On July 18, 1864 Confederate Treasury Secretary Christopher Memminger resigned and headed back home to South Carolina. 150 years ago this month some Virginia women presented him with a cane to thank him for the jobs he provided at the Treasury. From the Richmond Daily Dispatch August 19, 1864:
Presentation to ex-secretary Memminger.
–On Thursdayevening last, at Columbia, South Carolina, the Virginia ladies of the Treasury Bureau presented Mr. Memminger with a handsome walking cane, enriched by inscriptions bearing testimony that it was a tribute of gratitude from Virginia ladies. The following correspondence attended the presentation:
We, Virginia’s daughters, beg Mr. Memminger’s acceptance of the accompanying humble testimonial of our gratitude to him for the benefit he has conferred on us by inaugurating a department for the employment of ladies, who, through the exigencies of the times, have been compelled to resort to some means of support. We thank him for his untiring efforts in our behalf while we were under his rule, and offer him this tribute simply as a memento of our grateful regard.
To this Mr. Memminger replied:
Mr. Memminger has received with much satisfaction “the memento” with which the “daughters of Virginia” have honored him on his return home. Admiring as he does the spirit and fortitude evinced everywhere by the women of our country, he has witnessed, with increased satisfaction, the courage and perseverance with which so many highly-gifted ladies, who, before this war, knew neither care nor want, have been content to undertake the wearying duties which you now discharge. Many of you have given up brothers, fathers and husbands to the service of the country, and are now sustaining the families they have left by your daily labor. All have given up the comforts of home without murmur or repining. Mr. M. has fully appreciated your efforts and your fidelity. He has the pleasure of saying that you have faithfully discharged your duties, and that he regards it as one of the highest privileges of the office which he has just left, that he has been able to open a field of usefulness to so many ladies deserving of the highest respect and esteem.
You can read a biography of Mr. Memminger at NCPedia (he owned a summer home in North Carolina).
The Smithsonian presents a display of Memminger on a Confederate five dollar bill.
