Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-08-14
ICorespondence of the Cleveland Leaderl
How an Alabama Rebel and Chicago
Yankee traded in Cotton.


NASHVILLE, Tenn, August 8.
Ex-Governor Bibb, of Alabama, is large
planter and resides at MeOresville, in that
State, near Decatur. Notwithstanding
the order of the Southern dictator, JEFF
Davis, to burn it, the Ex-Governor had an
entire crop of the much sought fer cotton
on hand, amounting to two hundred bales,
but it was not for sale to any Lincolnits
whatsoever. About a month ago, there
came to these parts from the goodly city Of
Chicago, young man, a cotton buyer, the
son of a wealthy banker there, who, when
he had learned of the said two hundred
bales of cotton and the conditions of sale,
determined to surmount every difficulty
like true Yankee and buy the cotton.
Born in Ohio, raised in Wisconsin, and now
residing in Illinois, our speculatOr was of
course much exposed to being known PriHa
tdeie as Yankee, but having q broad face
and foreign moustache, and having ae-
ouired perfect command Of the German
language, his course was soon determined
upon. Procuring the best pair Of horses
and carriage the country could afford, him
self being arrayed in his best style with
gsiter boots and plug hat, negro driver
and a negro waiter besides, our cotton spec
ulator drove up to the mansion of the de-
voted and self-saerifcing rebel.
! h,s s,Ev him cnIf
yery broken English as q merchant from
| Germany, saying in consequence OF the un-
fortunate. disturbances in this country, his
mercantile firm had found it necessary to
send one Of their firm directly to this eoun-
try to make purchases Of cotton from the
planters themselves.
The Ex-Governor was delighted; the long
| looked for time to save his cash, and at the
same time to cheat the Yankee out Of the
profits had come. The young German mer-
/ chant was warmly welcomed and shared
bountifully Of the planters hospitality un-
til the following day. The planter dsughr
ters were introduced to the young foreign
er and were deeply interested. He told
them. as far as his imperfect English would
permit, of the pecularities OF the fadeT-
| land. especially Of the beautiful scenery
upon the Rhine. de urged them 10 Visit
Europe, and preferred them all the assist
anee which he, being the son Of German
Count, could give to make their journey
pleasant. The young ladies even went so
far as to instruct the young German how
to speak the English more distinctly, which
instruction the cotton-buyer tried to follow,
but apparently with very indifferent sue
cess.
But in the main object Of his visit he
was more successful; the two hundred bales
Of cotton were purchased on favorable
terms, and the Ex-Governor, who, by the
by, had made application for guards around
his property, which we're furnished him
while our army was stationed near him
under the plea that he was at heart o
Union man, was particular to urge upon
the young foreigner the justice and hope
fulness Of the Confederate cause, desiring
him particularly tOimpress that view upon
his friends and aequaintances In Germany
know personally both the planter anC
Yankee trader, from whom 1 had the facts
but the cotton is now all delivered, and
am under no further obligation to keel
from your readers fact which alike illus
trates the perhdy Of the rebels and tn
shrewdness Of the cotton speculator- 9.