Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 4 [Mar. 5, 1860-Oct. 24, 1861].

Executive, Mansion Sep. 7. 1861.

This day Philip L. Fox, of Philadelphia, is introduced to me by Friend Newton,2Open page and says that within this week, in this City, Gilead Smith, who Mr. Fox says is to sail from New-York next wednesday, as a government agent to purchase arms in Europe, called on him (Fox) and, in presence of two others, F. N. Buck, and Martin Thomas, both of Philda., spoke of arms which Mr. Fox knew of for sale, and asked Fox what would be the price, and being told $15-17-& 19- proposed to join in purchasing them and putting them on the government at $22. to $27. and dividing the profits. Mr. Buck introduced Smith to Mr. Fox. Mr. Fox says he replied that he was not a seller, and desired having no more to do with the matter than to let the government know where the arms were to be purchased. Mr. Buck and Mr. Thomas call and say they heard a conversation with Smith & Fox---that Fox was trying to sell a lot of arms upon the sale of which he, Fox, was to have a commission of 50 cents per gun---that Smith and not, as they understood, represent himself to an agent of the government; but did propose to Fox to join him in getting the guns on to the government

at a price which leave a profit for them to divide, & they understood Fox to agree to it. Neither Smith nor Fox professing to be a government agent---nothing appeared wrong in their conversation. Both are men of good character & Smith is brother-in-law to John Edgar Thompson.