tion was accepted February 25th. In April--I think it was
April 1st--I received a telegram from the Confederate States Secretary
of the Navy Mallory, to "come to Montgomery and take a commission for
active service." I think I am quoting the words of the message. I
started without delay, and on arriving in Montgomery was introduced to
Secretary of War Walker, who soon said to me: "The President has
designated you to go to Europe for the purchase of arms and military
supplies; when can you go?" I replied that, of course, I could go
immediately, but if any preparations were to be made which would
require time, I should like to return to my family before starting.
"Take ten days," said he. "Be back here at the end of that time." I was
then introduced to Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, to whom I was to
report.

I returned to Tuscaloosa and early in the morning of the tenth day of my
leave of absence, I drove into Montgomery on the top of a stage-coach.
When near the town we met a man on horseback who shouted that Beauregard
had opened fire on Sumter. By this I know that it was April 12th. There
was naturally much excitement in Montgomery, especially about the War
and Navy Departments.

On reporting to Col. Gorgas, I found that no arrangements had been made
for my going to Europe. I had no orders and did not know what I was to
do for money. I called on the Secretary of the Treasury, Meminger, but
he knew nothing about my going abroad. "When are you going?" said he. I
replied that if I expected to get through the North, I had no time to
lose; and it was finally arranged that he should provide me with money
for my trip to New York, where I should receive funds for my journey to
Europe. During my interview he remarked that he had no money; and it
would appear that the statement was literally true, for it is difficult
to conceive from what source, so soon after its organization, a new
Government could derive any revenue.

Before leaving Montgomery, Mr. Davis called me to his office and asked
me to be seated while he received his callers, saying he wanted to talk
with me about my mission, and that ideas would come to him between his
interviews with his callers. I took the chair assigned me, and while he
was reading the pile of letters which lay open before him, the callers
began to come in. I do not recall any of the conversation which took
place, but I remember clearly one incident which some may say was
characteristic of the