Order Concerning James Harrison1Jump to section
Washington, December 23, 1864.
All Military and Naval commanders will please give to James Harrison, Esq. of St. Louis, Missouri, (with any number of2Jump to section SteamBoats not exceeding three, taking in tow any number of barges, scows, flats, and the like, not having steam power, which they may be able to so take, with3Jump to section such goods & money, as the Treasury agents may grant permits for under the rules of the Dept. and none other, and only with crews to navigate the whole, and necessary provisions for himself and said crews,) protection and safe conduct from New-Orleans4Jump to section or Memphis to Red River, and up said river and its tributaries, till he shall pass beyond our Military lines, and also give him such protection and safe conduct on his return to our lines, back to New-Orleans5Jump to section or Memphis, with any cargoes he may bring; and on his safe return from beyond our lines, with said boats and tows, allow him to repeat once or twice if he shall desire.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Annotation
[1] DfS, DLC-RTL. The signed draft includes corrections in Lincoln's autograph as noted. Accompanying the draft is Harrison's signed pledge, also with corrections by Lincoln:
``Washington, D.C. December 23, 1864.
``In consideration that the President of the United States today delivers to me a paper of which the within is a copy, I pledge him my word of honor that whatever I may do thereunder shall be at my own expense and risk of person and property, with no claim upon him or upon the government in any contingency whatever; that I will take absolutely nothing into the insurgent lines, which could be of value to them, except the boats, tows, goods money and provisions as stated; and that I will not take said boats, tows, and other matters stated, [Lincoln amended ``provisions'' to ``other matters stated''] or any of them, into said insurgent lines, unless I shall first have the personal pledge of Gen. Kirby Smith, or the officer in chief command, given directly by him to me, that said boats and tows shall without condition, safely return to our Military lines.
``JAS HARRISON''
[2] Lincoln deleted ``inferior'' at this point.
[3] Lincoln revised to the present reading from ``without money, and without cargoes outgoing, and only with crews. . . .''
[4] Lincoln deleted ``Cairo'' and inserted ``New-Orleans or Memphis.''
[5] See note 4.