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 Duke University Libraries 
 
 (Letter of Seer 
 Conf Pam #468 
 
 D c l c 10fl2b3H + 
 
LETTER OF SECRETARY OF WAR, 
 
 War Department, C. 8 A.. ) 
 
 Richmond, Dec. 16, 1864, \ 
 
 To the President : 
 
 SlB :— 1 linve received a resolution of the House of Representa- 
 tives, adopted on the 19th ult., calling for information as to any 
 contracts made by the War Department, in the Trans-Mississippi 
 Department, for supplies of any sort to be paid for in cotton 
 
 In response, I have fie honor to report, that no contracts of the 
 character indicated have been made by me direct' y, or by any of 
 the Heads of Bureaus of this Department, (with a single ex- 
 ception to be hereafter stated.) with individuals or companies in 
 the Trans-Mississippi Department, for the famishing supplies of 
 any sort to the Depaitment, to be paid for in cotton. Tho' excep- 
 tion referred to is a contract made by the Ordnance Bureau with 
 Marmaduke & Thornton, for ten thousand Enfield rifles, to be de- 
 livered at San Antonia, Texas, at thirty dollar^ each, and to be 
 paid for in cotton there at twelve cents per pound. The contract 
 is dated October 25, 1863. and deliveries were to le under 
 
 it in instalments on the 20th April, 20th June, 2 . i-r, and 
 
 20th October, 1864. Xo deliveries have been made, of which the 
 Ordnance Bureau is advised. 
 
 If any contracts of the kind mentioned in the resolution have 
 been made with the sanction of the General Commanding the 
 Trai nppi Department, I have not been advised of their 
 
 terme he power to make contracts, so far as might 
 
 be Lecessary for the supply of the army in the Trans- Mississippi De- 
 partment, was reposed in the General Commanding that Depart- 
 ment. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 JAMES A. SEDDON, 
 
 Secretary of War. 
 
 
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. 
 
 Richmond, December 19, li 
 
 To the House of Repeesmtatives : 
 
 In response to your lesolution of the 19th ulr.. 1 herewith trans- 
 mit for your information a communication from the .Secretary of 
 War, relative to contracts for supplies to be paid for in cotton in 
 the TraDS-Missigsippi Department. 
 
 JEFFERSON DAVIS. 
 
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