Viewing page 157 of 229

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Mobile December 13 1865
General
I have received your telegram of yesterday, asking if Treasury Agents cannot be transferred to you to act as your agents in the collection of property. I have answered by telegraph that this cannot be done I desire to explain. 
The act of Congress authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to appoint agents to collect captured and abandoned property fixes the manner in which property collected by third shall be disposed of. I have very serious doubts whether the transfer ordered by the President and directed by the Secretary is proper or can by justified except by future legislation. But of course subordinate officers should obey directions from their superiors. 
Entertaining such doubt. you will readily see that I cannot properly permit these agents to be transferred to you to continue making collections