Bragg wrote this letter while representing Mobile County at the Alabama constitutional convention of 1861 (also known as the Secession Convention). In the letter Bragg discusses events at the assembly, including McRae's election as a delegate to...
In this letter McRae discusses transactions, customers, and payments of their firm. At the end he mentions a cavalry company Boykin is attempting to assemble.
In the letter Browne describes the difficulties of the coal trade in Alabama, such as rising costs, diminishing supplies, and transportation difficulties. He also discusses the coal that he can supply to the Confederate government, and he asks...
In the letter Browne discusses the coal that he can supply to the foundry in Selma, if the Confederate government establishes an armory there. He mentions rising costs, diminishing supplies, and transportation difficulties. He plans to be in...
In the note Salomon asks Josiah Moris in Montgomery, Alabama, to deliver the enclosed letter to Colin J. McRae. In the letter to McRae, Salomon sends news about political activities in the North, and encourages the South to stand firm and fight for...
In the letter Lapsley discusses possible coal supplies to the foundry in Selma, if the Confederate government establishes an armory there. In particular he mentions the estimates given by William P. Browne, who plans to discuss the matter with...
In the letter Lapsley discusses specimens of irons and ores that are being sent to McRae, who will consider them for the manufacture of arms and equipment. He also describes the supply of iron ore on the property of the Shelby Iron Company: "Mr....
In the message Murrell suggests that he be called to Richmond to discuss some unexplained business matter. Murrell was a partner in a cotton brokerage firm in Mobile, where McRae was also involved in the cotton trade.
In the letter Lapsley discusses the availability of iron for work on the Alabama and Mississippi Rivers Railroad ("I apprehend some difficulty now in procuring iron to complete the road"), and he mentions specimens of iron that are being sent to...
In the letter McRae encourages the president to establish an armory at Selma, a proposal he had unsuccessfully made to the Confederate government before: "I therefore take the liberty of again addressing you on the subject and to urge the absolute...
In the letter Minor mentions a government contract with J. E. Murrell of Mobile, authorizing an exchange of cotton to purchase nitre. Minor also commends McRae's efforts to have the Confederate government establish an armory at Selma. He explains...
In the letter Catherine discusses visits with family and friends; the price and availability of goods; troops who have been stationed in the area ("to watch the Yankees, and keep the negroes from running off"); local slaves who have run away; and...
In the letter Mary discusses visits with family and friends; the sale of the foundry at Selma to the Confederate government; Colin McRae's recent appointment as chief financial agent in Europe; acquaintances who are fighting in the war, including a...
In the letter McRae discusses the news he has received in Europe about recent Confederate losses in the war: "...we have had a succession of bad accounts causing many of our friends here to despair of ultimate success. I am not among that number...
In the letter McRae discusses public opinion after the surrender of Vicksburg: "The news that we have received by the way of New York is of much later date and is of such a character as that to cause many Confederates on this side of the water to...
The book contains six letters and a postscript McRae sent while serving as a financial agent for the Confederate government in Europe; also included are copies of relevant correspondence from James Williams to McRae, as well as a few accounting...
In the letter McRae asks Bloodgood to inquire about the reputation of a French banker who has made a financial proposition to the Confederate government.
In the letter McRae explains that he will not return to the United States now that the war has ended: "Brother John continues to urge me to come back, but it is useless. I could not do so if I would & I would not if I could. There are reasons which...