The telegram reached me about four o’clock, P. M., and I responded to it, on the same evening as follows:
Washington, Feb. 14, 1861.
Hon. C. M. Conrad, Chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, Congress of the Confederate States:—Despatch received; I will be with you immediately.
Respectfully, &c.,
R. Semmes.
The next morning, I repaired, as usual, to the office of the Light House Board, in the Treasury building, General John A. Dix being then the Secretary of the Treasury, and ex officio President of the Board, and wrote the following resignation of my commission, as a Commander in the United States Navy:
Washington, D. C., Feb. 15, 1861.
Sir:—I respectfully tender through you, to the President of the United States, this, the resignation of the commission which I have the honor to hold as a Commander in the Navy of the United States. In severing my connection with the Government of the United States, and with the Department over which you preside, I pray you to accept my thanks for the kindness which has characterized your official deportment towards me.
I have the honor to be very respectfully your obedient servant,
Raphael Semmes,
Commander U. S. Navy.
Hon. Isaac Toucey, Secretary of the Navy,
Washington, D. C.