S. C. Hayes to Robert B. Vance, January 6, 1864

Governor VANCE:

I regret to learn that because of an interest of your State in the steamer Don, objection is made to its conforming to the regulation about taking out Government cotton. The necessities of the Government really require adherence to this regulation, and I earnestly hope that you will not encourage or allow in your name the infringement of it.

J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War.

Richmond HOUSE, Richmond, January 6, 1864. His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President Confederate States of America:

DEAR SiR: I beg leave to call your attention to a weak point in the enemy’s lines to which your mind may not have been directed. I allude to the Irish element in the Northern population.

I owe you an apology for thus troubling you with this communication, but I do it from the best motives for our good. The views generally met the cordial approval of Hon. James A. Bayard, of Delaware, and Hon. Charles Brown, of Philadelphia, with the latter of whom I had frequent interviews before I left, March, 1862. In your judgment you may see some plan by which this party might be strengthened and encouraged by some complimentary allusion to the Trish in our Confederacy.