| Richmond, Octr. 2d 1862 |
| |
| A. S. Gaines |
| Demopolis, Ala. |
| |
| The Government has no right to impress
slaves and it must not be attempted. I will telegraph to Governor
Shorter and request him to make an appeal to the planters to hire
their negroes to the {Alabama &
Mississippi Rivers} Rail Road Company. |
| Geo. W. Randolph |
| Sec. of War |
| |
| Sent by telegram |
|