Memminger, Christopher G., 1803-1888 Letters referring to Contract for Rent of President's House.
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09100.01 Author/Creator: Memminger, Christopher G., 1803-1888 Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 24 June 1861 - 8 July 1861 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 28 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy
Confederate Treasury Secretary Memminger, with William Cabell Rives of the Confederate Congress, to a Committee of the City of Richmond comprised of L.W. Glazebrook, N.B. Hill, and George K. Crutchfield. Correspondence leading to the creation of the Confederate Presidential Mansion. Memminger writes on behalf of a Congressional Committee appointed to find an appropriate residence for the Confederacy's Chief Executive. Memminger thanks the City Fathers of Richmond for offering President Davis free use of what would become his new residence. However, Memminger suggests that the Chief Executive's residence be rented instead, so that the individual states would each bear a share of the expense. "The House which you have provided is so desirable a one, that we will be glad to accept it for the President, if you will permit us on the part of the Confederate States to relieve the City of Richmond from any expense to which they have been put."
The Committee of Richmond's response to Memminger's letter, dated 8 July 1861, is on page three. "We had the honor to report your letter of the 24th June to the Common Council of this City, and are instructed to reply, that pleased as the city would have been the acceptance of the proposition in our communication of the 20th June yet she cannot decline the qualification which it is your pleasure to annex to it." Noted as a copy on page three.
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