_Boston_, [_April 27._] I received permission from the Secretary of
the Treasury to ship the powder, shot, saddle, bridle, tar, pitch, and
rope, but I had to consign these, with the hats, to General Saxton,
from whom you will have to obtain an order for them. The tobacco,
shoes, rice, and buggy are not contraband. They were going to stop the
hats, on the ground that they were "adapted for military uniforms,"
and I had to get a "character" from one of my friends, a clerk in the
Custom House, and then assure the crusty old Collector that the hats
were not to be used for any illegal purpose, before he would let them
pass.