Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 3.
Frank Moore, Ed.

I have credible information that sundry persons, in the cities of Mobile and Montgomery, and other parts of the State, are buying up the limited supply of the articles which are indispensable for the subsistence, clothing, and maintenance of our soldiers and people, for the purpose of monopolizing the trade in such articles, and realizing large and unreasonable profits. I deem it my duty to protest, in this public manner, against such conduct, and pronounce it unpatriotic and wicked; and I hereby notify all persons authorized to make purchases for the State of Alabama, not under any circumstances to buy at the unreasonable prices which may be exacted by such persons.

Those who would take advantage of the necessities of the country and its army, to enrich themselves by such means, cannot be regarded as its friends, and will meet with a merited retribution in due season. I have no condemnation or rebuke for merchants who are engaged in legitimate trade, and only exact just and reasonable profits. They subserve a purpose of unquestionable usefulness, by procuring and supplying the things which the people and the Government need; and they manifest alike their patriotism and integrity by continuing to pursue a course of legitimate trade, uninfluenced by the opportunities for monopoly and extortion. It is due to the community which has patronized such merchants, as well as to the country, that they should sell their merchandise only to persons needing them for consumption, and in such quantities as may be needed for that purpose; thus contributing to defeat the designs of the harpies, who would speculate upon the necessities of the times.