NP, MT 5/30/1861

From the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph
 
May 30, 1861
 
We are permitted to copy the following letter dated
Macon & Western R. R. Company
Macon, Ga., May 16, 1861
 
Drake Mills, Esq., New York
 
   I have talked and written about the political troubles that are now agitating the two sections of our peaceful and happy country until I am worn out, and now see no prospect or anything but war and that the most devastating that history ever recorded. The great error in the Washington government and people of the North, has been, and is now, in not recognizing secession, and that a dissolution of the government has actually taken place. Had that been done in time, and proper means adopted to restore, I think its object might have been accomplished. It is idle to say the Union is unbroken, and equally so to say a union can be conquered. Men and means may destroy the Southern people, but it is (as I think will be found) impossible to conquer and subjugate them.
   The Road earnings have kept up much better than I expected. But I fear that a great decrease will begin and date from about this time. As you are aware, we had for several years been doing quite a profitable business in carrying goods westward; say goods shipped from New York to Upper Georgia, and to the various cities in Tennessee. This business is all stopped, and has been for three months, but its loss has been made up to us by the enormous shipments of grain and other provisions from Western cities, via Louisville, Cincinnati and St. Louis, to this, and places South and East of us; and now this source is cut off by order of the Washington government, -- stopping the shipment of provisions and supplies of all kinds from the points named to Seceded States. This will cut off our receipts immensely, with no prospect of recovering them again soon, if ever.
   The proclamation of Governor Brown to which you refer has no legal foundation. My present understanding is, that it will no prevent the payment of dividends -- that is, if we have anything to divide. I have no knowledge of any desire or thought of our people to confiscate property of foreigners, and do not believe there is at present any intention to do so. But if hostilities are commenced by your section, and pushed to the extent intimated by your journals, I should think there would be danger of a resort to measures of that kind. You can imagine, as well as I, what a people would be likely to do with the property of an enemy whose armies had invaded that country, and were destroying lives and property.
   Hoping that the All-wise Power that controls all things, may interpose and stop the strife, I remain yours truly,
Isaac Scott, President

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