Here is a wonderful ALS written by Charles T. Mitchell, a wealthy merchant in Wilmington, North Carolina, who seeks to make a deal with Governor M. L. Bonham of South Carolina concerning blockade running.  He says that,

                “If the runner’s lines had their Steamers running I would try

                 and get them to take out each trip for you which would make

                 you piles of money.  I write this for your own eye only.”

The rest of the letter has great content also:

·         “I have this forenoon received a letter from Mr. Charles Hammond of Hamburg enclosing
me Rail Road receipts for 87 Bshls Cotton which he has shipped by your order to W. C. Bee & Co. 
Please inform me what disposition I am to make of them upon their arrival here.”

·         “Compressed Cotton has been offered today at $1.25 per pound ‘New currency’ without finding
a purchaser.  There is little or no disposition to purchase just now because of the paucity of
ships in harbor.”

·         “I hope that Mr. Furman & you have acceded to our propositions about our steamers for our
soldiers with stores for most of want & clothes soon.” 

·         “Genl. Whitney told me in Duncan’s House he had not had fresh meat upon his table for 40 days
and I see with intense scorn that the “Minnies” cargo (just in service four days since) from
Bermuda consisting of 170 boxes bacon has to be kept here as it is filled with worms & unfit for
use and her Captain says there are hundreds of tons of stores waiting shipment in Bermuda. 
I fear the success of our cause because it’s been so many days to manage our affairs.

A great, great letter concerning blockade running!

#CG79 - Price $695

                        Transcription:
                                                                                                                Wilmington 4^th April 1864

                                Gov. M. L. Bonham

                            Columbia, So. Ca.

                                Dear Governor,

                                                           I have this forenoon received a letter from Mr. Charles 
                                Hammond of Hamburg enclosing me Rail Road receipts for 87 Bshls 
                               Cotton which he has shipped by your order to W. C. Bee & Co.  Please 
                                inform me what disposition I am to make of them upon their arrival 
                                here.  Compressed Cotton has been offered today at $1.25 per pound 
                                ‘New currency’ without finding a purchaser.  There is little or no 
                                disposition to purchase just now because of the paucity of ships in 
                                harbor.  I hope that Mr. Furman & you have acceded to our 
                                propositions about our steamers for our soldiers with stores for most 
                                of want & clothes soon.  Genl. Whitney told me in Duncan’s House he 
                                had not had fresh meat upon his table for 40 days and I see with 
                                intense scorn that the “Minnies” cargo (just in service four days since) 
                                from Bermuda consisting of 170 boxes bacon has to be kept here as it 
                                is filled with worms & unfit for use and her Captain says there are 
                                hundreds of tons of stores waiting shipment in Bermuda.  I fear the 
                                success of our cause because it’s been so many days to manage our 
                                affairs.

Yours Very Respectfully,

            Chs. T. Mitchell

                                Over –

                                If the runner’s lines had their Steamers running I would try and get 
                                them to take out each trip for you which would make you piles of 
                                money.  I write this for your own eye only.