James A. Seddon to Robert E. Lee, February 19, 1864

General R. E. LEE, Commanding, &e.:

GENERAL: The pressure of business incident to the close of the session of Congress, engrossing every moment of my time, must be my excuse for not having sooner replied to your letter of the 16th instant. + I am happy to concur with you entirely in thinking it advisable to obtain supplies of provisions in exchange for cotton and tobacco, even if portions of the latter are received by the enemy in such transactions. Indeed, I had anticipated your views by instructions to the commissaries to pay for all meat brought to them from the border counties, whether from within the enemy’s lines or not, at the option of the parties, in such products. Nor in my anxiety to provide for the Army have I hesitated to make contracts, some of them of large amount, with parties believed to be loyal and yet capable of carrying them out, for the delivery of provisions and other necessary stores to be brought from within the enemy’s lines. Some provisions have already been obtained in this way, and strong confidence is felt that the quantity will be largely increased. Full confidence is felt in your own discretion with regard to such arrangements, and you are authorized to make them, if opportunity offers, within your command.

Very respectfully,