Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/164

 148 Southern Historical Society Papers.

zines, to be built at once, these to be of brick 36x12x7 feet, and to cost $1,254.

The Governor wrote to Merrill, Thomas & Co., of Baltimore, asking if they would take North Carolina bonds in payment for arms; that he had been so informed, and if true he would send them an order at once.

The Governor made requisition on the United States War De- partment, January 26th, for 334 long-range rifles with sword bayo- nets. Under date of February 4th, he was advised by Colonel H. K. Craig, of the ordnance office at Washington that these had been ordered shipped. This drew out to the last cent the State's quota of arms allowed by the United States.

February 6th, the Governor ordered 200 barrels of cannon powder at 18 cents per pound, and 50 kegs musket powder at the same, to be shipped to him, care McPheeters & Ghiselin, Norfolk. He wrote July 7th, to Merrill, Thomas & Co., Baltimore, to ship him 500 Mer- rill rifles, 100,000 percussion caps and 100,000 rifle, 500 each car- tridge boxes, belts, etc., cartridges directed to Raleigh, via Norfolk. On the same day he wrote W. B. Hartley, secretary of the Colt Arms Company, New York, to send him 500 Colt's navy pistols at $18, to be shipped to Brown, DeRosset & Co., Wilmington, or McPheeters & Ghiselin, Norfolk; the order to be filled before March ist. Hartlet wrote July nth, that the pistols would be shipped on the T4th. The Governor wrote him: "In order to prevent seizure it would be wise to pack in casks and not put any name upon them. Advise the house to which you ship. In case of seizure, advise me at once, as I am resolved to retaliate."

February nth, Merrill, Thomas & Co., wrote that they could not ship the 500 rifles in time, owing to large previous orders from Vir- ginia, to be paid for in cash. The firm did not care to take North Carolina bonds. The Governor in reply suspended the order "for the present." He wrote to Watson & Meares, New York: "I would be glad to have your aid in the purchase of arms in and near New York; 500 long range rifles made by Eli Whitney, near New Haven; also 300 cavalry sabres. If Colonel Meares has time, I would be glad if he would give his personal attention to the matter, as he has acquaintance with such things."

J. E. Thomas, keeper of the "public arms" at New Berne, made an inventory July 5th, aided by Colonel John D. Whitford, and found 1,648 muskets in order, 1,420 of which had never been un- packed; also 157 horse pistols and 120 sabres; also large quantities