Abraham Lincoln Papers: Incoming and Contextual Documents Document mal1019200

American Bank Note Co
New York 6 June 1861
Dear Sir,
The accompanying
statement will explain itself.
I will thank you to bring
it to the notice of the President
on your arrival at Washington.
I had decided not to do
the work, but will defer an
answer till tomorrow for
the purpose of hearing from
Washington.
Yours Respectfully,
Tracy R. Edson
President

[*10192-1*]

Memorandum.
New York, May 6th, 1861
An agent of the American Banknote
Company, while at St Louis, Mo, last week,
on business with some of the Banks, was
applied to by Judge Morrison Treasurer
of State, to Engrave and print "State Defence
Bonds" to the amount of one million Dollars,
of the denominations of 10. 20. 50. & 100.
Dollars, in the following form; viz-
" "State Defence Bond"
"Issued under the 6th Section of an Act
"entitled an act to raise money to arm
"the State, repel invasion and protect
"the lives and property of the people of
"Missouri, approved May 11th 1861.
"The State of Missouri promises
"to pay the bearer the sum of_ _ _ _ _ _ Dollars,
"at the office of the State Treasurer, on the first
"day of February 186_, with ten per cent. interest
"from date. This Bond will be received in
"payment of taxes and revenue due the State
"for the year 186_
"Signed and Sealed at the city of Jefferson,
"this _ _ _ _ _ day of _ _ _ _ _ 186_ _
"By the Governor _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
"_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Secretary of State.
"Registered _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Auditor.

[*10193-2*]

The agent declined the responsibility of taking
an order for such a Bond, but consented to
submit the matter for the decision of the
Company, on his return to New York.

The above took place in presence of
Messrs. D. H. Armstrong and Thomas C. Johnson of
St. Louis, to whom the decision of the Company
was to be communicated by telegraph.

On mentioning the circumstance to Mr.
Geo. W. Pearson in St. Louis, the agent of the
American Banknote Company was introduced
to the Hon. O.D. Filley, who, with Messr's
Broadhead, How, Glover, Witzig, and F. P. Blair
Jr, is said to stand in the confidential
relation to the United States Government.

The case was stated to Mr. Filley, when he
and three of the above named gentlemen
united in the following letter to the American
Banknote Company; which deserves attention.
It is stated that the other gentlemen would
have joined in the letter, had they been present.

The following is a copy of the letter.

St. Louis, May 31st 1861
Tracy R. Edson, Esqr
President of American Banknote Co.

Dear Sir,
We have just ascertained
that arrangements have been made with
your agent here to print blanks for Missouri.

[*10194*]

3.
Military Bonds, authorised to be issued by
the infamous and treasonable Legislature of
this State at its last session. The object is
to raise a fund to arm the state with the
view of forcing Missouri out of the Union.
This movement is not only against the wishes
of a large majority of the people of the state
but is in violation of the arrangement made
between Genl Harney, the Commander of the
Federal forces here, and the Governor through
Genl Price, by which the organization of the
militia of the state under the military bill,
was to be suspended; and is proof positive
of the breach of that agreement on the part of
the Governor. We hope however that
you will print the Bonds, and when they
are ready for delivery send us word in
regard to all the particulars and where they
May be found, so that we can have them
seized if we deem it necessary. Be sure
and let us know in time. We write to
you, believing that you are a reliable
Union man and a friend to the Government
of the United States in the Contest in which
it is now engaged. We may send someone to
see about the matter in New York. We would
suggest that you arrange it as to be
sure and get your pay.
Respectfully yours,

[*10195*]

(Signed)

Jas. O. Broadhead
O. D. Filley
John How
J. J. Witzig (Committee in part)

Notwithstanding the above request, the
American Banknote Company were on
the point of declining the order, but have
deferred an answer until the facts
could be laid before the Government.

[*10196*]