| Summary: | In the letter Lapsley discusses possible coal supplies to the foundry in Selma, if the Confederate government establishes an armory there. In particular he mentions the estimates given by William P. Browne, who plans to discuss the matter with McRae in Richmond. Lapsley also discusses the need for more weapons: "The war spirit is up, and if a supply of suitable arms was at hand, there would upon a call by the Governor, be a rush to the points threatened. But it would be folly or madness for men without arms, to rush to meet a foe thoroughly armed and equipped....And what have we done, what are we doing to meet the tremendious [sic] onslaughts about to be made upon us on every side, and at all points? Are we ready?" In a postscript, he describes the property and facilities of the Shelby Iron Company, of which he will soon become a part owner; he hopes that the government will purchase the company's ore for use in the Selma foundry.
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