Grenada, June 26, 1864
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| Maj. Gen. S. D. Lee, C. S. Army |
| Meridian |
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| My Dear Sir, |
| Recently I have had occasion to
trouble you about many things. I regret that it was my seeming duty
to do so. I do not know if it is the wish of the Government
authorities to have the {Mississippi} Central
road kept in repair or not. If it has such a desire they must aid
now in obtaining tools, materials, provision, and labor. I dislike
asking for aid, and do not do so except from necessity. I have asked
permission to send cotton into the northern counties to exchange for
bacon, believing it to be better than to ask the Government to sell
it to me. I have also asked to exchange cotton for tools and
materials. It is not probable that more than fifty or sixty bales
would be required to be sent forward to supply our present
necessities. If these are denied me, then I shall have to request
you to direct the commissaries to sell me provisions (bacon) for our
hands. But why deny the road what is done by individuals almost
daily, and, as is generally believed, by army officers located at
this place and north of here? There is probably no proof that army
officers here are interested in contracts and shipment of cotton,
yet there is not an intelligent person in the community who does no
believe it from circumstances of almost daily occurrence. If they
labor to supply the Army it is well, but if for their own profit it
is more to be condemned than if done by a private person. |
| I wrote to you some days
since by Mr. Wang in reference to a proposition from New Orleans,
and took occasion then to refer to some of the causes that had
prevented my compliance with the agreement I made with you. Those
causes are as prominent and as evident to-day as when I then wrote.
I have spared no exertions or expense to comply with my contract,
and shall not relax my exertions until you request me to do so. I
made the contract in good faith, and more to serve our cause than
profit. I will endeavor to comply with it. |
| I see others sending
cotton into the Federal lines almost daily. What they bring back I
do not know. Doubtless you do. Orders from Federal military
commanders have for several weeks prevented me from doing anything.
These orders, as I now understand, have been changed. Perhaps some
supplies may now be obtained. I confess I have been less successful
than I thought I should Be. A few days since I offered to supply
Major Paxton from 100 to 200 mules at from $150 to $200 each, and
receive pay in cotton at 12 1/2 cents, the prince, as I was
informed, that he sold to others for the same articles; 100 mules
were ready for delivery. He declined my offer, doubtless for good
reasons, and seemed to expect me to deliver mules and take pay in
cotton at 35 cents, my contract price. This I shall not attempt to
do when he pays others in cotton at a much less price. I am no
blockade-runner, and will not knowingly violate civil law or
military orders for gain. Others may and are doing so. I have
thought you were entitled to some explanation as to the cause of my
failure. I could give many others than those referred to, but they
would be founded on belief only. |
| With respect, your obedient
servant |
| W. Goodman |
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