New Orleans, February 4th, 1863.
Dear Sir: Your
letter of the 19th. Jan. is just received. The steamer is about to leave and I
have time to reply only partially and in haste. You wish me to be “Sp. Agt. and
Acting Surveyor”, or “Commissioner of Internal Revenue.” Please put me in the
place where you want me most, and where I can be most useful to you. I shall
write more fully by next mail.
I wish to call your attention to the importance of Special
Agent in reference to Regulations of August 28th. If you make me Sp. Agt. and
Acting Surveyor, I should think all that business had better be managed and
controlled by me, as I am familiar with it, having devoted much attention to it
— and as my system is the only one, whereby, without benefit to the enemy, the
wants of the country can be supplied. I know nothing of the character of the
second office mentioned by you, and shall defer speaking of it until the next
mail. I cannot refrain from asking that no general change be made in the
subordinate officers, to make places for the New Collector's friends. Those
selected by me, and now holding the important positions, accepted office when
it was not pleasant or very desirable — and are skilled, honest, efficient and
of tried loyalty. Some of them relinquished good places in New York, and came
here at your request. Mr. Gray the D'y. Collector, who is brother in law of Mr.
Godwin of the Evening Post, is one of these.
I think it the duty of the Government to see that these men
be not dismissed without cause.
By the next armed transport for New York, I shall forward
what specie is in my hands.
Mr. Walton (New City Treasurer) of whom Mr. Flanders spoke
to you, is an excellent man for any place.
To whatever place you assign me, I ought to have an
opportunity for a few days or weeks of conferring with Mr. Bullitt, that he may
be informed concerning the thousand details peculiar to this position, which
otherwise he will be months in learning.
I thank you again and again for the kind expression of your
approval. This alone repays any amount of labor and effort.
A great military movement commences shortly — in three or
four days perhaps. An advance will be made up the Teche with a large force, and
right through to Red River. I know no more of it than this. Port Hudson will
not be troubled, as this movement is on the west side of the Mississippi. This
comes direct from Gen. Banks.
As I have to settle up, please let me know what my
compensation is that no mistake may occur. Twenty words will inform me, and I
never yet knew.
Pardon the imperfect manner in which I am obliged to write.
SOURCE: Diary and correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, Annual
Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol.
2, p. 354-5
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