James A. Seddon to His Excellency WILLIAM SMITH, August 30, 1864

His Excellency WILLIAM SMITH, Governor of Virgima:

Str: I have received your letter commenting upon Major Boyle’s report in reply to my call upon him for the authority under which he was acting in imposing restrictions upon citizens of Culpeper and Fauquier desiring to carry to their homes articles of merchandise for their own use. In reply I have the honor to say that there must be some regulation to prevent the demoralizing trade with the enemy, to which there are so many and strong temptations, and this must be applied before the passage of our military lines, since beyond them there can be no effective control. This General Lee’s order seeks to do, and I really see no bet%er mode of accomplishing it. At the same time it is desirable that the legitimate wants of our loyal citizens in counties beyond the military lines, and yet not in the actual occupancy of the enemy, should be supplied. { know no better mode of effecting this than that permits should be obtained either from the Department directly, or that Major Boyle be instrueted to allow citizens, whose loyalty is vouched or known to him to be true, to take to their homes such articles as they need, on the assurance that they shall be used for legitimate purposes and not for trade with the enemy. If you desire it, such instructions will be given.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,