| Engineer Bureau |
| 30 Sept. 1863 |
| |
| Hon. R. Jevison(?) Jr. |
| Prest. N. E. & S. W. Alabama R. R. Co. {President,
Northeast & Southwest Alabama RR} |
| Tuscaloosa, Ala. |
| |
| Sir, |
| The Bureau is informed that the Rail Road
Co. of which you are President, contemplates leasing to the Mobile
& Ohio R. R. Co. that portion of your Road which lies between
Meridian & York. |
| As it is apprehended that this arrangement
would, if carried out, have the effect of seriously interfering with
Government transportation, I have been directed by the Hon. Secretary
of War to urge upon your Directors the following considerations. The
Mobile & Ohio R. R. Co. once in possession of your road, would be
tempted by its present contracts to turn aside transportation from the
former districts, to its now indirect larger & more expensive,
line of communication. The Alabama & Mississippi {Rivers}
Rail Road forms on the contrary a natural continuation of your
Road, & the union of the two, under the same administration,
ensures to the Government the shortest & least expensive line of
transportation. Under the circumstances the Government expresses the
hope that lease will not be made to the Mobile & Ohio, but will be
continue as heretofore to the Alabama & Mississippi {Rivers}
Rail Road Co. |
| In consideration of the liberal aid
afforded by the Government in the construction of the Road in
question, its wishes, as here expressed, are entitled to exercise
great weight in determining the action of your company. |
| Very Respectfully |
| Yr. obt. Servant |
| A. L. Rives |
| Lt. Col. & Actg. Chf. Bu. |
|