rmuda
the blockade had become so close that the owners decided not to make the
attempt to run it, and they offered to sell ship and cargo to me at a
bargain. I was still unable to buy her, although I knew what a valuable
blockade-runner she would be and what a desirable cargo she carried.
The owners, of whom there were several, were so anxious to sell her that
they importuned me till finally I said: "Well, gentlemen, I can do one
thing: I can offer you cotton for your ship and cargo." They jumped at
the proposal, saying that was all they wanted. Where would I deliver the
cotton?

[Illustration]

At Charleston, Mobile or Wilmington.

When?

Thirty days after the presentation of my order to the War Department in
Richmond.

Strange as it may read, these men were perfectly satisfied with my
proposition, although I could not see how they were to get their cotton
out, since they were selling their ship to me. However, we agreed upon
the weight and quality of cotton to be given for ship and cargo, and it
only remained for me to satisfy their lawyer that I was duly authorized
to make the purchase. For this purpose, a meeting was arranged for the
next morning, when I presented the leather-stained order which had come
to me through the lines, sewed between the layers of the sole of a shoe.
On reading this, the lawyer said: "That's enough to cover anything," and
a contract was signed and an order given me for the ship and cargo. As
this contract may interest the reader, a _fac-simile_ of it is given.
(See plate.)

The quantity of cotton being too large for one owner to handle, it was
arranged to have warrants engraved and printed for smaller quantities.

The "Merrimac" ran into Wilmington and delivered her valuable cargo in
fine order. She was then loaded with cotton, and one favorable
night--dark and stormy--started on her return trip to the Islands.
Before clearing the harbor she collided with another steamer on her way
in, and the "Merrimac" was obliged to return to Wilmington, where it was
found that she could not be repaired, and she was finally sold, with her
cargo, for $1,100,000. The vessel with which she collided was her sister
ship which had lain alongside of her in London Docks. Means were not to
be found in Wilmington to repair the "Merrimac" for the Confederate
Government; but it was easily accomplished as soon as she passed into
private hands, and she was again sent to make her run to the Islands. To
my gre