On January 3, 1862, Johnson requested a sum of $3 million ($ as of ) from the Confederate Congress to meet the provisional government's operating expenses. The Congress instead approved a sum of $2 million, the expenditure of which required approval of Secretary of War Judah P. Benjamin and President Davis. Much of the provisional government's operating capital was probably provided by Kentucky congressman Eli Metcalfe Bruce, who made a fortune from varied economic activities throughout the war.
On January 3, 1862, Johnson petitioned a sum of $3 million (approximately ) from the Confederate Congress to cover the provisional government's operational costs. The Congress instead authorized a sum of $2 million, which necessitated approval from Secretary of War Judah P. Benjamin and President Davis. Much of the provisional government's operational capital was likely supplied by Kentucky congressman Eli Metcalfe Bruce, who amassed a fortune through diverse economic pursuits during the war.