Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part I

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It seems that previous to the departure of Mr. George N. Sanders for Europe certain legislation of the confederate congress, which had been proposed in the matter of contracting for the construction of iron-clad ships in Europe, encountered the opposition of that gentleman. The following memorandum from him on this subject is found among the intercepted papers. Addressed to “Reid Sanders,” it was probably placed by the latter in the hands of Mr. Memminger or Mr. Mallory, respectively, the secretaries of the confederate treasury and navy:

Richmond, August 5, 1862.

Any legislation in regard to the construction of iron-clad steamers until time is given me to get mine under way will be very unjust. My detention here was necessary to the perfection of the contracts, which took much time and reflection. The final instructions of the Navy Department have been issued but a few days. Bunglers entering the European market might endanger the entire scheme. Great skill and diplomacy must be exercised to avoid the interference of European governments.

No one is entitled to my suggestions until full time is given me to carry them out.

GEORGE N. SANDERS.

Reid Sanders.

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To this is added by Sanders the following list of names, consisting of persons connected with the confederate administration and congress. Several of the names, it will be seen, have a cross prefixed to them, intimating probably that they already favored his views, or needed to be still further approached on the subject. This supposition is, however, purely conjectural. The list is as follows, in G. N. Sanders’s handwriting:

President Davis, Vice-President Stephens,		Secretary Mallory, P. M. G. Reagan,
†Simms,	†Breckinridge,	Boyce,
Burnett,	†Conrad,	†Garnett,
Hunter,	Elliot,	Miles,
Henry,	†Read,	Wright, of Tenn.,
†Brown, of Miss.,	Matchen,	Haskin,
†Orr,	Bruce,	Lyons,
Johnson,	Cooke,	†Foote,
Wigfall,	†Bocock,	†Pugh.
†Clarke,

The following unsigned letter is also found among the captured papers:

Sir: As I contemplate leaving here without loss of time for Europe, for the purpose of rendering important and valuable service to the confederacy, I deem it proper to recommend to you the necessity of my having the co-operation of Commodore Forrest in the plans which have been suggested to you. He is an officer of experience, and well qualified to lend important assistance which may result in the complete realization of my hopes and expectations; indeed, if Commander Sinclair could also accompany me, or be sent out to give his attention to matters connected with the plans I have in contemplation, I am satisfied that with the professional knowledge of these gentlemen we cannot fail to subserve our interests and render high and important service to our cause, both in superintending and constructing the vessels built to cut up the enemy’s commerce.

I have the honor.

Hon. S. R. Mallory, Secretary of the Navy.

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The following memorandum appears to be in the same handwriting with the above letter, though much disguised or very carelessly written:

Gabreath & Co., of Scotland, and W. S. Lindsay & Co., of London, are the houses with whom I had the negotiation about the steamers. I request Captain Sinclair, of the confederate navy, to make all preliminary arrangement for the contract by my return. (See him first,) he will meet you in London.

George Thompson & Co., Glasgow, will make proposals for the construction of at least one steamer. They have the drawing and estimates complete.

Lindsay & Co. will negotiate the naval store bonds.

B. Rice & Co. may undertake enough to load one vessel (Nova Scotia) with shoes and clothing under the North Carolina contract. Turpentine 100 should bring per gallon $2, rosin should bring $5 $4 bring $8.