This is an important letter on how the Confederate Government was going to handle private blockade-running. 

Lt. Col. Thomas L. Bayne was the Confederate Government Official “in charge of cotton and foreign supplies”.  This is a retained copy that he sent to Mr. C. M. Furman in South Carolina giving instructions on how blockade-running was going to handle carrying Government cotton.  Bayne mentions the blockade-runners Alice and Fannie and also mentions the Port of Wilmington.

#CG77 - Price $550

                       Transcription:

                                        Richmond Va. May 27^th 1864

                                Hon. C. M. Furman

                                      Comr. of the State of S.C.

                                                                Charleston, S.C.

                                Sir,

                                                    His Excellency the President, after calling for a report from the 
                                Hon. the Secy. of War and Treasury upon the application made by you on 
                                behalf of the State of S.C., has endorsed the report, as follows:

                                “Secty. of War upon your remarks and the report of the Secretary of the 
                                Treasury it is decided that restitution shall be made by the allowance of 
                                freight on Govmt. Vessels as recommended.”

                                        This order has been extended to me by the Hon. the Secty. of War 
                                with directions to execute it.  The recommendation referred to is that the 
                                State may now be permitted to send out on Government Vessels the same 
                                quantity of cotton, and at the same rate of freight, which it would have 
                                shipped under the original permit, if no impediment to its execution had 
                                been superposed, that is to say, 1/3 cargo of Steamers ‘Alice and Fannie’ 
                                for one trip each.

                                        There is no Vessel owned exclusively by the Govmt. now running 
                               into Wilmington, and the recommendation given is therefore impracticable.  
                                The object however can be attained by relinquishing to you in exchange for 
                                the rights conceded to you by the President’s decision, on the next trips of 
                                Fannie and Alice, 1/3 of their freight room out of the ½ appropriated by the 
                                Government, or if you prefer it, an equivalent space will be given you in 
                                any other Stmr. or Steamers you may select.

                                        Instructions in accordance herewith will be issued to Mr. Seixas.

                                        You will see in this decision the anxiety of the Govmt. to do full 
                                and exact justice to the State of S.C. and I trust that it will be entirely 
                                satisfactory.

                                                                Very Respfy.

                                                                           Your Obt. Servant

                                                                                    Signed Thos. L. Bayne Lt. Col.

                                                                                    In Charge of Cotton & foreign Supplies

                                 Approved

                                (Signed)    C. G. Memminger

                                                    Secretary of the Treasy.