| State of North Carolina |
| Executive Department |
| Raleigh Dec. 23d, 1863 |
| |
| To Hon. Jas. A. Seddon |
| Secy. of War |
| Richmond Va. |
| |
| My Dear Sir, |
| Some eight months since this
State loaned to the Confederate Govt. some eighteen hundred bales of
Cotton upon the request of Maj. Cameron, Q. M. at Wilmington to load
Confederate Steamers. The Cotton was to be replaced or paid for at my
option. Some time since I applied for the Cotton to be replaced -- the
demand was replied to by a Capt. Archer of Genl. Whiting's staff,
alleging that he had bought the Cotton and coolly offering me
20 cents per lb. and transportation, just what it cost the State
sixteen months since. It was bought to meet a prospective debt abroad,
which I am called upon to pay in part, and I cannot replace it for
less than 80 cents per pound in South Western Ga. and, as the
Government has monopolized the rail roads, I cannot in fact get the
cotton at all to load my Steamer. In this dilemma I can but appeal to
you, to return my Cotton. Justice and fair dealing requires this, to
say nothing of the importance of keeping the Steamers running with all
possible dispatch whilst Wilmington remains open. |
| Very Respectfully |
| Yr. obt. servt. |
| Z. B. Vance |
|