New Orleans, July 19th, 1862.
Dear Sir: I venture to
refer to the name of J. L. Riddell (formerly Confederate Postmaster) because he
is, or is to be, an applicant for the office of Assistant Treasurer. Though he
now pretends to be a Union man, I believe him to be unworthy of your
confidence. I can give you full information about him if you desire it.
Mr. Gray, Deputy
Collector, who has been in the New York Custom House more than twenty years,
says that more questions and more difficult to' be decided, arise here in a
week, than in the New York Custom House during a whole year. This is partly
owing to the disturbed condition of the country, and partly to the fact that we
avoid the former loose and corrupt manner of doing business. The necessity of
immediate decision of many of these questions, obliges me, being at so great a
distance from Washington, to assume great responsibility. Almost everything,
even most of the furniture, belonging to the Custom House, was destroyed —
except the building, which was in a dilapidated state. I was compelled to employ
considerable labor to make it habitable. I have discovered and seized rebel
boats and launches and repaired them — had the Iron safes drilled, opened and
repaired—obtained furniture—preserved and arranged all the old books and
papers, and done many other necessary things, so that now we begin to work
effectively.
Except salaries of
appointed officers, all expenses have, as yet, been paid from the fees of the
office — for, of course, money received for duties remains untouched. Hence you
see strict economy is practiced. I intend every Government employee in this
Custom House shall earn his wages.
No expenses have
been, or shall be incurred except such as are absolutely necessary for the
thorough establishment of the Custom House, and protection of the Revenue
Service.
The whole amount of
money collected for duties, is Seventy-Six Thousand Nine Hundred and four
85/100 Dollars ($76,904-85/100) — See my official report of this date. This
amount is now in my hands and subject to your order. All the safes are
repaired, and the money is perfectly safe, unless the army should be driven out
by the Rebels, which is impossible.
The City never was
more healthy, and as yet there is no danger of the Yellow Fever.
I do not think the
military rule here or elsewhere, is severe enough. It ought to be more
dangerous to be a secessionist than to be a loyal citizen, which is not the
case here. We should adopt toward rebels, measures as severe as they adopt
toward Union men. A real secessionist cannot be conciliated. I begin to incline
to the opinion that the Abolition of Slavery is necessary, as a means of
terminating the war. The South has persistently forced this issue upon the
Government, and perhaps it must soon be accepted.
SOURCE: Diary
and correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, Annual Report of the
American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol. 2, p.
309-10
