FHS, FL 7/15/1863

Executive Department
Tallahassee July 15th 1863
 
General G T Beauregard
Charleston S. Carolina
 
General,
   Your esteemed favor of the 6th inst was received by due course of mail. The correspondence between the Hon D. L. Yulee President of the Florida Railroad Company and myself, has been canceled by the two letters, copies of which are enclosed herewith, and to which your attention is especially and most respectfully invited. I regret to claim any portion of your valuable time at this critical moment, but I believe my official position makes it a duty to the State of Florida, and to yourself under whose military protection the State has been placed to the entire satisfaction of its citizen and to the civil Authorities.
   A glance at the map and a knowledge of the forces and their positions in East Florida, will suggest the facilities afforded to the enemy to capture the Florida Railroad and to use it for the subjugation of the portion of the State. If therefore the iron in the parts of the track which have been alluded to in the correspondence, is not necessary to connect the Pensacola & Georgia Railroad with the Albany & Gulf road and to extend the former to Chattahoochee, still, its removal to a place of safety where it would be beyond the reach of the enemy, it seems to me is required by the interests of the State as the principal Stockholder, and the proper defence of that portion of the State demand it, unless we had assurances of large reinforcements, which we have not and cannot expect.
   Having read & considered, be pleased to forward the correspondence to the Secretary of War.
I have the honor to be
General, Respectfully
John Milton
Govr of Florida

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