The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-21

by myself But II 10 matter OF oral documentary proof
Ono thing only do deem it important TO add now In
full This bureau, through OF it's officers here and
another at Petersburg recently made Of
important contracts for supplies be delivered al
point not very far distant from the lines of General Lees
army The payment under each agreed TO be made
In cotton On the 7th Of January. the cemmlssary
charged to execute this contract THAT having
been appsed that the money 20 purchase the cotton had
been placed TO his credit ten days before he had CD oned
upon the fund, and been informed that there was no
money 10 meet his checks On thesth OF JANUARY the
Oommissary General wrote letter 60 the secretary or
War, rectng the above facts stating the important and
delicate character of the contract and the need OF the
heavy loss Of accommodations by the fire at Charlotte ~
6 and requesting that the money which stood 10 Major
iannahis credit be paid al But SO far It has not
The points have endeayored to present are
RESUME or TROUBLES.
Frs-Tha' there is not meat enough In the Southern
Confederacy at present for the armies has in the Geld
Second-That there is not in Virginia either meal or
Dread enough for the armies within her limits.
Th1d-That the bread supply from other places de.
pends absolutely upon the keeping open the railroad
furfh-That the meat must he obtained from abroad
through seaport and by different system FROM that
FJts-That the bread cannot be had by impressment
but must be paid for in market rates.
Sirfh-That the payment must be made In cash, which,
80 far has not been furnished and from present ndca
Eons cannot be and possible, in better medium IMAM
now circuates
,Seorn.-That the transportation is not adequate
from whatever cause TO meet the necessary demands OF
the service.
Eigha-That the supply Of fresh meat General Lees
army il precarous and If the army falls back from
Richmond ard Petersburg there every probability that
il will cease altogether.
Viaih--That the government has been for org time
fully advised by this bureau Of the leading facts In the
aboye.
BUREAU or SUBSISTENCE
4 RICHMOND, Jan, %, 1865
Hon. A. T. CApERToN and Hon j. B. BALDWIN, Chairnen
of Committee
t;ENTIExEN:-lt has been suggested that the sub
stance OF testimony reduced 10 writing by at the
request of the committee is defective in this that sug
gess remedy for the state OF things therein developed
have not considered 1t my duty u 60 into that
under the summons which brought me before your
mittee but to avoid misconcepon any quarter
that head now say that there is series Of
fcderacy.
MEASURES PROPOSED.
FSra-The increase OF the tax in kind
subsistence, without restriction. Q
Thiid-The Of coin In the enemys lines where
cotton cannot be used.
Furfh-rhe assignment Of proper persons To the duties
Of the department. whether they be be not subject to
military service
Fufh-Reform In transportation
,StIfh-The requisite amount Of currency.
or course it is implied that the military situation shall
not be rendered materially in respect OF railroads
and territory than it is al present
You VIII ob'ige me by laying this before the commit
tee. Very respectfully your obedient servant
i. &. RUFFlN, Lieut. Col. and c. g.
trne copy Of the original
$. b. BREWER Major and G. s.