Montgomery C. Meigs to Richard Yates

Bk 14: Y 12

Quarter-Master General's Office,

Washington City, Aug 23 1862

Hon. Richard Yates.

Govr of Illinois

Springfield, Ills.

Sir:

Your letter of the 15th August, relative to the contracts for clothing for Illinois troops, has been referred to this office by the Secretary of War.

You state that the withdrawal of more than one hundred thousand of the citizens of Illinois, has, by decreasing the demand for ready made clothing, occasioned much pecuniary suffering among the employees of some of your largest manufacturers, and suggest that contracts for at least

25,000 full uniforms be given to parties in your state.

This subject has engaged the attention of the Qr. Mr. General, who has sent to Capt. J. A. Potter (at Chicago) chief Quarter Master in the State of Illinois, the cloth to make up the uniforms for the Illinois contingent of militia, with instructions to enter into contracts if possible, for the making up of these clothes, in the State.

I have also authorized him to procure largely of other supplies, such as can be purchased or manufactured in the State or its neighborhood, but not to enter Eastern markets, or the Cincinnati market, and compete with the agents of the United States who are authorized to contract and purchase in those markets.

Any suggestion from your excellency to aid in this or to distribute, without prejudice to the United States, more generally and equitably the expenditures of the Government, will be gladly received by the Qr. Mr. Genl.

It is not thought proper to have too many contracting & purchasing agents in a State, as they compete against each other and raise prices. It is therefore considered best to keep this work in each of the States, under the direction of one officer, and Capt. Potter has been selected for that purpose in Illinois.

I am

Very Respectfully

Yr. Obt. Servt.

M C Meigs

Qr. Mr. General

M. C. Meigs

Q. M. General

Washington, Aug. 23.

Acknowledges Gov's letter of 15th; says 25,000 full informs are given to parties in Ill. and cloth has been forwarded to Capt. Potter of Chicago to make up uniforms for the Union contingent of militia. He is also authorized to procure largely of other supplies; any suggestions of Gov'r will be attended to.