Annotation
[1] ADfS, DLC-RTL. See Lincoln's letters to Thomas, February 28, and to Lewis, Field and Clay, January 23, supra. On March 30, Lorenzo Thomas wrote Lincoln as follows:
``A short time since Mr A. Lewis presented a letter from you to me at Vicksburg introducing him as a capable person to facilitate me in my operations regarding the plantation system, as carried on in this region of country I conferred with Mr Lewis at length and assured him that any arrangement that he and Mr [William P.] Mellen, the Supervising agent might make to carry out the views of the Administration would be sustained by me. With this understanding Mr Lewis proceeded up the river to confer with Mr Mellen. To-day I received a second visit from Mr Lewis, and also a communication from Mr. Mellen. From the letter I understand that Mr Lewis has promised to insure planters owning their own estates protection, but that he proposes to tax each of them five per cent on the crops raised by them in consideration of such protection being given, and for his services in consideration therewith.
``My plan is to encourage all to cultivate their estates, and to afford protection as far as it can properly be given, they working under the system adopted; and I cannot admit the policy of their paying for any protection given, to any individual, and therefore I cannot sanction Mr Lewis' plan Indeed I desire no assistance outside of the Treasury Agents, and the Military authorities now charged with the work. It seems to me that Mr Lewis' plan is a selfish one, having his own interest at stake, and I can hardly suppose he fully explained his views to you'' (DLC-RTL).
On April 13, John Hay wrote Thomas:
``The President directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 30th March, and to state in reply that Mr Lewis has no authorization from him for any such purpose as you mention. He gave to Mr Lewis a letter introducing him to you, at the request of some very respectable gentlemen from Kentucky, and here his responsibility for Mr Lewis terminated.
``The President does not wish you to be hampered in the execution of your duties by any consideration of the letter given by himself to Mr. Lewis.''(Ibid.)