CSA Congressman, William Porcher Miles, ALS Clarifying CS Government's Role in Blockade Running & Status of the Confederacy 

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Jun 13, 2014 - Jun 14, 2014

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• Lot Description
  8pp, 5 x 8 in. Richmond, 24 April, 1864. Postscripts written is "crisscross" fashion. Separate sheet with "Send copy of so much of this letter as refers to State vessels to Mr. Furman. By order of Govr."
  
  This letter to South Carolina Governor Milledge Luke Bonham (Gov. Dec. 1862 - Dec. 1864) in which Miles relates information about the shipment of cotton for the Confederacy, and related issues.
  
  I have seen Mr. [James] Seddon [Confederate Secretary of War] and Mr. [Christopher] Memminger [Confederate Secretary of the Treasury] ... The latter has the exclusive management of the buying and selling abroad of all Govt. cotton. The Secretary of War has charge of this transportation (over the R.R.'s etc.) to the port of shipment and the loading of vessels with it. The Sec. of the Navy had charge of its conveyance across the water and delivery abroad - appointing or assigning officers to command all Govt. ships etc. All of this you knew before. The Prest. has decided that all vessels whether owned wholly and exclusively or partially by States, or by corporations or by private individuals must take out one half of the cargo for the Govt. so that there will be no discrimination between State vessels and any other vessels. The argument as given me by Mr. Memminger, for this uniform rule, without any discrimination in favor of the States, as first contemplated, is this - that it was becoming obvious that in a very little while, by some management or arrangement, all the vessels would appear to be State Vessels and the consequences would be that the Confederate Govt. would hardly be able to get a share in any cargo and that until it could procure a considerable number of vessels of its own (a work of time) it would be deprived of the benefit of the law made especially for its necessities abroad and its interests at home.
  
  He goes on to address the issue of State cotton sales, which apparently have also been taking a share or taxing cotton sales for their own coffers.
  
  In a section marked "private" the information is not so much "secret" as "personal." He notes that he hoped to visit Charleston, but his wife had been ill and he could not get away. He also conveys his own opinions (hopes?) about the war situation.
  
  The prospect is brighter now than it has been since the beginning of the War. Our armies stronger and better - the enemy's weaker and worse - than they have been for a year past. Gold steadily rising beyond the reach of Mr. Chase's manipulations. The enemy have been foiled in every attempt this year. We have gained brilliant and important successes. Discontent and intrigues for the Presidency are weakening and distracting the Northern People - the jealousy of the North West of New England is becoming more and more pronounced - and (or most significant sign) of 'free speech' begins to be heard and to assert itself with manliness in the Yankee Congress.
  
  One of the "crisscross" sections notes the phenomenal inflation in the Confederacy. Living here is frightfully high. Beef $5 to $6 - Flour $300 a barrel, chickens $12 to $20 apiece, eggs $7 a dozen, butter $10 to $15 a pound etc. etc. etc. Hence the importance of removing mouths of non-combatants but any notion of moving the Government (as has been hinted in some papers) from Richmond has never been for a moment thought of. I believe Richmond has never been more secure than it is now.
  
  In yet another postscript: I don't think a battle between Lee and Grant can now be much longer delayed and Lee will most certainly whip him - you may rely on that.
  
  William Porcher Miles is one of the more interesting secessionists. A South Carolina native, he studied law but had no intention of becoming involved in politics. But involved he was. He actually began with a humanitarian venture - volunteering as a nurse in Virginia during a yellow fever epidemic. His service caught the attention of Charlestonians and resulted in his election as mayor without much campaigning (one speech). His success during his single term encouraged further public office seeking.
  
  He became a hard-line Southerner, and one of the so-called "Fire-Eaters." A man of contradictions, while mayor he had created a corrections facility for juveniles, an almshouse, orphanage and asylum. He even provided for poor whites and free blacks. Yet he opposed northern interference with slavery and many times called for secession and war instead of compromise.He even went so far as to maintain that liberty was an "Acquired Privilege," not a birthright. He saw Jeffersonian principles, especially natural equality, as "monstrous and dangerous," and maintained that "Men are born neither Free nor Equal." 

  Condition

  Light toning with darker areas along folds.
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