Unknown to James A. Seddon, January 27, 1864

Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War:

Sir: I had the honor on the 19th day of December last to inclose you and request your attention to a resolution of the Legislature as to the Government foregoing the right heretofore exercised of shipping cotton and bringing freight on the boats of the Importing and Exporting Company of South Carolina in consequence of the ownership of the State of a part of these boats. The resolution seems to explain itself. I have not yet received a reply. I inclose copies both of the act on the subject and the resolution,* and ask leave to introduce to your acquaintance Mr. Charles M. Furman, president of the bank of the State, who will present to you the views of the Legislature in passing the act and resolution, as well as my own, as to the importance to the Confederate Government and the State of the proposed relinquishment. He is fully authorized to act in the premises. It will be my object to import mainly army supplies and agricultural implements—the former to relieve as far as practicable the Confederate Government and keep the troops from this State well equipped for service, and the latter to keep the citizens supplied with the implements for raising subsistence for themselves and the troops in the field.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,