Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1864-04-16
Remarkable Developments.

of the Western papers, THAI the rebel Gen,
cral + Kirby Smith had been negotiating
with certain parties in the United States
under the sanction Of the Confederate gov,
emmcnt, for an exchange ofcollon for -ucl
articles as the rebel troops were In most
pressing need. The statements being do.
MED, apparently on official agthority, the
matter was cropped.
The New York Times Of the 3lst gives
such public documents touching the trade
as to leave il without doubt that supplies
have been thus obtained Gen Smith APP
piled for authority from Richmond to enter
into such transactions with one John T.
Chichester Of Arkansas The rebel Sccre.
tary Of War, on the 10Th Of March, 1869,
replied by saying that such trade was not
allowable by the usages Of war, but in con.
sidcraton of the pressing necessities of the
army, it would be justifabe We quot
from tho document
1T is, Of course, not desirable TO resort 10
such trade with the United States, which
under the laws of Congress, when carried
on by citizens, is illicit and the ground q
penalties; but, when necessities have com.
PEELED the Government has on many occa
sons resorted to it to n greater or less sx,
tent; and my own judgment much prefers
the resort to suca trade, rather than TO all
low our armies to suffer, or the people to DO
pinchcd by the withdrawal of their necos
sary supplies tor the support Of the armies,
have not however, felt myself sufficiently
advised Of your circumstances, or the neces
stiles of your armies to determine on thu
propriety of such contracts, and thcrcforcl
have preferred referring Mr. Chichester to
You, and to your discretion and better
knowledge Of the making of such engage
ments, If the wants of your armies re-
qulrc il, even for thesincdcnta relief Of the
people from serious pressure, | have no hes.
itation in both authorizing and advising the
course, The terms and conditions ! must
likewise leave to your Judgment Provisions
should he obtained very low from tho North.
western States, and cotton, when sent for.
ward must pay very largely"
This document is signed by Jas. A. Sed.
don, Secretary of War, and countcrsigned
by the various authorities of the rebel War
Department.
Gen Smith at once gave the matter his
attention, and closed contract with Mr.
Chichester in ten articles of agreement
Mr.. Chichester was TO deliver at certain
points 10000 caps, 10000 jackets, 10000
pants, 10000 shirts, so, 600 drawers, 10000
pairs of shoes, G0OOO wool socks, 10000
great coats, 10000 pairs of marine blankets,
1880 yards Of army cloth, 10000 yards
lnscy, 10000 yards Of drilling, $50 gross
OF brass buttons, etc, etc, though a long
list infinitely described as to color and guam
tity with the price. He was to furnish ar.
my tools, also, to-wit: $50 dozen spades,
$50 dozen axes, $50 dozen hatchets, GOO
dozen camp kettles $500 dozen mess pans,
25O 900 yards Of Patapsco Duck, etc, etc,
with the quality and prices In return the
said Chichester or his agent was to have the
privilege Of purchasing and transporting
cotton anywhere within and outside Of the
rebel lines. The contract is drawn in good
style, and signed by W. H. HAYNES, Major
and @ NJ p, C. s. A, and John T. Chches-
ter and three witnesses.
There follows power of attorney cxccu-
ted to an agent by Mr. Chichester to act
for him in executing the contract Further
orders were given Mr. Chichester from time
to time, but the unfortunate CO turn Of mil.
tary affairs greatly intertGred with the ex-
ecution of the contract, and on the I'd of
Sept, 1868, the Secretary Of War made the
following Endorsement on his original letter
to Gen. Smith:
son the representation Of Mr.. Chichester
Of the difficulties nterposed by the fall Of
' icksburg, and other untoward events in
the Trans-Missssippi Department to the
delivery Of the goods contracted by him to
be delivered at points on the Arkansas and
White rivers, under an engagement made
by him with the Quartcrmasters and other
JlliCcTS VI inc lGlIlN NJ lSNlNSlppl lSDarI-
ment with the approval OF Gen. Smith, !
refer the matter again to the discretion Of
Gen. Smith, with the recommendation that
the privilege be accorded otIlcliverng and
payment in cottorNst one on more
Of the ports on the coast Of Texas, or at
points on the White and Arkansas rivers
JAMES a seldom.
Secretary OF War"
September 2, 1868
How much was really done under their
contracts, it is impossible to determine at
present. but there is little doubt that i'm
nensesuppIies were thus obtained Whether
my Of the agents of oar Government or its
generals had any connection with this pro.
liable traffic, we have no means of know
ng. The especial" agents sent out to Ut
'sgion undoubtedly had large powers con.
ided to them in regard to trade with the
,n,tLo,o Stotas but IL ;e MT ,,roholl. A.,