Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 02.djvu/103

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Resources of the Confederacy in February, 1865.
93


So far as this circular treats of impressment &c., and its bearing on the treasury and on this bureau, the subject was brought by me to the attention of Mr. Trenholm, last summer, and it was urged that Government should make it a subject of instant consideration, that the alternative was then before us of unlimited exaltation of prices and destruction of the currency, or of sustaining the views set forth. To enforce these, I wrote this circular, showed it to him, and again maintained that the law of impressment being sustained by no penalty, the Government, having been entrusted with its execution, had the duty of enforcing it, there being no alternative but to call Congress to act in a matter vital to the currency and the subsistence of the army.

(Signed)L. B. Northrup, C. G. S.

Bureau of Subsistence, Richmond, February 12th, 1865.

(No. 3.)

Statement of Meat en route to Richmond.

From Charleston, through blockade: rations.
2,018 cans meats, 72 pounds, 145,296 290,592
1,105 barrels pork, 200 pounds, 221,000 663,000
439 tierces beef, 304 pounds, 133,456 266,912
casks bacon, 600 pounds, 29,400 88,200
From Georgia:
60,000 pounds bacon 180,000
From Weldon, North Carolina:[1]
80,000 pounds bacon. 240,000
At Greensboro':
4,000 pounds pork 12,000
500 boxes, 36,000 pounds, meat 72,000
At Richmond:
30,000 pounds pork 90,000
En route from interior:
25,000 pounds pork 75,000
1,977,704
From Georgia, contingent upon communications being preserved:[2]
200,000 pounds bacon 600,000
Total number of rations as at present advised 2,577,704

Note by the C. G. S.—The very large importation before the war, into the South, of meats, soap and candles, rendered it obvious, in view of a long war, that all of these must be scarce; hence was


  1. This bacon was received under contract for delivery of cotton in exchange. Considerable receipts are expected from this source if cotton be promptly furnished and transportation for same provided.
  2. Large supplies, contingent upon money and transportation, expected from this State.
    (Signed)
    L. B. Northrup, C. G. S.