We may also add that very many worthy union people on each side are looking to the granting of this as the only hope of relieving them from want.
``We may briefly say the request is that you, with whom the power is placed, will grant to Geo. B. Waldron---Crafts J. Wright & Charles K Hawks a permit.
``1st. To receive from persons beyond the lines of our actual military occupation---such cotton---sugar---other stores as parties beyond our lines may desire to consign to us, to be conveyed & sold within our lines on the terms & according to the rules of the Treasury Department.
``2d. That the proceeds of sales, less the government dues & current expenses, shall be invested in the securities of the Government.
``3d. That such an amount of said securities purchased as aforesaid shall be deposited with some officer of the Treasury Department, until the consignee shall prove his loyalty by taking the oath according to the recent proclamation. . . .
``On recommendation of Gen Banks---Gen Shepley---& others we have come from New Orleans to the city to answer any questions as well as to satisfy you of our loyalty. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).
Enclosed with their letter was the following document, signed by John Hutchins, George S. Dension, William H. Higgins and B. Rush Plumly, approved by Benjamin F. Flanders, ``provided the holders of the Bonds shall deposit fifty per centum thereof with the Treasurer of the United States until the close of the war:''
``The undersigned are advised that a large number of persons are within the Rebel lines who have cotton---sugar and other stores---which they have been and are concealing from the Rebel authorities as confiscable property. That these parties are anxious to place these supplies within the United States Military lines---not only as a place of safety, but to secure for their families a means of support and a means of satisfying their debts to Loyal Union citizens. Many of these parties desire to leave the so-called Confederacy so soon as they can place their property on which they depend---on a place of safety.
``They do not ask to have the proceeds of their property returned in supplies---but are willing to invest the net proceeds---less the current Government dues and the expenses attending the getting to market and selling---in United States Bonds.
``They have designated George B. Waldron of New York---Crafts J. Wright of Cincinnati and Charles K. Hawkes of New York as Loyal Union citizens to whom they will consign their property and who shall invest the proceeds as above---and in whom they and the Government can confide. . . .
``We therefore urgently recommend that the authority be given to the above named . . . to receive from within the Rebel lines at such points as may be designated---such cotton sugar, and other stores, as it may be desired to convey within the United States Military lines for sale---and to invest the proceeds---less the expenses---in Government securities, that protection be afforded by the military and naval authorities---unless there be imperative military objections at the time.'' (Ibid.).
On January 8, Wright and Hawkes replied to Lincoln's questions:
``Before proceeding to reply specifically to the several questions which you have put to us, we deem it proper, to a better understanding of the difficulties now in the way of the increase of Union people & the protection of Union property, to make, with your permission, a preliminary observation statement. . . .
[Question 1:]
``1st. If he has not previously bribed the pickets, they would siese and confiscate it. . . .
``2d. Not having a permit previously obtained it would be, by officers of the Treasury Dept, at once seised & confiscated. . . .
``3d. The Rebel would be seperated from his property---arrested---& confined,