| Engineer Bureau |
| October 14, 1863 |
| |
| Hon. C. J. McRae |
| &c &c |
| Paris |
| |
| Sir, |
| I am directed by the Hon Sec of War to
forward to you the enclosed copy of a contract entered into by the
Confederates States Government with Alexr Dudley Esqr, Prest of the {Richmond
&} York River R. R. and to bespeak your attention to the
financial operations to which this contract has led. |
| Sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) of the
Engineer Appropriation have been recently placed in the hands of Henry
Lanage Esq. C S Depository at Wilmington, NC to the credit of J. M.
Seixus, the Agent of the Government at that point for the purchase of
Cotton. It is proposed to send this cotton abroad, to sell it and to
place the proceeds in the hands of Messrs Fraiser Trenholm & Co.
Liverpool, to meet the obligations arising out of the enclosed
contract. |
| If, after the payment of this debt to the
York River R. R. Company, there should remain any portion of this
fund, it should be placed to the credit of the Engineer Bureau. I
respectfully request that your attention be directed to secure the
prompt attainment of the objects contemplated by thee Govt in this
transaction. |
| Your Obt. Servt |
| A. L. Rives |
| Lt Col & Actg Chf Engr Bureau |
|