| Executive Department |
| Tallahassee, May 13, 1863 |
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| Lieutenant George W. Gift |
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| Lieutenant, |
| Yours of the 4th instant was received by
due course of mail, and immediately upon its receipt I had copies of
it made and forwarded to the Secretary of War and General Finegan. I
requested General Finegan to correspond with Mr. Yulee, the agent of
the owners of the railroad iron, and try to procure it by contract.
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| I urged upon the Secretary of War the
necessity and propriety of having the iron taken up and used for the
purposes of the Government, with or without the consent of the
owners. I have not yet heard from General Finegan. Have postponed
replying to you, hoping in my reply to be able to inform you of the
success of your application.
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| I have the honor to be, respectfully,
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| John Milton
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