1861, February 8. The Constitution of the Confederate States adopted. February 18. Jefferson Davis inaugurated President. February 21. The President of the Southern Confederacy nominates members of his Cabinet. February 21. Congress at Montgomery passed an Act declaring the establishment of free navigation of the Mississippi. March 19. Confederates passed an Act for organizing the Confederate States. April 8. South Carolina Convention ratified the Constitution of the Confederate States by a vote of 119 to 16. _Mr. Sullivan_: We propose now to introduce the papers found on board the Savannah when she was captured. The history of these papers is, that they were captured by the United States officers, taken from the Savannah, and come into our hands now, in Court, through the hands of the United States District Attorney, in whose possession they have been;--and they have been proceeded upon in the prize-court, for the condemnation of the Savannah. The first I read, is-- The Commission to the Savannah, dated 18th May, 1861. Also, put in evidence, copy of Act recognizing the existence of war between the United States and the Confederate States, and concerning letters of marque,--approved May 6, 1861. Also, read _President Davis' Instructions to Private Armed Vessels_,--appended to the Act. Also, an Act regulating the sale of prizes, dated May 6, 1861,--approved May 14, 1861. Also, an Act relative to prisoners of war, dated May 21, 1861. _Mr. Sullivan_ also read in evidence three extracts from the Message of President Lincoln to Congress, at Special Session of July 4, 1861. (_See Appendix._) Also, extracts from the Message of President Buchanan, at the opening of regular Session of Congress, December 3d, 1860. (_See Appendix._) Also, from page 245 of _Rebellion Record_: Proclamation of the Queen of Great Britain, dated May 13, 1861. _Mr. Evarts_ objected to this, on the ground that it could not have been received here prior to the date of the commission. Objection overruled. Also, from page 170 of _Rebellion Record_: Proclamation of the Emperor of France,--published June 11, 1861. Also, the Articles of Capitulation of the Forts at the Hatteras Inlet, dated August 29th, on board the United States flagship Minnesota, off Hatteras Inlet. _Mr. Evarts_ remarked that this latter document was not within any propositions hitherto passed upon; but he did not desire to arrest the matter by any discussion, if their honors thought it should be received. _Judge Nelson_: It may be received provisionally.