| From the Raleigh Register |
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| April 19, 1862 |
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| To the People of North Carolina |
| At the request of President
Davis, I have undertaken to collect all the arms now in the hands of
private citizens of our State. For that purpose I have been invested
with authority to borrow, purchase, or if necessary, to impress them.
I am satisfied that it will never be necessary to resort to the use of
the last named power. Patriots of North Carolina, our soil is invaded,
and though we have men enough to repel the invaders, our men are
useless unless they have arms. Upwards of 20,000 stand of arms are now
lying useless in our houses; these arms should be collected and placed
in the hands of our noble defenders. None but a craven or disloyal
citizen will refuse to comply with this requisition. I will
immediately appoint suitable agents to go through every county in the
State, empowered to borrow, purchase, or, if necessary, impress arms;
but in the meantime, let me entreat all true patriots to send in all
of the muskets, rifles and double-barrel shot guns (good, bad, or
indifferent,) to the Sheriffs of the different counties, whom I do
hereby authorize to receive and pay for them agreeably to the attached
schedule of prices, and draw on me fop the amount necessary. |
| For good rifles and muskets,
$13 and $20 each, according to value; good double-barrel shot guns
from $13 to $38, according to value; other arms and parts of arms
according to valuation. |
| I have also been requested to
purchase old scrap iron, whether cast or wrought, and of all weights,
for which I will pay for the former 1 1/2 cents per pound; for the
latter 4 cents. |
| W. S. Ashe |
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