(Cipher)
City Point July 20th/64
E. M. Stanton Sec. of War
I must enter my protest against States sending recruiting Agents into the Southern States for the purpose of filling their quotas. The negroes brought within our lines are rightfully recruits to the United States Service and should not go to benefit any particular state. It is simply allowing Massachusetts (I mention Mass. because I see the order of the Governor of that state for establishing recruiting agencies in the South and see no such order from any other state authority.) to fill her quota by paying an amount of money to recruits the United States have already got. I must also enter my protest against recruiting from prisoners of War. Each one enlisted robs us of a soldier and adds one to the enemy with a bounty paid in loyal money.
U. S. GRANT
Lt. Gen.