Sunday, March 2, 2014

March 3, 1864---The Myth of Small Government In The South



MARCH 3, 1864:         


Despite the supposed Southern penchant for laissez-faire capitalism that endures to this day, the States also knew where their bread was buttered and carefully regulated cotton transactions.


“The State of Texas
County of Austin 

Know all Men by these Presents:

That We Robert M Jones[,] RF Harris & JM Murf of said County have this day sold to the State of Texas, through its authorized agent E.B. Nichols of _______________________, Three Hundred Bales, 150,000 pounds of Cotton marked, weighed and classified as follows, viz:

Bales lbs. Good Middling Cotton,
Bales lbs. Middling Cotton,
300 Three Hundred M Bales 150,000 lbs.
Low Middling Cotton, Bales lbs.
Good Ordinary Cotton,

which Cotton I hereby agree to deliver at Eagle Pass on the Rio Grande, and for which I am to be paid the market value thereof atthe place of delivery, less the actual cost of transportation, in no case to exceed one fourth the value of the cotton at the place of delivery, in the Bonds of the State of Texas, drawing in par and indexed, payable in Specie semi-annually. In the event said Bonds are not ready for delivery at the time said cotton is delivered as aforesaid, then I am to receive the certificate of the agent, to be cancelled by payment of the same in Bonds to be hereafter delivered.

Given under my hand and seal, using scroll for seal,

at Houston
in the County of Harris 
State of Texas,
this the 3rd day of March A.D., 1864

“Signed” R.M. Jones & Co

Witness:

“Signed”
Jessie M. Baker
F.J Suvis””




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