OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF SUBSISTENCE, January 24, 1865

Richmond, January 24, 1865.

Respectfully referred to the Secretary of War with the inclosed letio from Captain Taylor as matters of vital and immediate imporance. L. B. NORTHROP, Commissary-General of Subsistence.

JANUARY 24, 1865. Respectfully referred to the Honorable Secretary of the Treasury. If specie or Federal currency could be commanded the difficulty in obtaining subsistence stores would, as the within shows, be greatly diminished. J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War.

*See Taylor to Noland, J anuary 6, p. 1005.

CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES. 1033

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, January 21, 1865. Hon. F. 8. Lyon, Chairman, &e.:

SIR: Permit me to press upon your attention the necessity of prompt action upon the measures for the relief of the Treasury. The maximum amount of notes to be issued under the act of 17th of February, 1864, is $500,000,000; the amount issued and to be issued under drafts already drawn upon the Bureau at Columbia is $468,000,000; amount still available, $32,000,000.

The fall of Fort Fisher having closed the harbor of Wilmington, the demand for the new taxable bonds (the coupons of which were used in payment of duties) has greatly diminished, and the sales from the Treasury ceased altogether. The only source from which relief can be expected under existing circumstances is from taxation, aided by the proposed action of the States in anticipating the collection thereof. I earnestly recommend this important subject to your immediate attention.

Your most obedient servant, G. A. TRENHOLM, Secretary of the Treasury.