[CIVIL WAR]. YANCEY, William Lowndes (1814-1863). Leader of the Southern "Fire-Eaters." Autograph letter signed ("W.L. Yancey"), to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Richmond, [VA], 6 April 1862. ENDORSED AND INITIALED BY DAVIS.

3 1/4 pages, on bifolium, 7 7/8 x 12 3/16 in. Mounted to larger sheet along folded edge, old folds, light toning and ink staining to back page. Docketed and endorsed ("J.D.") by Jefferson Davis on verso.

Yancey writes regarding the procurement of arms from Europe, claiming "a full personal knowledge" of the capacities of European manufacturers to supply arms. Yancey points out the conflict between arms procurement agent Caleb Huse's prejudice for "the most superior rifled arms," and the European market's ability to provide those weapons. He notes, however, that there are plenty of smooth bore muskets to be obtained in Europe "if the pains is taken to find them.

He advises CSA President Davis that additional officers should be put to the task of obtaining arms contracts with European manufacturers in order to supply the great abundance of arms the Confederacy will need moving forward. He secondly advises that more money will need to be sent in advance to pay and keep these contracts.

Yancey calls out the calamity that would have befallen the CSA due to an earlier shortage of said funds: "I notice in Mr Memminger's statement of amounts of money sent to the Agents of the War Depm't, that in the most critical period of our contracts in England, that between 25th Sept. and 19th January, near 4 months, he only sent $1,031.00. The consequence was that Capt Huse had to beg an advance from S. Isaac, Campbell & Co to amount of half a million dollars. Had this house not have generously aided us, we should have lost every contract, and with them some 50,000 muskets delivered in that period & since."

Turning to the apparent plans to bolster CSA forces with additional soldiers, Yancey spells out his fervent recommendation: "If we are to arm 200,000 additional men - or rather obtain 2 or 300,000 more muskets by fall, not only will you be compelled to send additional officers, imbued fully with your ideas, but a million of dollars a month, in advance."

He ends by couching his fervency with deference, requesting Davis's pardon and maintaining that his own suggestions are borne from solemn duty.

Davis's endorsement reads: "Secty of War, for attention and conference with Secty of Treasy. with a view to consultation &c."

Highly influential and prominent Southern politician William Lowndes Yancey was a vocal proponent for secession, authoring the Alabama ordinance of secession which was passed in January of 1861. He was also chosen to head the ultimately unsuccessful commission to present the Confederate cause to the governments of England and France later that year. He was elected to the first Confederate States Senate in February of 1862, and died the following year at his plantation home near Montgomery, Alabama.