Letter from Thomas J. Butler in Mobile, Alabama, to Governor A. B. Moore.
Item
Identifier
RSG00248_f09_Q0000134739_Q0000134741
Title
Letter from Thomas J. Butler in Mobile, Alabama, to Governor A. B. Moore.
Rights
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Type
Text
Creator
Butler, Thomas J.
Date
December 25, 1860
Description
This letter from Thomas J. Butler to Governor A.B. Moore is written to provide details about financials circumstances regarding certain forts and military occupations around Alabama. The letter also details the hearts and emotions of the people surrounding the area about their reaction and committment to war
Format
letter
Place
Mobile (Ala.)
Publisher
Alabama Department of Archives and History. (electronic version)
Contributor
Anna Grace Beddingfield
transcription
Mobile, Decr. 25th 1860
Sir:
I had the honor of addressing you in reply to yr. communication of the 21st inst:, by the mail of yesterday. Having examined the appropriation bill, approved 30 June, 1860, I find the following: for Fort Gaines (on Dauphin island) $20.000.~ " " at Ship island (constructing) 20.000.~ " Contingencies (unoccupied forts) 30.000 " Armament of forts . . . . . 2.00.000 " Ordance for . . . . . 250.000.~
And I find, upon reference to the papers of this office, where, if disbursements occur within this Collection district, this office is made the Medium of accounts, &c, that the following have been the drafts made under the above appropriating for the specified works &c.~
60. Sep 15.- favor of Lieut: Prince - fort Gaines . . . . $2500.~ " Oct 23- " " " " " Ship Island . . . 2.000.~ " " " " " " " Repairing Barracks . . . 1.000.~ " " " " " " " Contingincy of Fortifications 1.500. " Nov 15 " " " " ship Islande . . . 1.500.~
Of the above sums I am inclined to think the $1.000 for repairing barracks, & $1500. for contingencies of fortifications, may have been employed at fort Morgan -
The barracks at that post are doubtless in a state of dilapidation, and the wharf was, I heard some time since, much injured by storms.-
I trust it may be convenient for Captain Leadbetter to leave to_day on his proposed visit. Of course he will furnish an exact account of the actual conditions of things immediately on his return, which I will transmit forthwith to yow.
I will faithfully endeavor to meet your views in respect to both Mt Vernon & Fort Morgan, & should I learn of any attempt, from any quarter, to interfere, I will dispatch you instantly - and would endeavor to frustrate it -
I cannot but regard, sir, that, this Union being already dissolved, virtually, & the people of the north occupying an absolutely hostile position to us, that, considering all the peculiar circumstances by which we ^are, or may be, surrounded, it would be the part of Wisdom, (in case of War, or tumult of any sort,) beyond all question so, to occupy both places. Our paternal government has certainly given us an admirable pretext by their desertion of us for so long a period.- But, whatever may be my private view in regard to this most important movement, allow me again to assure your Excly: that you may rely upon me to defeat any scheme, if it be ^in my power, to anticipate the action of the state.
In regard to Mt Vernon, I am informed that it is no Southern sentiment pervading the minds of its occupants - I do not know the facts, but I am satisfied that the "honor, safety, & protection of Alabama", are not uppermost in the hearts of these people.
I hope to do myself the pleasure of furnishing you some Statistical facts in regard to our State ^trade as they are presented by the Records of our Custom-house here; and I hope to be able to prove that in a state of independence we may be inabled greatly to reduce our ratio of taxation, while we shall largely increase our revenue.
Anomalous as it may seem, I have no doubt of the fact.-
Mr. Robert Smith, (Comr. to N. C.) Candidate in the Co'operation side, & badly beaten in our elections held yesterday, played on the taxation strings throughout the caucus, through letters, conversations &c, &c.; but he, & Mr [Powers?] were met by us at all points, & the result is ^as I said above that they have been badly beaten.
I trust I am not obtrusive Sir, and will not do so again, without some encouragement - and I would not pretend to write in so familiar a vain to one in yr. exalted place, & with whom I have not the honor of a personal acquaintance, did I not feel that our hearts beat responsive to each others in this great contest for our Liberty.
With Sincere regard, Yours faithfully
Thos. J. Butler
His Excly: A. B. Moore, Montgomery Ala
Sir:
I had the honor of addressing you in reply to yr. communication of the 21st inst:, by the mail of yesterday. Having examined the appropriation bill, approved 30 June, 1860, I find the following: for Fort Gaines (on Dauphin island) $20.000.~ " " at Ship island (constructing) 20.000.~ " Contingencies (unoccupied forts) 30.000 " Armament of forts . . . . . 2.00.000 " Ordance for . . . . . 250.000.~
And I find, upon reference to the papers of this office, where, if disbursements occur within this Collection district, this office is made the Medium of accounts, &c, that the following have been the drafts made under the above appropriating for the specified works &c.~
60. Sep 15.- favor of Lieut: Prince - fort Gaines . . . . $2500.~ " Oct 23- " " " " " Ship Island . . . 2.000.~ " " " " " " " Repairing Barracks . . . 1.000.~ " " " " " " " Contingincy of Fortifications 1.500. " Nov 15 " " " " ship Islande . . . 1.500.~
Of the above sums I am inclined to think the $1.000 for repairing barracks, & $1500. for contingencies of fortifications, may have been employed at fort Morgan -
The barracks at that post are doubtless in a state of dilapidation, and the wharf was, I heard some time since, much injured by storms.-
I trust it may be convenient for Captain Leadbetter to leave to_day on his proposed visit. Of course he will furnish an exact account of the actual conditions of things immediately on his return, which I will transmit forthwith to yow.
I will faithfully endeavor to meet your views in respect to both Mt Vernon & Fort Morgan, & should I learn of any attempt, from any quarter, to interfere, I will dispatch you instantly - and would endeavor to frustrate it -
I cannot but regard, sir, that, this Union being already dissolved, virtually, & the people of the north occupying an absolutely hostile position to us, that, considering all the peculiar circumstances by which we ^are, or may be, surrounded, it would be the part of Wisdom, (in case of War, or tumult of any sort,) beyond all question so, to occupy both places. Our paternal government has certainly given us an admirable pretext by their desertion of us for so long a period.- But, whatever may be my private view in regard to this most important movement, allow me again to assure your Excly: that you may rely upon me to defeat any scheme, if it be ^in my power, to anticipate the action of the state.
In regard to Mt Vernon, I am informed that it is no Southern sentiment pervading the minds of its occupants - I do not know the facts, but I am satisfied that the "honor, safety, & protection of Alabama", are not uppermost in the hearts of these people.
I hope to do myself the pleasure of furnishing you some Statistical facts in regard to our State ^trade as they are presented by the Records of our Custom-house here; and I hope to be able to prove that in a state of independence we may be inabled greatly to reduce our ratio of taxation, while we shall largely increase our revenue.
Anomalous as it may seem, I have no doubt of the fact.-
Mr. Robert Smith, (Comr. to N. C.) Candidate in the Co'operation side, & badly beaten in our elections held yesterday, played on the taxation strings throughout the caucus, through letters, conversations &c, &c.; but he, & Mr [Powers?] were met by us at all points, & the result is ^as I said above that they have been badly beaten.
I trust I am not obtrusive Sir, and will not do so again, without some encouragement - and I would not pretend to write in so familiar a vain to one in yr. exalted place, & with whom I have not the honor of a personal acquaintance, did I not feel that our hearts beat responsive to each others in this great contest for our Liberty.
With Sincere regard, Yours faithfully
Thos. J. Butler
His Excly: A. B. Moore, Montgomery Ala
Subject
Butler, Thomas J.;
Moore, A. B. (Andrew Barry), 1807-1873;
Governors--Alabama;
Alabama--Politics and government--To 1865;
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; Fort Morgan (Ala.)
Moore, A. B. (Andrew Barry), 1807-1873;
Governors--Alabama;
Alabama--Politics and government--To 1865;
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; Fort Morgan (Ala.)