The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-11-29

been able TO learn. The construction Is that IT a
State owDs the vessel out and out, the restrictions
shall not be imposed, but if she owns part, or
merely charters the entire vessel for the voyage,
then she must surrender halt her cargo space to
the government, and give the bond to return, &c.
The allegation that private ships should not be
allowed to escape restrictions by selling part in
terest to the State is only specious- My applica-
ton to the late Secretary of the Treasury, disclosing
the actual interest of the State in the Collie line of
steamers, and asking only to have that interest
empted was peemptorily refused 1t seems to me,
therefore, in the absence of any solid reason for
the action of the government, that wisdom and
true policy demand the repeal of the laws author
izins the imposition of these regulations, and that
every possible inducement should be held out to
the States to exchange their great staples for sup
plies for the common benefit.
Fortunately, of clothi and blankets we still
have an abundance A full exhibit of our opera
tons in the QArtermaster's Department, including
this subject, wia be found in the report of Adutant
General Gatling which goes herewith, and which |
commend TO yopr consideration From this il will
be that nat only have the army and the people
been supplied sith indispensable articles without
loss, but with ictual profit to the State, notwih-
standing the feirs OF some to the contrary. 1t has
not been our alb to make money, but to supply the
necessities of our people and army for simply cost
insnuatops which have been INDUCED against this
enterprise,I can only say that challenge the
strictest Investigation. Much has, perhaps, been
done that ought not and many losses have been
sustained which no living man could prevent in
so reckless and dangerous trade, and many I'M
positions have bee- practised upon US that were
unavoidable Oh account of our unrccognized and
defencelcss condition abroad. But fair invest-
satioh, will, | think, satisfy the man who is
opposed to furnishing a soldier pair Of shoes and
a blanket, unless the State were to make money by
tie transaction, that all these benefits have been
conferred without loss and even with handsome
profit
1t has seemed little strange that there should
be found among US any to object to this enter
prise, even should it have occasioned loss Of mo-
ney. 1t is certainly very barrow minded view of
the subject to regard it as matter of dollars and
cents. The saving of life and health and the
cheeriulness Of spirit impaired to our soldiers and
the comfort added to people by the introduce
ton of indispensable articles not obtainable in the
Confederacy, is invaluable. No money estimate
can measure these benefits A debt abroad, it
must also be remembered, is quite different thing
from debt created at home. Both are to be re-
deemed in gold at the face value of our bonds, but
for the ore receive gold ralue, and the other
Confederate value, SO to speak. Take one of our
State bonds for 81 900, issued here for example,
and one OF our Cotton warrants sold abroad for the
same sum. For the first receive seventy -four
dollars only, specie value, according to the calcuia-
ton of the Treasurer whilst for the last we receive
one thousand dollars Of specie value. The last
bond nobody grudges to redeem. Again, had we
been condemned to rely upon our State for cloth
ing, blankets and shoes, the same quantity of very
inferior articles could have been Obtained if at ALL
only by the seizure Of almost every pound Of wool
hor INF Il
price and the public distress. It would appear,
therefore, to every candid mind not only indispen-
sable to import these articles, but also economical
In every sense of the word. The simplest way
after all to look at it would be to consider what
has been imported, and ask if it was indispensably
necessary, and if so, could it have been obtained
at home, and if so, at what price?
You will perceive the great difficulty of render
ing slmplihed statement Of the account, owing to
a part being specie and part Confederate cur
rency transaction. This, with the constant fuc-
tuatlons in the value of money and exchange, has
rendered such statement almost impossible 1t
is believed, however, that the accompanying state
ment of Major John Devereux, marked 4, pre-
sents as fair and simple an exposition as can be
given. By this it will be seen that, including
ships, cotton and exchange, we have balance in
our favor in specie of sl26,957 30, and on the
currency account balance of 81 1852, 567 so.
The following amounts have been expended for
he benefit of the State, for part Of which special
appropriations would have otherwise been made
and which this Department has the right to ac-
count for as profits viz
Clothing issued to State troops, $55O,0OO 90
Paid into the Treasury, 1872, lO2 %
Ordnance and ordnance stores, 4SS.87O As
Clothing issued Sur. Genls Dept, $4,000 90
State bonds (sae of Advance), 100000 90
VI ediciDes furnished Suroeon General 10 OQ2 m
Supplies furnished Deat& Dumb Asyl. 20,550 90
Stationery furnished Sec'y of State, 2s,Gsl 20
Total, s2,l4G,l97 81
There is also in the hands of and due to Major
Dowd of the Clothing Department.. the sum of
3, 672,990, which, if so ordered, can be made
available to the Treasury for the current fiscal year
Wy Intention was to buy cotton, tobacco &c, for
'xportation SO as to make the ships cargo inward
'uy the cargo outward without any connection with
he Treasury, but perhaps it would be better to
iiEert 1t to this purpose to aid in avoiding an in
'rease of the public debt, and depend upon the |
proceeds of the supplies on hand to furnish the |
means for expectation. This sum added to the
bove WILL when paid into The Treasury, extincuish
he orr ginal appropriation of s., 1924 OOO leaving
balance of 81 1875. 1877, which with the articles on
land estimated at prices paid by the Confederate
luartermaster General, which are far below thc>
market price, will conceive constitute the nett
,rofts realized.
1t is proper to add that [ have reason for be- !
ievng the estimates for funds abroad to be far be-
ow"the truth, and that there large quantities
# shoes, cards, cloth and blankets ircn, bacon, &c.
IL 4 E.. 1