The case may be briefly stated: the Government has lost the confidence of the people, and can get no further credit from them, and without money your Department must inevitably break down.
It is not probable that the authorized issues of the Treasury will even be sufficient to pay past indebtedness and cover future purchases, but the people would be satisfied if the certificates of indebtedness held by them to a certain period were made receivable in payment of taxes, and then all funds received by disbursing officers could be used for future purchases.
Is such a measure feasible, or is there any near prospect of relief from the present extreme and dangerous embarrassment touching the subsistence of our armies?
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed)John J. Walker,
P.S.—I beg to offer the suggestion that the authority given by the Secretary of War to pay local value till 1st February, be extended indefinitely, or at all events until the new Macon crops is disposed of.
(No. 9.)
Greensboro', 2d February, 1865.
[Extract.]
Colonel L. B. Northrup, Commissary-General, Richmond, Virginia:
Colonel— * * * "My officers are without funds, and their efforts to secure subsistence are paralyzed in consequence of same. Producers are refusing to sell even at market prices, because they say the Government will not pay. Something should be done by the Treasury Department to meet the drafts which have been passed to their credit at the depository at Raleigh, but for which not one cent has been sent forward to meet same. Outside purchasers have money, and are buying largely, while our officers and agents have to take a back seat and await the arrival of funds." * *
Major and Chief C. S.
(No. 10.)
salt
The supply of salt has always been sufficient, and the Virginia works were able to meet the demand for the army; but in view of the possible loss of the Country in which they are situated, arrangements were made at the beginning of the war for its supply in different States of the Confederacy, and the supply thus
