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 Communication f 
 Conf Pam #319 
 
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 MESSAGE OF THE illESIDENT. 
 
 Richmond, Va., March 10, 1863. 
 To the House of Representatives : 
 
 I herewith transmit a communication from the Secretary of the 
 Navy, in further response to your resolution of the 5th ult., in regard 
 to the number and amount of claims for vessels seized for public use, 
 
 JEFFERSON DAVIS. 
 
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COMMUNICATION FROM SECRETARY OF ]SAVY. 
 
 Confederate States of America, ^ 
 
 Navy Dtpa'tmcnt, ^ 
 Richmond, March 9th, 1863. ) 
 The President: 
 
 Sir: Referring to my letter of the 13th ultimo, in response to 
 the following resolution adopted by the House of Representatives, 
 **Rcsolv€d, That the President be requested to communicate to the 
 House the number and amount of claims for vessels seized for public 
 use— filed in the War and Navy Departments, and in the Auditor of 
 the Treasury Department the Lames of the claimants, the time when 
 Bevcrally filed, and the estimated sum required for their payment," 
 I have the honor to submit the claim of Mr. Daniel J. Turner for 
 a steam dredge machine, sunk in Dismal Swamp Canal, by order of 
 Commander Thomas T, Hunter, Confederate States Navy, and to en- 
 close herewith a copy of the appraisement and Commander Hunter's 
 certificate. 
 
 With much respect. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 S. R. MALLORY, 
 Secretary of the Navy. 
 
[Copy.] 
 
 The undersigned, disinterested citizens and property owners of the 
 county of Camden, North Carolina, having been called upon to ad- 
 judge the value of one steam dredge machine, belonging to Daniel J. 
 Turner, and which was seized and sunk in the new cut of the Dismal 
 Swamp Canal by order of Capt. Thomas Hunter, Confederate States 
 Navy, do, from their knowledge of said steam dredge machine, ad- 
 judge its cash value at seven thousand dollars. 
 
 Given under our hands, in the county of Camden, this 10th day of 
 April, 1862, in duplicate. 
 
 (Signed,) WM. R. ABBOTT. 
 
 (Signed,) J*jHN W. HOLSTEAD 
 
 (Signed,) • W. C. GORDON. 
 
 State of North Carolina, County of Camden, April 10, 1862 : 
 
 This day personally appeared before me, W. W. Sawyer, a justice 
 of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, William R. 
 Abbott, John W. Ilolstead and Willis C. Gordon, whose names are 
 signed to the above paper, and made oath that the value assessed by 
 them on the steam dredge machine of Daniel J. Turner, sunk in the 
 new cut of the Dismal Swamp Canal, is a fair and equitable cash val- 
 uation thereof, and I certify, that the paid William R. Abbott, John 
 W. Holstead and Willis C. Gordon, are respectable and responsible 
 citizens of this county. 
 
 (Signed,) W. W. SAWYER, /. P. 
 
 C. S. Steamer "Gaines," off Fort Morgan, ) 
 Mobile, Ala., March 26, 1862. ] 
 
 Mr. Daniel J. Turner : 
 
 Sir: At your request I cheerfully certify to my having seized, on 
 the 9th of February last, in the name of the Confederate States, your 
 steam dredging machine and sunk it in the Cross Cut Canal, near its 
 junction with the Pankatank river, immediately after my passing that 
 place with the three Confederate steamers bound to Norfolk. The 
 value of the machine can now readily be determined, as she was only 
 slightly scuttled. It was essential to the public interest at the 
 moment. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 (Signed,) THOS. T. TURNER, Com'dr C. S. N., 
 And lately Sr. Off. of that dttachment of the N. 7. Fleet. 
 
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