1862 October 29 Lynchburg, Va.

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, bank officer and former diplomat with five sons in the Confederate Army]

Wednesday 29  Glorious weather
no rumors to day of any kind
worked very hard--not long before
leaving the Bank, McDaniel enter
-ed and referring to an enquiry he
made the other day whether I had
indulged in speculation, said he &
Irby had concluded to make an
offer to me which he supposed I would
take time to consider and accept
His plan is this.  I to give him my
note for $5000 without endorsers-
He will get it discounted in the
savings Bank-I to place the sum
to the credit of McD & I--On this
[?] they will buy for my
account $15,000 worth of tobacco
They think I cannot fail of realizing
in the course of two or three months
several thousands dollars without
any risk--Mr Miller thinks I ought
to accept the offer.  I was certainly
very much surpirzed at the li-
berality of these gentlemen.  They intend
it as a mark of their friendship &
good feeling.  I shall sleep upon
the proposal, but think I shall ac
cept it.



MSS 4763