Henry Simms to Richard Yates

Philad 27th March 1865

My Dear Sir I telegraphed you today I would be in Wash tomorrow a m but I find I cant come until tomorrow night What I wanted to see you for was to see Sec Stanton The following is the subject on the 10 Jany 1865 a man calling himself I Denny called on me to furnish 200 plantation ox wagons to go to Cuba for hauling sugar My price being as he said too high he left and after 2 letters passing between him and me he was stopping at St Nicholas Hotel New York he contracted with me on 30 Jany for 200 Plan ox wagons 250 ox yokes 1300 Rings & Staples 2000 ox yoke Keys all to be shipped to Havana A part of the money was deposited to my credit as the work progressed and Balance to be paid Pro Ratee as shipments were made by each vessel I went on with them an on the 3 March shipped 15 on the Brig Herald at this (----) Port and bound to Havana I also engaged and shipped on Brig S V Merrick also for Havana 50 of these wagons & 105 ox yokes which I shipped on the 20th of this month on the 21st I was notified that the Brig Merrick was taken possession of by order of War Dept on account of these wagons on account of information that these wagons were to be reshipped from Havana to [Mataineras?] for the purpose of hauling cotton and that this Mr I Denny was a confederate agent this I cannot believe as I was informed Mr D was agent for Col Butler this is only hearsay but of one thing I can assure you if Mr D had directly or indirectly intimated anything disloyal or to the benefit of the Confederacy I would not have tolerated or noticed him And would have reported him but said he was about to locate in Cuba and was going to introduce American customs there and wanted Bagasse of Cane carts as well as ox wagons he had the wagons made wider than usual to take in Cuba Sugar [illegible] Now if in (----) your province would you call in Sec Stanton and if Denny was a rebel take such action as may be proper but I don't think I am in any way liable to censure wagons in fact are shipped direct from New York to [Matameras?] which are better calculated for cotton in [illegible] than these I made for Denny to go Havana I would refer if the Sect requires to Thos Webster esq I l Clayborn John Rice W A Remble H D Moore and I W Forney Esq and as many more of such men as would satisfy him that is there is not enough money in 200 wagons to sell them knowingly to a Rebel or is agent Now to take another position would it not be policy to let wagons go forward and get the cotton out of the rotten confederacy as their days are numbered and get their cotton their days are that much shorter if the Sect has not made his decision would you see him I will come down tomorrow night unless you telegram not worth while Hoping you are in good health I remain very truly your Frd Henry Simms To Hon Richd Yates Washt D C (----) P S Hon Leon Myers offered to come down but I told him it was such a plain case as I supposed and as I did not wish to mystify it I thought best to let it take its course I might also refer to Hon Mr B Kelly Hon Chs ONeill as well as Leon Myers first and Latter as well as {illegal} H Kemble & T Webster Knows what I have done for the Union Party and what my sentiments are HS (----) Henry Simmons Philadelphia Pa To Gn Yates Sold some ox wagons to one Denny to be shipped to Havana Cuba Shipped them at various times in different vessels One vessel arrested on charge that these wagons were going to [Matar?] for the rebels Denies this charge and wants you to see Sec Stanton and have them released refers to J W [Lorne?] and others