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””
