Crimean texts
[Transcribed by Megan Stevens]
Sir, — Three days ago you informed us that a mercantile firm had offered to supply the army with three meals a-day at a cost of 3s. 3d. a-head, and to provide tents for 3d. more.
Will the Government accept the offer? There are sad misgivings. Let us see what our friends the French did in a similar emergency.
In 1823 they were about to lead an army into Spain. Magazines of corn had been formed at Bayonne and other places on the frontier, but, by a strange oversight, the means of transport were wholly wanting, and nothing had been done to provide forage for the horses.
“In these circumstances it seemed impossible for the troops to move forward, and so great was the alarm produced in Paris by the reports transmitted by the Duke d’Angoulême when he reached headquarters, that Government took the most vigorous measures to apply a remedy to the evil.
In this extremity the fortune of the expedition, and with it the destiny, for the time at least, of the Restoration, was determined by the vigour and capacity of one man, M. Ouvrard — a great French capitalist. The stepped forward and offered, on terms advantageous to himself, without doubt, but still more advantageous to the public, to put the whole supplies of the army on the most satisfactory footing, and to charge himself with the conveyance of all its artillery and equipages. The necessity of the case and the obvious inefficiency of the existing commissaries left no time for deliberation. The known capacity and vast credit of M. Ouvrard supported his offer, how giganticsoever [sic] it may have at first appeared, and in a few days a contract was concluded with the adventurous capitalist, whereby the duty of supplying entire furnishings for the army devolved on him. The contract was ratified at Paris, and, although it excited violent clamours at the time, as all measures do which disappoint expectant cupidity, the event soon proved that never had a wiser step been adopted. The magic wand of M. Ouvrard overcame everything; his golden key unlocked unheard-of magazines of every sort for the use of the troops; in a few days plenty reigned in all the magazines, the means of transport were amply provided, confidence was re-established at head-quarters, and the army, amply provided with everything, advanced in the highest spirits to the banks of the Bidassoa.”
These extracts are from Alison’s new History; but the facts are well known. Our case is one of greater necessity. Would that not only the rations and the tents, but the medicines and the stores too, could be put under contract!
Can you tell us whether Nasmyth has yet an order for wrought iron guns, or Eley for percussion caps; or whether goose-grease for frostbite meets with approval in high circles? I will not speak of more. We expect much from Mr. Layard, who has been on the spot, but we have little confidence elsewhere.
Your obedient servant,
ONE OF THE ANXIOUS.
Feb. 15.