I would wish that my agency in this transaction be kept private _until I reach Washington_, or indeed till I write to say the arms are on their way to Columbia.... [Sidenote] Ibid. THOS. F. DRAYTON TO GOVERNOR GIST. CHARLESTON, 8th Nov., 1860. I have just received your letter of the 7th inst., and I think I can render you all the information you desire, without resorting to any agent. If my ability can only be made to keep pace with my zeal, I hope yet to render some service to the dear old State of South Carolina. [Illustration: THE WIGWAM AT CHICAGO IN WHICH LINCOLN WAS NOMINATED.] [Sidenote] MS. Confederate Archives. THOS. F. DRAYTON TO GOVERNOR GIST. CHARLESTON, 16th Nov., 1860. I have been most reluctantly detained here by an accidental fall, and also by business of an urgent kind associated with the railroad. My absence from Washington, however, has not delayed the execution of your order for the rifles; the Secretary of War has had the preparation of them in hand for some time. When I write to you from Washington, had I not better address you through your private secretary ... Please address me at Washington to the care of Wm. H. Trescott, Esq. ... I will give strict attention to your letter of the 7th inst., and hope to furnish you with much of the information you desire, for I am quite sensible of the importance of knowing the views and policy of the President at this juncture. [Sidenote] MS. Confederate Archives. THOS. F. DRAYTON TO GOVERNOR GIST. WASHINGTON, 19th Nov., 1860.