act
as consignee and custodian of the tobacco until delivered
according to agreement. He was not in any sense, as we
understand, a party to the contract. What became of the
tobacco is known to our readers. Dr. Rose was carried off by
the Yankees for engaging in contraband traffic.

The name of General Singleton has been connected with this
transaction. We state on the authority of an officer of the
bureau referred to that he has no lot nor part in it, directly
or indirectly. The loss of the tobacco will fall upon the
contractors here unless the New York parties to the contract
will fulfill their obligations by indemnifying the bureau with
which they contracted."

After action by Congress, President Lincoln endeavored to extend some
relief to persons within the Confederacy who were Unionists at heart;
they were to be encouraged by allowing them to work their products up to
and through the lines. What was intended as a great beneficent
proposition was seized upon by the Confederate government to help itself
financially.

The following order will explain the experiences with cotton on the
Mississippi river. I presume these orders drove Martin to turn his
attention to tobacco in the east:

Headquarters, Major General Washburn,
District West Tennessee.
Memphis, May 10, 1864.

"The practical operation of commercial intercourse from this
city with the States in rebellion, has been to help largely to
feed, clothe, arm and equip our enemies."

* * * * *

"To take cotton, belonging to the Rebel Government to Memphis,
and convert it into supplies and greenbacks, and return to the
lines of the enemy, or place the proceeds to the credit of the
Rebel Government, in Europe, is safe and easy.

"I have undoubted evidence that large amounts of cotton have
been and are being brought here to be sold, belonging to the
Rebel Government."

* * * * *

"It is therefore ordered, that on and after the 15th of May,
1864, the lines of the Army at Memphis be closed and no person
be permitted to leave the city, except by river, without a
special pass."

"By order of
Major General C. C. WASHBURN."

A similar order was issued by Colonel Farrar, at Natchez, Miss., and by
General Sherman at Vicksburg, in which they sa