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investigation.
I should have sent the specie ($50,000) to you, but this remarkable state of things exists:--
Two paymasters came down here with $285,000, too little money to pay the troops of this department, some of whom have not been paid for six months, and they and their families are suffering for their just dues, which, for the inefficiency of the Pay Department in not making proper requisitions, has not been furnished them.
I shall, therefore, appropriate this $50,000 toward the payment of the troops left unpaid, one of which is a Western regiment not paid since December, and one a Maine one not paid since October.
I shall borrow of one of the banks here $50,000 more in gold (I cannot get treasury notes) upon my own credit and pledging the faith of the government.
This I have promised shall be returned in gold in sixty days, with interest, at the rate of six per cent. per annum, and trust that pledge will be made good, or I shall have to suffer the loss.
I shall also obtain from Adams & Co. here $50,000 in Treasury notes, or thereabout, and by leaving the allotments unpaid here, but to be paid in New York, I shall be able to have the payment completed; but this only pays the March and April payment, leaving two months still due. May I ask, therefore, that my draft of $25,000 in favor of Adams & Co. be honored, and a future draft, not exceeding in all $50,000, be honored at sight?
So that Adams & Co. can send forward remittances to the soldiers' wives, which have been used here to pay others, and that $50,000 in gold be sent me to repay that which I have borrowed.
I would not let my soldiers go longer unpaid.
It was injuring the credit of the government with our foes, and breeding sickness and discontent among my men.
Trusting that this action will meet approval in the emergency, I am,
Most truly yours,
