprise and indignation, that the Commodore had ordered the Wyandot to cooperate with Fort Pickens under
strange restrictions.
Captain Berryman was ordered not to fire a shot unless his vessel should be attacked.
In case
Pickens should be assailed,
