Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-12-24
Messrs. Editors of the Journal :

From your edtcra: in to-days paper, headed " The
Impressed Flour" | am PIT in possession of iaforma-
ton entirely new to M, and 10 have known which
sooner would have relieved me from much anxiety, and
saved ne some trouble. That it not the design of
Capt. Myers other military authority, to prevent
-four being brought here but, on ire contrary to
turn over much -four to the town. it strikes as
very singular should not have had ntmation Of
have wish 10 claim or exact special consideration
personally but my whole action in this matter was
in my fl ;aI capacity as Mayor OF the town of Will
mington | think | had right to expect from Capt.
Myers and otier military gentlemen taking part in the
mpres:ment of -four, purchased by my official authori
IT, for the town, tbs courtesy OF nOl ming of the
reasons for It's impressment
The acs and circumstances connected with this -four
matter are briefly these On the 18th November,
-four being then, per your market report, $lO5 to
$40 per DBL, and advancing, informed by q
merchant Of this place that he could procure tor the
town. IN the interior Of the State, 500 bbls at from
$55 to So Fer bb said, in reply, that if l could
obtain an assurance from the military authorities to
protect the flour from impressment, would authorize
Lil to make the purchase, and pay him such commits
sion as would compensate him for his time and trouble
in attending to it, On that day, 10Th November, l
addressed note to Gen. biting informing him fully
on the subject ard asking if he woula extend his Off
ca protection over the -four 30 purchased against i'm
pressplent. Ga the following day received q reply
from Major Venable, enclosing copy of General Or
de5s from Adjutant and Inspector Generals Depart
ment, (which of itself should suppose ought to have
u
the assurance OF Gen. Whiting that within the limits
of his command these supplies shall not be impressed
and that he had communicated with Maj. Gen. Pick
ett commanding department of North Carolina, asking
his cooperation in this matter" On the 25th Nov
Maj. VenabIe enclosed me the following order from
Gen. Pickett, dated at Petersburg, Va, 23d Nov.
1868:
" SpeciQl Orders"
The supply of -four purchased by the Relief Com
mittee of the town OF Wilmington will be allowed to
pass from this department 4fee from impr Esmen. By
command" sc.
With these documents in hand l did not for one mo-
suppose that the slightest obstacle would be thrown
IN the way and at once closed the matters with the
merchant her placing the funds necessary in bis bands
to be deposited in the Branch Bank OF Cape Fear
Salisbury, to be drawn cut ia payment for the -four as
received, and wrote to my friend D. A. Davis ESQ OF
Salisbury explaining the objects and furnishing him
witt the authority of Gen. Whiting, and few days
after with copy of Gen Pickett's order On the 5h
inst, (Sunday) The following dispatch was placed in
tor you if so how much and for what purpose Please
telegraph at once.
(Sigoed) A.-MYERS,
Capt. & Commissary."
Understanding from Ag't here that Mr.. Foster was
the party at Salisbury to purchase the -four, replied
on Monday the 7th inst-"Capt. Myers, Salisbury
Foster authorized pu chase 500 barrels. Have the
authority Of Gems. Pickett and Whiting. See D. A.
Davis Now, in the ace of ali this information and
the authority Capt Myers did seize the
-four. If there has been any misunderstanding Or
disregard of all rights authority and necessi
IT, it has been on the part of Capt. Myers. But
held the following order Of the Secretary of War
under bis own hapd"The -four purchased for the ndi