Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

[171] to its appropriations, and I knew that under the law no money in the treasury could be used for the purpose of moving troops, until appropriation could be made by the legislature, which had adjourned. While reflecting upon this in the train on my way to Boston next day, I observed in the same car with me James G. Carney, Esq., president of the Bank of Mutual Redemption, of Boston, who lived in Lowell, and was going down to his duties. I took a seat near him, and explained the situation, as I have above stated it, and asked him if it were not possible for his bank to allow the governor to draw upon it for money to a considerable amount in order to put the troops in motion; and if it could be done, I desired to take to the governor a letter making the tender. I also asked him if he would recommend my detail as brigadier-general. He assured me that he would see if the money could be tendered, and I took a carriage with him, and rode down to his bank. On our arrival, Mr. Carney wrote the following letter, which I carried to the governor:--

bank of mutual redemption, Boston, Mass., April 16, 1801.
his excellency, John A. Andrew, Governor:

Sir:--Supposing it to be not impossible that the sudden exigencies of the case may call for the use of more money than may be at the immediate command of the Treasurer of the Commonwealth, in the treasury, I write to offer to place to the credit of the State, the extreme amount the law now allows us to loan it, and remain,

Very respectfully,

Your ob. st.,

Jas. G. Carney, Prest.

Mr. Carney also said he would himself go around to the other banks, and see if they would not all make a like offer. He told me he did this, and the result was that there was more than three and a half million dollars to the credit of the Commonwealth, upon a draft of the governor, before night.

With President Carney's letter in my possession, I went to Governor Andrew, and asked him to detail me to command the troops that were to go to the seat of war. The governor received me very kindly and said:--