Autograph letter signed by William Lowndes Yancey (1814–1863), Alabama's fire-eating "Orator of Secession" and Confederate diplomat and senator, Richmond, Virginia, 6 April 1862, 4 pages, 8vo. INITIALED by Jefferson Davis (1808–1889) as President of the Confederate States, endorsing the purchase of arms from Europe. With additional mention of the mission of Major Caleb Huse (1831–1905), acting as agent for the Confederacy in arranging contacts with European manufacturers. 

Written during Yancey's service as senator in the Confederate Congress, the letter offers his counsel to Jefferson Davis concerning the acquisition of European munitions to bolster the Confederate war effort. Earlier in 1861, Caleb Huse had been commissioned as an arms agent by Jefferson Davis and had traveled first to England, where he contracted with the London Armoury Company. 

Here, Yancey suggests that additional agents, assigned to clearly delineated territories throughout Europe may be beneficial. He notes that "smooth bore muskets may yet be got in Europe if pains is taken to find them," and that the appointment of two extra officers in "different section so the continent...would facilitate the acquisition of such arms...[and] would prevent conflict in securing purchase & consequent rise in prices." 

Yancey also emphasizes the importance of cash in securing contracts with arms manufacturers: "The manufactures of the riffles [sic] as well as other muskets and carbines are more pretty much open to be monopolized by our contractor but to this end a large amount of cash in hand is absolutely necessary." He cites a recent incident wherein Huse, grossly underfunded by the Department of War, "had to beg an advance from S. Isaac Campbell & Co. to the amount of half a million dollars" in order to maintain his order of 5,000 muskets.

Annotations to the verso of the final page include Davis's initialed endorsement of Yancey's advice: "Secretary of War. For attention and conference with Secretary of Treasury with a view to consultation, &c. - J.D."

While Huse continued to work independently and almost exclusively in England, Yancey's suggestion of an augmented cashflow was seemingly implemented: cash-only transactions won the Confederacy favor, and major contracts, subsequently, with European manufacturers. Ultimately, Huse was  given carte blanche on spending – to whit, post-war estimates place the value on European arms acquired by the Confederacy at over $10 million.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]