In the letter Lapsley discusses the foundry in Selma that might be purchased by the Confederate government; he mentions that Francis Strother Lyon, an Alabama representative in the Confederate Congress, approves of the plan.
In the letter, written February 11, 1862, Lapsley discusses the supply of coal, saltpeter, and sulphur available to the Confederate government if it decides to establish an armory in Selma, Alabama. He ends by expressing the need for more weapons:...
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 Smith describes English sentiment toward the Civil War: "By a chance I had an opportunity to learn the silent feelings of all the most intelligent gentlemen were with the South before the Manassas Battle: and here the Southern cause...
In the letter Erwin, a purchasing agent for the Confederacy, explains the difficulties he has encountered while trying to take a load of bacon to Confederate soldiers in Alabama. He also discusses several men who might be available to work at the...
In the letter Taylor explains that he has just been expelled from school. Though he apologizes for this, he insists that his "demerits were caused from trifling things" and suggests that the school administrators "are trying to expell [sic] all the...
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...
In the letter McRae asks his mother to copy a letter to send to some business associates, and he mentions travel plans, family members, and supplies he is sending to her.