The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 21, July 1917 - April, 1918 Page: 357
434 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Confederate Trans-Mississippi Department, 1863-1865 357
acquisition of cotton, he refused to give up his scheme. The work
of government agents was further hampered by a state law for-
bidding, under heavy penalties, all impressments of cotton or other
trade restrictions not authorized by the laws of Congress.100 As
previously shown, efforts had been made to get Congress to legal-
ize this bureau but without result. Genera] Smith did not in fact
claim any statute authority for the bureau, but he maintained that
the military necessity was sufficient to justify it. He sent Major
Guy M. Bryan to Austin to urge the governor to. co-operate with
him, but without success. Corresp-ondence of this subject was con-
tinued till July, 1864, when the governor finally yielded, sus-
pended purchases under the "state plan," and relinquished his con-
tracets for cotton to the Confederate authorities.
This opposition to the operation of certain laws of Congress
and to policies of the administration was not con fined to state
officials. During 1863 and the spring of 1864 the attitude of the
press and, presumably, of the people toward Smith was one of
friendly co-operation; but after he began enforcing the conscript
law, impressing cotton and transportation, and using his own reg-
ulations for trade, discontent was manifested and many people
openly supported the contentions of the Governor. It was not
popularly known, in fact, how much power had been delegated to
the general; and apprehension was expressed that unless the state
asserted its rights it would be overthrown. The Texas papers,
which realized that General Smith's power alone prevented an-
archy, defended him by maintaining that the cotton office was
legal, that impressments were necessary, that the state govern-
ments were in greater danger from the enemy than from the Con-
federate military authorities, that the affairs of the department
were administered well, and that he should be sustained. The
Houston Telegraph, The Arkansas 7Telegraph, The Galveston News.
The Texas Republican (Marshall), The Patriot (La Grange), all
supported the commander's policy, usually in the strongest terms;
while The State Gazette (Austin), the Natchitoches papers, and
perhaps others, opposed it just as vehemently. Citizens, as well
"'General Laws, 'Called Session, Tenth Legis., pp. 12-13; Trenholm to
Seddon, July 21, 1864, Off. Recs., LIIT, 1016.
"'Murrah tol Nichols, July 16, 1864, printed copy in Texas Archives.
Also, Smith to Murrah, August 25, 1864, Off. Recs., XLI, ii, 10,82-10184.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 21, July 1917 - April, 1918, periodical, 1918; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101073/m1/363/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.