| Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond, Va., 3 Sept. 1863 |
| |
| Capt. L. P. Grant, Corps of Engineers |
| In charge at |
| Atlanta Ga |
| |
| Captain, |
| Yours of the 24th ult. has been received
and I have had a conference with the Hon. Secretary of War in regard to
the question raised by you in the communication -- viz: whether the
owners of negroes in Alabama will be allowed to offset the number of
negroes furnished by them in Georgia, in the event of being called on
for their quota by the State authorities of Alabama? The Secretary
decided that he cannot authorize the giving of pledges, on that head, to
the owners of negroes, inasmuch as the Confederate Government cannot
bind itself to interfere in a matter appertaining to State legislation. |
| Very resply yours, |
| A. L. Rives |
| Lt Col & Actg Chf Bu. |
|