Executive Department
Montgomery, Ala., March 31st 1863
His Excellency Z. B. Vance
Governor of North Carolina
Raleigh
Sir
The Quartermaster of the University of Alabama has just returned from a trip through the seaboard States for the purpose of purchasing stores for the Corps of Cadets, without success in procuring clothes for uniforms.
Understanding through him that the Factories in your State are under contracts with or control of the State authorities, I respectfully request, that, if consistent with previous arrangements or the necessities of your own supply, you would grant permission for Col L. C. Garland, Superintendent of the Alabama University Corps of Cadets, to contract with the "Mountain Leland Factory" to manufacture twelve hundred (1200) yards Gray Cassimere for Cadet uniforms.
I know of no Factory, nearer than your own State, where such goods are manufactured, and your compliance will be esteemed as a favor to the State of Alabama, to be reciprocated when opportunity may offer by
Your Obt Servt
Jno. Gill Shorter,
Govr of Alabama
