Letter from William S. Barry to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; February 12, 1861

Montgomery Ala Feb 12^th 1861.

Hon J J: Pettus Jackson Miss

Dear Sir.

We are progress-ing in our business here as rapidly as possibly under the Circumstances. We are prepossing in the committee on finance bills in reference to the tariff, and will no doubt have under con-sideration the prompt raising of money. This subject has already been mentioned and the inquiry was put what could the [?] states do to furnish the new government with money at once. I stated on behalf of Miss the condition of things there and the provision made for raising

a million of dollars in our state and that I presumed the money if required would be furnished on these notes &c by our citizens, moreover that though you had no authority to hand it or any portion of it over to this government, yet it was not impossible it could [leave ?] if found necessary. The discretion given you by the ordinance raising the money, I do not exactly [rem-imbre ?] but if not sufficient for the purpose. The convention could be called together and the [?] if need be would it not be made in this state of the case to make some inquiry, were diligent inquiry to Score how much of the million [?] would be promptly taken, So that same estimate may be made of the numbers likely to be at the [controle ?] of the government at the start. The

more money we have to begin with the more case we shall have in acq-uiring more and the chances are we shall need all we are likely to be able to get. Could any portion of the additional tax to be collected this spring be diverted in this manner? M^r Barnwell on the committee said his state could furnish a million which had been permitted for the state defense and would not be needed if the goven-ment takes, as it will of course [contrule ?] of the whole subject of defense—

I mention this subject in the commition, and suggested that the sum raised or permitted for should be two of three hundred of our million, that we ought to have a million or two to offer for the use of the new government, but Marshall had taken formed that we would need less than

than the sum contemplated as the new government would be in operations, and the convention in the end seemed no more greedy to levy taxes than we found the legislature would be have been.

I would be very glad to hear from you on the subject at once and also on the state of things at home. I would be very glad as would also I doubt not our whole delegation, if you could report the State in position to furnish a considerable sum of money my soon to the government—

I should have written you before but I have been busy and had nothing of interest to write.

I am in haste very truly your friend

William S. Barry

W. S. Barry

W. S. Barry