MONTGOMERY, ALA., March 14, 1861.
Hon. S. R. MALLORY, Secretary of the Navy :
SIR: The port of Apalachicola is without any means of defense, having only two hundred muskets and sixty rifles; no artillery of any kind. The commercial importance of the city may make it more than a point of ordinary interest to the United States Government, if they intend to enforce the collection of the revenue.
The citizens of the city are organized into four volunteer companies, which comprise about two-thirds of the people capable of bearing arms. They are under apprehension that the city and property therein is in danger.
I beg to call your attention to the fact, and request that some means of protection may be afforded us if there is a probability of hostilities. The men can be raised there, it we had the guns.
Yours, respectfully,
D. P. HOLLAND.