The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1864-02-06
Mr. Chase Supplying the
Rebels.

IF the western Republican press is t.
be believed Mr.. CHAsE's treasury agent:
are quite as active in supplying the reb
els with what they need on the Missis
sippi as are his custom.h"use officers on
the Atlantic coast. The Cincinnati
Gnsetc proves conclusively that the
whole system of trade permits on the
river is nothing less than an organized
swind'e npon honest commerce, and
that no one eains bv it but the personal
friends of Mr.. CHAsE's political friends,
who hold the offices. The Gnzeftc pub
fishes long letter from an agent nf the
Sanitary COMMISSION, who writes of what
he actually saw in trip up and down
the Mississippi.
We quote an extract:
The custom is, as I have been credi.
hlv informed. for men of capital and
rrofcssed LOYALTY. or I might say un.
doubted LOYALTY. to procure permits to
trade. These persons sent agents of
doubtful loyalty. and these again sub
agents. more unscrupulous. and who are
loval to their interests. These men are
paid ten dollars per bale on all the cotton
they can purchase at fifteen cents per
pound. Thev proceed to different
points along the river, and establish di
rect connection with guerrilla chiefs
and hands, who. for consideration. will
afford protection to the cotton which
they purchase. Supplies are furnished;
many articles contraband Of war are
smuegled in and the enemy in this way
are directly furnished with that they
most stand in need of. These specuia-
tors. ifloval at home. must need assume
the garb oftraitors and rebels when they
go beyond our lines. and. to show their
svmnathy, communicate all the informa.
ton they are in noSsession Of. and abuse
and curse the Yankees to the perfect
satisfaction of their new friends.
The Gazette adds pditorially:
II appears from all the information we
have. that the rings as some of the cot
ton spectators are called. enter in toar-
rangements with agents of the govern
ment to divide the proceeds of thoir op.
erations. Furnished with permits. they
pass through the lines. and arrange with
the euerrillas. naying the latter so much
bale or pound for all the cotton Oh.
tanned. and smuggling goods through
for their use besid.s. Thus the mon.
strous spectacle is presented to the gov
ernment officials being in partnership
with combinations of spectators, which
keep the guerrillas on the Mississippi
alive. and make it their interest to keep
together. These outlaws and murder
ers, who are plunderins the people, fir
ing on unarme steamers, and destroy.
ing the property of the government, OBJ
tain their principal means of support
from men who receive permits to trade
from, and are under contracts to divide
the profits of their business with, officers
Of the government. This is the most
monstrous aspect ofthe case that has yet
been presented, and. but for the con-
vincing character of the information be-
fore us, we should be slow to believe
that any loyal man, especially a sworn
Oficer Of the government, could be gull
~ of aiding bands of outlaws who are
numbering our soldiers, destroying our
boats. and robbing private citizens.
This is indeed monstrous state of af.
fairs but is i not what night be expec
ted when men like CALLIcoT are delib-
erately appointed treasury agents by Mr.
CHASE! Congress should look into
this matter, and, afte, furnishing the
guilty, instruct the Treasury Depart,
ment to throw open the trade of the
Mississippi to all who choose to enter
upon it. Tie: rebels would fare no bet.
ter than they do under the present sys.
TEN, while loyal, honest traders would,
at least, have an even chance with the
guerrillas, and togues. Every pound Of
cotton we receive helps our financial
conaition, and every green.back which
finds its way to the south in exchange
for il is an appeal to selfinterest against
the rebellion. Mr.. CHAsE's particular
friends would not do SO well, but the
country st large would be benefited.