I beg you to recommend the case to the favorable consideration of the
proper authority, and to inform me of the view taken of it by the
government of the United States.
Messrs. McDonald Brothers also represent that their business will render
it important for them to visit Memphis, in Tennessee, from time to time,
and that they fear that the recent order issued by the military
authority at Memphis will interfere with their doing so. I should be
very glad to be enabled by you to assure them that there are no grounds
for this fear.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most
obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
&c., &c., &c.
McDonald Brothers to Lord Lyons.
May it please your Lordship: We, the
undersigned, of the city of Montreal, Canada, British subjects, take
the liberty of drawing your lordship’s attention to the enclosed
General Order, No. 18, issued by Major General C. C. Washburn, for
the district of West Tennessee.
In March last, and subsequently, we obtained from the United States
customhouse, under the Treasury regulations respecting trade with
the insurrectionary parts of the country, permits to buy there and
ship from those parts some 4,000 bales of cotton, and in pursuance
of said authority sold somewhat over two hundred and twenty thousand
dollars ($220,000) gold, and invested the proceeds, some three
hundred and forty-five thousand dollars ($345,000) United States
currency, in part payment of said cotton, and are liable for further
large sums to be paid. These purchases were made in the neighborhood
of the Mississippi river, but owing to the obstacles thrown in the
way of the navigation of that river by the forces of the insurgents
we were afraid to attempt the removal of the cotton. While waiting
for this temporary difficulty to pass away, we have learned that a
new law has been enacted by Congress that does away with all
previous legislation on this point. This repeal of our permits for
the payment of the excise under which we have given to the United
States Treasury bonds and sureties for the
sum of $120,000, and having invested so much money as hereinbefore
mentioned upon the faith of these permits, places us in a very
embarrassing position. Besides, in regard to this matter, we had
considered as certain and reliable the open declaration of his
excellency the honorable William H. Seward, that the Mississippi
river from its source to the tide-waters of the Atlantic was open to
the commerce of the world, of course under Treasury regulations.
This declaration was made after the fall of Vicksburg.
It is very unpleasant to have to ask your lordship to trouble the
United States authorities upon a private matter of this kind; but we
are in a serious dilemma. The amount is considerable, and further
large obligations have been incurred that have to be met, and yet we
are now debarred from the privileges of getting our cotton to market
under previous permits.
We cannot think that the United States authorities contemplated an
abrogation of rights under documents they had already granted, and
trust that upon the representation of your lordship they will issue
to us such documents as will permit these purchases to be brought to
market.
A number of persons, citizens of the United States, and otherwise as
the case may be, will become entirely bankrupt by this cancellation
of permits, because the United States Treasury Department being
expected under the new law to become the only dealer in cotton upon
the Mississippi river, the insurgents have, as we learn by recent
intelligence, recommenced their system of burning cotton to prevent
the United States Treasury agents from obtaining it by purchase from
the owners. This practice has not as yet been recommenced in the
neighborhood of where ours is situated, but it is difficult to say
at what moment the torch may be applied to it.
In view of this danger, and the fact that after the swamps fill with
water in the autumn transportation will be impracticable, we ask
your lordship to use your influence for us at the earliest
moment.
With reference to the order of General Washburn, not being residents
of Memphis, it might not seem to touch our case; but we fear that no
one, foreigner or otherwise, will now be permitted to go into the
city or depart from it without mustering into service.
The frequent necessity for travelling upon the river, in connexion
with the above business, will combel us often to visit Memphis.
[Page 666]
If the Secretary of War should instruct General Washburn that that
order should at most only apply to such foreigners as are permanent
residents of Memphis it would meet our case.
We have, &c., &c.,
Lord Lyons, &c.,
&c., &c.
