WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, January 3, 1861.
Hon. DAVID CLOPTON, House of Representatives:
SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th ultimo, asking for the plat and plan of the magazines at Mount Vernon Arsenal, Alabama. In reply, I have to say that I would cheerfully comply with your request did not the interests of the service in the present condition of affairs forbid the publication of information of that description.
…………Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. HOLT,
Secretary of War ad interim.