; ; H. E. McCULLOCH to Samuel Cooper, October 17, 1861
San Antonio, October 17, 1861.
General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General :
SIR: From the time I came to this place (2d September) cotton has been passing through it to Mexico. The quantity has been considerable, though not very great, but ithas been increasing for the last three _ weeks, and I have just been informed by reliable persons that a much greater quantity has been and is still passing from Texas into Mexico by wagons on the route below this and by light-draught vessels that go through the bays and bayous along the coast to the mouth of the Rio Grande. Cotton is now worth twenty-two and twenty-three cents at New York, and I am satisfied that a large proportion of the cotton going = — into Mexico passes on to that and other Northern ports. mi
The policy of our Government is no doubt to prevent our cotton being shipped to the United States to sustain the manufacturing interests — – of our enemies. Under these circumstances how is it to be done, and – can the military authority here do anything in it?
There is a large number of beef cattle now being purchased by persons for the market in Mexico. Such a thing has not been known in Texas for many years, and I think there is good reason to suppose that these cattle are for the benefit of the U. S. Army that are expected to come through Mexico either from California or by sea, and for the support of that portion of the Army in New Mexico. It seems to me that a proper regard for the safety of the country would justify the suspension of this trade for the present, or that those engaged in it should be ‘
required to show that the produce is intended for the use of the people -of Mexico only. lam of the opinion that there are no custom-house officers of our Government on the Rio Grande. There should be officers at several points from El Paso to Brazos Santiago—say El Paso, Presidio del Norte, Eagle Pass or Fort Duncan, Laredo, Roma, Rio Grande City, Brownsville, and Point Isabel. – The subject of our trade and intercourse with Mexico is one of great -—. importance to our Government, especially during this war, and no step E should be hastily taken without proper consideration, and it is greatly to our interest that nothing should be done to interrupt the most liberal . trade and intercourse with the people of that country, as far as it can 2 be permitted with safety to our interests. I mention these articles and = this manner of trade now progressing in order to inform the Govern— ment that the proper direction may be given respecting them. It may seem strange that I am still writing as the commanding officer of this department at these headquarters, when it must be known to the Secretary of War that General Hébert is within the Department of 1 Texas (at Galveston, where he has been for some weeks), but he has – not published any order assuming command, or relieved me in any man- – mer by which I could feel justified in leaving the office, to which, in conE sequence of my senior rank, I was assigned
by order of the Secretary
of War (Special Orders, No. 123), and the orders of General Van Dorn,
copies of which I herewith inclose.* I mention this matter that I may
not appear ridiculous in the eyes of the officers at the seat of Govern-
\ ment. »
; I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
; ; H. E. McCULLOCH,
Colonel, C. S. Prov. Army, Comdg. Department ^f Texas.
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