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To William Kellogg1Jump to section
My dear Sir: Washington, June 29. 1863.
I have received, and read, your pencil note. I think you do not know how embarrassing your request is. Few things are so troublesome to the government as the fierceness with which the profits of trading in cotten are sought. The temptation is so great that nearly every body wishes to be in it; and when in, the question of profit controls all, regardless of whether the cotten seller is loyal or rebel, or whether he is paid in corn-meal or gun-powder. The officers of the army, in numerous instances, are believed to connive and share the profits, and thus the army itself is diverted from fighting the rebels to speculating in cotten; and steam-boats and wagons in the pay of the government, are set to gathering and carrying cotten, and the soldiers to loading cotten-trains and guarding them.
The matter deeply affects the Treasury and War Departments, and has been discussed again and again in the cabinet. What can, and what can not be done, has, for the time been settled, and it seems to me I can not safely break over it. I know it is thought that one case is not much, but how can I favor one and deny another. One case can not be kept a secret. The authority given would be utterly ineffectual until it is shown; and when shown, every body knows of it. The administration would do for you as much as for any other man; and I personally would do some more than for most others; but really I can not involve myself and the Government as this would do. Yours as ever A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ADfS, DLC-RTL. See Lincoln to Chase, June 25, supra. Kellogg's note of June 29 is as follows:
``The reply of Mr. Chase to me on reading your note and hearing my proposition was `It can not be done Sir' an iceburg would be as a furnace compared to your Sec of the Treasury.
``Mr. Lincoln---I very much desire that Mr. A[mos] C Babcock be permitted to take to and sell ordinary articles of commerce at Helena, Arkansas---not `contraband of war' and to buy of loyal men cotton & other productions---at that place and Fryers Point Miss. & transport northward. If in your judgment there is nothing wrong in this I do think the administration should grant me this much
``I do not know of any consideration that would induce me again to ask a favour of Mr Chase. If I can not get this of the Commander in Chief---of the armies---I can not get it at all I dislike to trouble you but will ask you to consider the matter. . . .
``If this can not be done, will the govt. permit certain persons loyal men who have raised and own cotton who may be named to ship themselves their cotton to St Louis or other points. This would answer my purpose'' (DLC-RTL).
A later but undated note, also in pencil, is as follows: ``I sent you a note by Mr Nicolay. Will you say whether any thing can be done, if I can not see you please write your answer on a card so that I can get it from your attendant at 4 oclock. . . .'' (Ibid.).