f said resolution as directs the
Secretary 'to report to the House my orders given said Hunter,
and correspondence between him and the Department,' the President
instructs me to answer that the report, at this time, of the
orders given to and correspondence between Gen. Hunter and this
Department would, in his opinion, be incompatible with the public
welfare.

"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"EDWIN M. STANTON,
"_Secretary of War_."

"WAR DEPARTMENT, }
"WASHINGTON, July 2, 1862. }

"SIR: On reference to the answer of this Department of the
fourteenth ultimo to the resolution of the House of
Representatives of the ninth of last month, calling for
information respecting the organization by Gen. Hunter, of the
Department of South Carolina, of a regiment of volunteers for the
defence of the Union, composed of black men, fugitive slaves,
etc., it will be seen that the resolution had been referred to
that officer with instructions to make an immediate report
thereon. I have now the honor to transmit herewith the copy of a
communication just received from Gen. Hunter, furnishing
information as to his action touching the various matters
indicated in the resolution.

"I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,

"EDWIN M. STANTON,
"_Secretary of War_.

"Hon. G. A. GROW,
"_Speaker of the House of Representatives_."

"HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, }
"PORT ROYAL, S. C., June 23, 1862. }

"Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, _Secretary of War_, Washington.

"SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a
communication from the Adjutant-General of the army, dated June
thirteenth, 1862, requesting me to furnish you with the
information necessary to answer certain resolutions introduced in
the House of Representatives, June ninth, 1862, on motion of the
Hon. Mr. Wickliffe, of Kentucky, their substance being to
inquire:

"First. Whether I had organized or was organizing a regi