Incomplete letter from B. F. Arthur to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark with enclosures; November 12, 1864

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Incomplete letter from B. F. Arthur to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark with enclosures; November 12, 1864

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Each transcribed document contains links that connect it to other documents on the same topic in the collection.

People

Arthur, B. F.Bonham, Milledge L. (Milledge Luke), 1813-1890 Clark, Charles, 1811-1877 Trenholm, G. A.

Events

Confederate States of America. Congress. Legislation. Chapter XLIV (1864)Military Events--Blockade

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army United States. Army

Organizations

Confederate States of America. Congress South Carolina. Executive Department South Carolina. Treasury Watercraft

Occupations

Commercial agents Confederate States of America. President Secretaries South Carolina. Governor Tax collectors

Places

Augusta (Ga.)Columbia (S.C.)Georgia Richmond (Miss.)South Carolina

Vital Statistics

Disease and illness

Page 1

State of South Carolina,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Columbia Novr. 12. 1864

His Excellency
Charles Clark
Governor of Mississippi

Sir:

I am directed by his Excellency the Governor to send the enclosed copy of a correspondence between himself and Mr. Trenholm.

He desires to Express the hope that he [page torn] ^properly^ [page torn]stood and represented, the views enter-[page torn] by the Governors recently assembled at [page torn]

[page torn] would write himself, but is quite [page torn]

I have the honor to be
very Respectfully
your obt. servt.

B. F. Arthur
Private Secretary

Page 2

Copy

State of South Carolina
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
Columbia Nov^r 12^th 1864

[page torn] Trenholm
[page torn] Secretary of the Treasury

Sir:

Your letter of the 28^th of october [page torn] received several days since but owing to [page torn]ure of other matters and to sickness, [page torn] been unable to answer sooner.

[page torn] far from its being their wish to embarrass [page torn] [government?] in its commercial operations for procuring shoes, clothing and other army supplies, it is believed by the Governors who assem-bled at Augusta, that the States would facilitate the Government in procuring those articles, by running without restriction, chartered vessels as well as those owned exclusively by them=selves. The troops of those States which have run vessesl on their own account, unmolested, have been better clad, than those from States which have not enjoyed the same advan=[page torn] [furever?], the first named States have [page torn]led to supply their people with the needful [page torn] implements for raising supplies [page torn] themselves and for the Army. The States

Page 3

State of South Carolina
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

[page torn]essarily, in all their importations, prove [page torn] to the Government. I do not see [page torn] object will be impeded instead [page torn] by the States chartering vessels [page torn] [which?] I cannot think probable) the [page torn] [could?] charter vessels with the view [page torn] the Government. I confess I [page torn] every State should run the blockade [page torn] or more vessels upon her own account—I suppose no State run more than two—and if she charters them, I see no good reason why they should not be allowed to run them without restriction.

I cheerfully send a copy of your communication to each of the ^other^ Governors with whom I was associated, with a copy of this reply.

Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant

M. L. Bonham

Page 4

Treasury Depa[page torn]
Richmond [page torn]

To His Excellency
Gov^r M. L. Bonham
Columbia S. C.

Sir:

I have read with interest the patri=otic resolutions adopted by the Governors recently assembled at Augusta Georgia. The effect will be to confirm the determination of our people, and convince the enemy that the struggle can be terminated only by the recognition of our independence.

One of the resolutions adopted [page torn] apprehensive that the action of the [page torn] Government, in relation to the exportation [page torn] cotton and introduction of supplies, [page torn] I take the liberty of enclosing you a [page torn] Regulations adopted by the [?] [page torn] Act of Congress on 6 February 1864 and [page torn] that the Collectors are instructed to [?] [page torn] armed and employed by States, [ultimately?] [page torn] claim of freight room for the Confederate States. Vessels owned by private parties and employed by States under Charter, and those of which a share only is the property of a State (the remainder being private property) could not be exempted from the Regulations without danger of depriving the Government of the advantages ~~possessed~~ proposed by the Act 6 February. Private parties under such circumstances would endeavor in [every?] [page torn] case to connect themselves with [page torn] avoid compliance with the Regulations [page torn]

Page 5

and other reasons of weight, it would [page torn] the President to limit the exemption [page torn] in which vessels are [owned?] and employed exclusively by States.

I hope this explanation will induce you, and your distinguished associates, to refrain from any efforts to produce a relaxation of the regulations in this respect.

It is not the interest of the States to em-barrass the Government in these operatins, neither is it the intention I am sure, of the distinguished patriots who met at Augusta. The purpose is to supply our armies ~~with~~ [page torn] in the field with food clothing and [page torn] [?]; and I think it may [page torn] that the utmost rigor and [page torn]vity the execution of this purpose. [page torn] room that can be [?] [page torn] and the proceeds of the cotton [page torn] applied to the objects stated. If [page torn] were adopted by which private vessels [page torn] released from existing obligations, the resources of the Government for the shipment of cotton will necessarily be curtailed; the curtailment will be in a greater ratio than the enlargement of the facilities enjoyed by the States, and the result will be that the common object will be impact-ed instead of promoted.

Leaving it to you to communicate these views to their Excellencies the Governors of the other States, if you should deem it advisable, I remain with distinguished consideration [page torn]

yr most obt ser[page torn]

(sgd) G A Trenholm [page torn]
Sec [page torn]