William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

On the 3d of May, Governor Andrew addressed the following letter to President Lincoln:—

I hand you copy of a letter addressed to the Commissary-General, explaining the action they (the agents I have appointed) have taken to provide subsistence for our Massachusetts troops.

Cut off as we were from connection with you, I took the responsibility of providing and forwarding such things as could be bought advantageously here, believing they will be found useful to the army and navy.

I hope that you will direct the proper department to take charge of such of their supplies as are suitable to their use, and pay for the same, as suggested. We have, further, under the pressure of the exigency, taken the responsibility of joining the underwriters and merchants of Boston in buying, fitting out, and, with the help of Captain Hudson, arming two propellers, for the combined purpose of coast-guard and transports for troops and supplies.

Neither of the vessels is exactly what is wanted; but they are strong, useful, nearly new, and are bought at prices but little above their commercial value in peaceful times, and can hardly fail to be useful to the public service in the impending struggle. If you approve our action, will you be pleased to direct the proper departments, either to receive the vessels at their cost, as if bought for the United-States Government, or, if that is impossible, to give them employment in carrying stores and troops, at the highest prices which are paid to individuals, with the assurance that the vessels will be always at the disposition of Government, and will meantime be used to guard our coasts, and allay the apprehension of our people regarding the threatened piratical proceedings of the secessionists? A description of these vessels is annexed.

I beg leave to add, that, immediately upon receiving your proclamation, we took up the war, and have carried on our part of it in the spirit in which we believe the Administration and the American people intend to act; namely, as if there was not an inch of red tape in the world.

We have now enough additional men to furnish you with six more regiments to serve for the war, unless sooner discharged.

We think the efficiency of any further levies will be much greater if you will muster them, and put them into camps at once for some drilling here. The men we offer, besides fighting, can do any other things for which there may be occasion, from digging clams up to making piano-fortes.