Letter from James B. McRae to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; December 26, 1863

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Letter from James B. McRae to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; December 26, 1863

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People

Claiborne, J. F. H. (John Francis Hamtramck), 1809-1884 Clark, Charles, 1811-1877 McRae, James B.

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army

Organizations

Mississippi--Treasury Department

Occupations

Commercial Agents Cotton Gin Operators

Places

Mississippi--Hancock County Sectors of Land--Mississippi. Gulf Coast

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Dec 26^th 1863.

Governor

I have seen Col J. F. H. Claiborne and he has authorized me to say to you, that cotton and woolen cards can be procured on very favorable terms, and almost immediately for cotton. And that he will use his best efforts to serve the State in procuring them.

As the difficulty and expense of getting cotton abroad is very great, a liberal margin should be allowed in the shipment of cotton, since it would not be desirable in the post of those contracting to furnish the cards to make anything off the State.

If allowed to ~~furnish~~ ship five hundred bales of cotton we will agree to furnish ten thousand pairs of cards at $10.00 per pair. If a thousand bales twenty-thousand pairs at $5.00 per pair. If two thousand bales, fifty thousand pairs of cards at one dollar per pair.

If necessary we will duplicate this contract.

The cards to be in such proportion of cotton and woolen ^cards^ as may be agreed upon by you and to be paid for in Confederate money or such other money as may be in the State treasury upon their delivery to your agents. The cards are to be of a good Merchantile quality—. The cotton to be shipped, on the delivery of the cards, from any point on the gulf coast of the state or from any other Confederate port.

In addition we are willing to enter into an ar=rangment for supplying Blankets, shoes, clothing, Medi=cines ^needles^ or any other articles now so much needed by the people of the State or for the service of the army. unless

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the state allowing us a profit of fifty-per cent on the original cost & expense of such articles, and permitting us to ship cotten in payment. We will commence delivering the cards within twenty-days after receiving the contract and finish it in ninety. The coast of this State furnishes [?] facilities x safety for the execution of this project. I make the enclosed proposition in behalf of Col J F H Claiborne of Hancock Co and myself.

Respectfully

Jas. B. M^cRoe