USA > New York > New York City > The Union defence committee of the city of New York. Minutes, reports, and correspondence; with an historical introduction > Part 14
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All of which is respectfully submitted.
SAMUEL SLOAN, Chairman.
R. M. BLATCHFORD, CHARLES H. RUSSELL, .
A. A. Low,
A. C. RICHARDS,
J. J. ASTOR, R. H. MCCURDY, S. DRAPER.
Report of Special Committee to Washington
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NEW YORK, June 8, 1861.
Mr. Sloan reported verbally that the deputation appointed on the 4th instant to visit Washington had waited upon the President, and that the interview had been an agreeable one. At the request of the President the deputation had made some suggestions on the general management of the New York regiments, etc., which were favorably received by him, and are as follows :
Memorandum of suggestions in respect to the New York State troops, presented at the request of the President of the United States.
1st. They are in immediate want of additional clothing.
2d. Experienced cooks are highly necessary for the comfort and health of the troops. Statistics proving the great value of proper arrangements in this respect are doubtless before the Government.
3d. A great deficiency exists in the medical and surgical depart-
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ment, and some definite arrangement should be made to complete the necessary supply.
4th. Tents, wagons, ambulances, etc., are greatly needed by some of the regiments, and should be furnished by either the State or United States Government.
5th. Provision should be made for the free and prompt trans- portation of articles of clothing, equipments, etc., from New York to the camps. Letters should be forwarded under the frank of an appointed officer of each regiment.
6th. For the relief of the necessities of the families of the troops it is desirable some public assurance, by advertisement in the news- papers or some other way, should be made by Government, that the pay of all obligations to officers and men may be relied upon at stated periods, naming the places and time of payment.
7th. Notwithstanding a considerable supply of arms remains un- appropriated in the armories of the United States, great difficulty exists in obtaining their prompt delivery, and some directions or arrangements are recommended by which they may be obtained through the Governor of the State, or some other source, without delay, in case they should be wanted in an emergency.
In view of the fact that a large number of the troops called into service for three months will soon return to their homes, it seems of great importance that such arrangements should be made for their comfort as shall prevent the moral effect of their return being prejudicial to the interests of the country and discouraging to the future enlistment of troops in case such enlistment should be required.
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CORRESPONDENCE
SELECTIONS
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CORRESPONDENCE
SATURDAY EVENING, April 20, 1861.
MY DEAR GENERAL :
I am extremely obliged by the liberal response of the Committee of Merchants, and will avail myself of their kind proposal for further aid.
I will, on Monday morning, make some further appeals on behalf of two other regiments I have ordered to embark on Tuesday, and in the mean time will ascertain the extent of their wants.
I am, very truly, Your obedient servant,
CHARLES W. SANDFORD.
P. M. WETMORE, EsQ., Secretary.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Executive Department
COUNCIL CHAMBER, BOSTON, April 22, 1861.
WM. M. EVARTS, EsQ.,
New York :
We decided last Saturday to send F. B. Crowninshield to Europe in the Persia. He expects to be at the St. Nicholas, Tuesday P.M., certainly by Wednesday morning.
We shall authorize $250,000 worth of arms to be bought by him. He will co-operate with you. Ever yours, J. A. ANDREW.
.
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ARMS FOR KENTUCKY
Whereas the State of Kentucky (though strongly conservative and Union in sentiment by at least three-fourths of her people) is in great danger of being precipitated into secession by the action of her Executive authorities; the Governor having command of the militia, who have all the arms of the State, and he being under the control of John C. Breckenridge, and the said Governor and Breckenridge with other prominent secessionists having had secret conferences for several days in the city of Louisville; and the Governor having made application to the banks of the said city for a loan of 8500,000 for the avowed purpose of arming the State, it is believed by many good and Union-loving citizens that this money and these arms are wanted and would be used by him for the pur- pose of effecting the secession of this State from the Union by over- awing the people who have no arms ; and many of the good and Union citizens of Louisville are now being formed into companies for protection against the disunionists. It is believed that if one thousand of them could be effectively armed they could stay and put a stop to secession, and prevent anarchy and civil war in our State. E. T. BAINBRIDGE.
April 22, 1861.
STATE OF KENTUCKY,
City of Louisville.
E. T. Bainbridge, an old and respectable citizen of Louisville, appeared before the undersigned, Mayor of the city of Louisville, and made oath that he believed the statements made above were true, and I myself fully concur with him. In testimony whereof I have affixed the seal of said city. T. H. CRAWFORD, Mayor.
My acquaintance with Mr. Edmund T. Bainbridge is of nearly thirty years' standing. He is a gentleman of wealth and high social position, and as true and devoted to the Union as any man living.
GEORGE D. PRENTICE, Editor Louisville Journal.
April 22, 1861.
We, the subscribers, hereby certify that we have long personally known the bearer, Mr. Edmund T. Bainbridge, and therefore identify him as being the person named in the annexed paper.
JOHN H. SWIFT. ARCHD. T. FINN. LEVI A. DOWLEY.
NEW YORK, 27th April, 1861.
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LOUISVILLE, April 23d, 1861.
I have known Mr. E. T. Bainbridge of this city for many years as a merchant and gentleman of good standing and high character, and to be a decided Union man, and I have every reason to believe he remains firm and decided in his principles.
JAMES GUTHRIE.
NEW YORK, April 27, 1861.
GENERAL DIX.
DEAR SIR :
Can you let me have one-half (say 750) of the Hall's breech- loading rifles with bayonets purchased from Syms & Bro. by Mr. Blunt ?
Yours very respectfully, E. T. BAINBRIDGE.
UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, OFFICE NO. 30 PINE ST., NEW YORK, April 30th, 1861.
Confidential.
To -_
NEW ALBANY, INDIANA.
DEAR SIR :
Mr. E. T. Bainbridge has purchased and shipped to your care, with the consent of this Committee, a number of arms for the use of the city of Louisville. This consent on the part of the Com- mittee has been obtained by the representations of said Bainbridge that he wanted said arms for the use of the Union men of Louis- ville, and by representing that he felt confident that they the said Union men of said city could prevent the secession of Kentucky with said arms, and he has agreed with said Committee that should Kentucky secede before the reception of said arms, or that they are likely to fall into the hands of the enemies of the Union, you are to retain the same subject to my order.
Respectfully yours, JOHN A. DIX, Chairman.
UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE, 30 April, 1861.
Confidential. MR. JOHN W. DIX. SIR :
Proceed to New Albany and deliver the letter of introduction to Walton Mann, Esq. Ask him to consult confidentially with one
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other reliable man in New Albany. The Union Defence Committee send on to the care of A. S. Burnet 800 stand of arms with ammu- nition for Mr. E. T. Bainbridge of Louisville, to be used to sustain the Union against the secessionists of Kentucky. The Committee have paid for them, and Mr. B. is to refund the money. We do not know Mr. Burnet, but have written the Mayor, whose name we do not know. We are willing to trust Mr. Bainbridge for the money. All we want to know is that the arms are to be used as suggested. Mr. Bainbridge brought us the most reliable testimonials.
Let Mr. Mann see all the papers. Mr. Bainbridge had better be asked come to New Albany. Take his note for $11,470 as per accompanying memorandum, and if he desires it the note can be left with Mr. Mann till the arms are delivered.
Respectfully yours, JOHN A. DIX, Chairman.
:
NEW ALBANY, INDIANA, May 3, 1861.
HON. JOHN A. DIX,
Chairman, etc., N. Y.
SIR :
I arrived here last night. This morning I delivered my letter to Mr. Mann, who said, after he had looked over the other papers, "he did not like the looks of things." I then went with him to see a Mr. Brown, a prominent man here, and "entre nous" a particular friend of the Governor of Indiana. Mr. B. said at once that no goods should be allowed to pass through or even arrive at New Albany. Although not doubting the good faith of Mr. Bain- bridge or his entire devotion to the cause of the Union, Mr. Brown argued that it would be exceedingly imprudent to store the articles in question at this place ; that in case Kentucky should remain with us she would need no supplies until they could be furnished by the Government ; that in the event of her going out her Union men would be obliged to go with her, and nine-tenths of the supplies would be turned against the supporters of the Federal Government on this side of the river. In this view of the case Mr. Brown was fully sustained by Mr. Crawford, an elderly gentleman, a lawyer, and Judge Otto, a distinguished jurist of this city, as well as by Mr. Culbertson, a merchant. Mr. B. then introduced me to the Mayor, A. S. Burnet (an old friend of yours), who said that he had heard of this movement for the first time last night from Mr. Bain- bridge himself, who had just returned, but that as the supplies were to be sent to his care he would store them, and deliver them to
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Mr. Bainbridge when the proper time came ; but the Mayor was evidently much annoyed, and mentioned that he did not recommend Mr. Bainbridge to the Union Defence Committee, which does not agree precisely with what you stated to me.
(An hour later.) The upshot of the matter is this, the citizens of New Albany have controlled the Mayor. He will, therefore, not allow the goods to come here. He has sent for Mr. Bain- bridge and will tell him so. I telegraphed you this A.M. "Ship no more." If any goods arrive here they will be shipped back to New York. If the railroad wants the freight paid here it will be done, and a draft made on you. I shall stop all the other goods at the furthest point East from here, at Cincinnati, or if possible Cleveland. Tell Mr. Sloan to recall the cases sent. I telegraphed you so in my second dispatch. The Mayor has written the follow- ing letter :
" MR. J. DIx : I have been informed that certain guns have been shipped to my care for E. T. B. I take this opportunity to say that the shipment was made without my authority or consent. A. S. BURNET, Mayor."
I have also a letter from several prominent men here protesting against the shipment of guns, etc., through New Albany.
Telegraph me at the Burnet House, Cincinnati, and let me know where the goods are. Mr. Sloan I suppose though can take care of them now. (I shall come home as soon as I can.)
Very respectfully, etc., JOHN W. DIX.
Mr. Bainbridge was sick and could not come over.
NEW YORK, AT THE HOTEL, 24th April, 1861.
MY DEAR COLONEL :
It is a happy thought that your military experience and tried patriotism should be enlisted at once at the head of a brigade.
I doubt not your men would be enkindled like yourself to do great things. Pray persevere. But I am sure of you. Others, everybody must help. God bless you and our Country ! Ever yours, CHARLES SUMNER.
THE HON. E. D. BAKER,
Senator of the United States.
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UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, OFFICE NO. 30 PINE ST., NEW YORK, May 1, 1861.
DEAR SIR :
Your letter of 30 ulto. is at hand.
We have evidently been misled in regard to the Speedwell.
The Peerless is undoubtedly a desirable vessel for us to secure.
Will you either write or telegraph the best terms that can be obtained.
Respectfully yours, S. DRAPER, Chairman Ex. Com. U. D. C.
J. M. FORBES, EsQ.
UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, OFFICE NO. 30 PINE ST., NEW YORK, May 2d, 1861.
MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL,
U. S. Army.
DEAR SIR :
The Union Defence Committee, deeply sensible of the advantage they have derived from your valuable counsel and hearty co-opera- tion in the discharge of their onerous duties, are desirous of express- ing to you in person their respect for your character as a citizen and their high appreciation of your distinguished services in the cause of your country.
The Committee have instructed us to ask of you the favor to meet them at dinner at the St. Nicholas on some day convenient to yourself before your departure from the city.
With cordial wishes that the Government may long continue to enjoy the benefit of your great experience and military sagacity,
We have the honor to remain, Respectfully and faithfully yours, S. DRAPER, Vice-Chairman, W. M. EVARTS, Secretary. '
ASTOR HOUSE, April 23.
DEAR SIR :
I understand General Wool is authorized to purchase arms, and will give the necessary order.
I will be happy to meet the Committee of twenty-six at any time and place they may name, and desire to meet them to-day.
Yours truly, H. HAMLIN.
S. DRAPER, EsQ.
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OFFICE OF CLERE OF COMMON COUNCIL, NO. 8 CITY HALL, NEW YORK, April 25th, 1861.
GENTLEMEN :
At a meeting of the Board of Aldermen held this p.M., the follow- ing preamble and resolution were adopted :
Whereas, Numerous applications have been made to the mem- bers of this Board for information with reference to the provision to be made for the volunteers to be raised in this city, and
Whereas, The sum of one million dollars has been appropriated, for the purpose of procuring the necessary equipment and outfits of the military force of the city of New York, to be disbursed by the "Union Defence Committee of the City of New York," therefore
Resolved, That the " Union Defence Committee " aforesaid, be requested to communicate to the President of the Board of Alder- men, in writing, what provision, if any, they have made for recruit- ing, organizing, uniforming and equipping the several regiments of volunteers, now being formed and to be formed in this city, and when the uniforms, arms and equipments of said regiments will be ready, and also what portion of said sum of one million dollars is to be appropriated for the relief of the families of the volunteers ; and such other information as will acquaint the Common Council with the objects to which the said Committee have appropriated or in- tend to apply said moneys.
Anticipating an carly report from your Committee, the Board adjourned to meet to-morrow, 26th inst., at 5 o'clock P.M.
Yours truly,
D. T. VALENTINE, Clerk C. C.
TO THE HON. JOHN A. DIX, EsQ.,
Chairman Union Defence Committee.
NEW YORK, April 26, 1861.
GENTLEMEN :
I was waited upon last evening by Ex-Aldermen Chrystie and Denman of the 16th Ward, who informed me that they were part of a Sub-Committee appointed by a Committee of Citizens of the 16th Ward to collect money for the destitute families of those who liad volunteered for the war. They also informed me that they had entered upon this duty, when the appropriation by the Common Council, in part for this purpose, of one million dollars brought them to a stand. They then requested me to offer their services in co- operation with the Committee. I promised to call the attention of your Committee to this matter, and would suggest, as the duty of
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providing for the destitute families of volunteers has been imposed upon your Committee, that, wherever there is a local organization charged with this business, a sum of money should be placed in the hands of such organization for distribution. As I know it will be impossible for your Committee to attend to the details of such dis- tribution, or even to receive application for relief, I do not think that you could adopt a better plan than to transfer this duty to the Ward Committee which may be appointed, who will understand the wants to be supplied, and will adopt the most efficient and econom- ical way of applying them.
Yours in great haste, W. F. HAVEMEYER.
To HON. JOHN A. DIX,
Chairman Union Defence Com.
UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, OFFICE NO. 30 PINE STREET, NEW YORK, April 26, 1861.
GENTLEMEN: I am sure that the best way to look after the suffering of families of soldiers, requiring relief, is to charge the Board of Commissioners of Charity and Correction with the respon- sibility. That Commission can, by doubling their force, do up the business better than any other organization, and with less expense to the country.
The best way is to appropriate a certain sum of money to be held subject to their order for the purpose referred to, requiring an account in detail from them in return.
Yours, etc., S. DRAPER, Chairman. To Committee on Aid to Regiments.
NEW YORK, April 26, 1861.
HON. FERNANDO WOOD,
Mayor of the City of New York.
SIR: I have to acknowledge receipt to your commission this day, and to return you the thauks of this Committee for the generous proffer of the Governor's Room for the public service. Should circumstances require the acceptance of your offer the Committee will not hesitate to make the fact known to you.
The organization of the Committee for the discharge of its duties is now complete, and as soon as it can be published in a corrected , form copies will be sent to your office, and the Committee will ask your personal co-operation in their daily operations under the trust confided to them.
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The Committee desire to express the sense it entertains of the liberal spirit evinced by the city authorities in the existing emergency in public affairs.
I am, very respectfully, yours,
S. DRAPER, Chairman Ex. Com. P. M. WETMORE, Scerclary.
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NEW YORK, April 27, 1861.
SIR : I have come to aid the Government, and am going to Washington this p.M. I have two hundred and fifty Indians of my Nation, Chipways, who have requested me to proceed to Washing- ton and get authority.
Sir-I want 850 to get there. I have already expended 862 of my own money ; I go this P. M. Please answer.
G. COPWAY, Chief Chipway Nation. GENERAL J. A. DIX.
WESTERN VIRGINIA
NEW YORK, April 27, 1861.
MY DEAR SIR :
My appearance here from Washington at this time has been hastened by a great and important exigency bearing heavily upon the political future of Western Virginia. A movement of vast consequence is now being precipitated in that portion of Virginia west of the Alleghanies, which, if now rightly directed, will give to the nation a new State forever dedicated to freedom. What is now required to be done here is simply a slight pecuniary aid, with the active co-operation of the friends of the movement in Virginia and at the North.
The forces there are now being rallied for the purpose of forming a new State, and to cut themselves loose from the secessionists. It is a great enterprise, and you must aid in the movement all you can. I rely upon your accompanying me in person, that we mingle with the leading friends of the movement, and aid in giving such direction to the same, as our friends here shall consider con- clusive evidence that no fruitless victory shall have been achieved. Material aid is absolutely necessary ; about one thousand dollars is required immediately for the purpose of defraying necessary pre- liminary expenses, and a reserve fund of four thousand dollars to be arranged for.
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Gentlemen of well-known character and influential position will direct the disbursement of the funds, and not one dollar of the reserved fund will be called for until the .new State organization has been fairly accomplished.
Messrs. Carlisle, Dent, Jackson, Caldwell, Clements, and others of like force and character will direct the storm, the roaring of whose approach has already reached us here.
Messrs. Carlisle and Dent, both of the late Virginia Conven- tion, who barely escaped from Richmond with their lives, will draw for the reserved fund at the proper time, and every possible assurance will be given that they shall be juditiously and faithfully applied.
We will have two Senators and five Congressmen ready by the convening of Congress on 4th July next. The organization of the new State will contribute more aid and power to the Union, and render greater moral force to the administration than would the raising and equipping of twenty military regiments.
You will please attend to this matter immediately, the vast importance of which must strike your mind at once, as we must be ready to leave here by the middle of the ensuing week without fail.
There can be no enterprise of equal importance inaugurated just now on the American continent.
Very truly, your friend,
R. W. LATHAM.
JAMES MORSS, EsQ.
NEW YORK, April 27, 1861.
MY DEAR SIR :
I address you as one of the Committee of gentlemen who receive and distribute the Funds which may be collected for the benefit of the wives and children of absent soldiers.
I beg to offer my theatre for two nights, Friday and Saturday next, free of all charges, in which every member of my establishment will heartily join and give their gratuitous services.
The whole and entire benefits of the two nights as benefits for the Fund to be placed in hands of your Committee for the purposes intended.
I sincerely hope that they may prove important.
I meet my company on this subject to-night, and beg to know if my offer is accepted.
Yours very truly,
J. W. WALLACK.
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UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, OFFICE NO. 30 PINE ST., NEW YORK, April 29, 1861.
JAMES W. WALLACK, ESQ.
DEAR SIR :
Your obliging communication of 27th inst., addressed to Mr. Royal Phelps, has been transmitted by that gentleman to the Ex- ecutive Committee.
We perform a most agreeable duty in offering you the cordial thanks of the Committee for the generous proffer of your theatre and the services of the company connected with it for two nights in aid of the Citizens' Fund established for the benefit of the wives and children of absent soldiers.
This is but another added to the many evidences heretofore given to the public, of the liberal, patriotic and warm-hearted spirit which actuates the members of a profession that you have adorned through a long career of duty and honor.
It will afford us pleasure to act in any arrangements you may deem advisable for giving effect to your proposed performances on the evenings of Friday and Saturday.
With respectful regard, We remain faithfully yours, JOHN A. DIX, Chairman. S. DRAPER, Chairman, THEODORE DEHON, Treasurer.
P. M. WETMORE, Secretary.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, May 3, 1861.
GENTLEMEN :
Please find and furnish five thousand stands of arms to the Union men of Kentucky, care of Hon. John J. Crittenden, Hon. James Guthrie, and Joshua F. Speed, Esq., or either of them, with- out delay.
They will receive five thousand more from Pittsburgh, by order of the Government.
Judge Burton, of Kentucky, bears this.
Very truly yours, WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
The Union Defence Committee, R. M. BLATCHFORD, etc., etc.
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UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, OFFICE NO. 30 PINE STREET, NEW YORK, May 3, 1861.
SIR :
The blockading squadron should know that from positive infor- mation we learn that a heavy shipment of arms is now expected at the Ports of Mobile and New Orleans from Belgium, ordered in behalf of the States of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Georgia. They are not yet received, but are hourly expected, and are anxiously waited for by the Montgomery Government. There are fifty thousand stand in the contract alluded to. This information is positive.
S. DRAPER, Chairman.
HON. WM. II. SEWARD,
Secretary of State.
P. S .- The Governor of this State telegraphs Judge Advocate Walcott, of Ohio, acting for the Governor of Ohio (Dennison), that the Canadian Government refuses to supply arms to the States. He desires us to ascertain whether the National Government will not make an application in behalf of Ohio. S. D.
Telegraph immediately, and charge Union Defence Com- mittee.
NEW YORK, May 3, 1861.
DEAR SIR :
I have received your note of yesterday's date, on behalf of the " Union Defence Committee," asking me to meet them at dinner before my departure from the city.
I trust that you and the Committee will feel that I use no form of words in saying that it would have afforded me the greatest grati- fication to have had a social meeting with the generous and public- spirited members of the Committee whose exertions in their country's behalf I have witnessed, and in some degree shared. Recent occurrences, however, of which you are apprised, and in consequence of which I return to my headquarters at Troy to- morrow, deprive me of this gratification.
It is, however, due to myself as well as to the Committee, in returning my sincere thanks for the invitation with which they have honored me, to add the expression of a hope that no such meeting is necessary to evince either our mutual confidence and
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