Jno. R. Baylor to George W. Randolph, June 18, 1862

Hon. G. W. RANDOLPH, Secretary of War, Richmond: SIR: Referring to the personal communications I had the honor of making to you in Richmond, I can now inform the department that I have satisfactory assurances that the necessary exchange on Europe based upon the sale of cotton for neutral account can be had by the Government for the purchase of arms, munitions of war, «ce. I am now in relation with the parties in Georgia and Alabama representing the foreign buyers, and am satisfied that the occasion now offers for importing arms, medicines, munitions, &c., into Texas and Arizona by the way of Guaymas, in Mexico, on the Gulf of California. I take this occasion of renewing the suggestion of thus supplying the military necessities of the department west of the Mississippi. The port of Guaymas is not suspected by the enemy, and a large and valuable supply of winter clothing, powder, &c., can be thus imported. There is cotton enough in Texas thus utilized to arm and equip an army in Texas and Arkansas capable of holding that country against the whole power of the enemy.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,