| From the Southern Banner (Athens,
Ga.) |
| |
| December 10, 1862 |
| |
| Interesting Correspondence |
| We copy from the Atlanta
Intelligencer ***** |
| Executive Department |
| Milledgeville, November 27th, 1862 |
| |
| Col. John Harris |
| Covington, Ga. |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your communication. The question of the
salt supply is one of the first importance to our people, and I
cheerfully comply with your request. We are now making 500 bushels per
day at the State Works at Saltville, Va. The Troup Company is making
600 bushels per day, and the Georgia or Augusta Company 300 bushels
per day, making an aggregate of 1400 bushels daily. -- These two
companies are acting under the sanction of the State with the distinct
understanding that they are not to sell on speculation, but as soon as
they have supplied their own stockholders they are to sell to citizens
at prices which will only cover all costs and charges. While this
daily production if promptly brought forward, will not be sufficient
to supply the wants of our people, and save all the meat which will
soon be ready to be slaughtered, it will supply a great part of the
demand. In addition to this, there is a considerable quantity made
daily upon the coast. The question, how is the balance of the supply
to be obtained? is an important one. My opinion is, that there is
enough in the hands of speculators, hid away in the cellars and other
places in cities and towns to supply the rest of the demand. This will
only be brought out a few sacks at a time, and so at most exorbitant
prices, under the influence of a panic produced by the supposed
deficiency in the supply. |
| If the General Assembly now in
session should feel authorized to pass a law empowering some officer
of the State, to open the dark places where the salt is hid and bring
it to light, and to pay the holders reasonable and just compensation
for it, and to distribute it at fair prices among the destitute
portion of our people, such relief would give new strength and vigor
to our cause. If it is objected that this only can be done by the
State for public use, it seems to my mind to be a sufficient reply to
say, that when the very existence of the State is threatened, and our
people are actually suffering for one of the most indispensable
necessaries of life, when our armies in the field are likely to be
demoralized by the accounts of the suffering of those dependent upon
them at home, and when not only the whole property of the State, but
the life and liberty of every citizen is at stake -- that which
affords substantial and indispensable relief may be properly taken to
avert this great public calamity; and that such taking is as much an
appropriation of private property for public use, as is the taking of
the farmer's bacon and corn to support the army which is kept in the
field, to defend the existence of the State. If the army is not
supported, we are conquered and if the army is demoralized by the
suffering of their families and friends at home, caused by the unholy
exactions of heartless cormorants, who, for the sake of gain, will
feed upon the very vitals of society, the same result must follow. But
I am digressing somewhat from the purpose of this letter. |
| To your inquiry about
transportation, I have to reply, that the railroads through East
Tennessee have not sufficient rolling stock to meet the demands for
the military and other local business, and transport our salt. It is
therefore necessary for us to send trains from this state to do our
own carrying. I have recently sent as many trains from the State Road {Western
& Atlantic RR} as we could possibly spare; but on account of the heavy demands upon
our Road by the Government for transportation since the return of Gen.
Bragg's army to East Tennessee, and of the fact that we have already
lost 180 cars while on other Roads, under the control of the military,
which were mostly cut off while upon the Memphis & Charleston Road
when the Abolitionists took Huntsville, it is impossible for the State
Road to supply the necessary engines and cars to bring the salt from
Saltville. It is understood that there is an accumulation of about one
hundred car loads of salt {about 6 train loads} for
Georgia there at present. In this state of things, I appealed to some
of the Presidents of the company Roads in this State for assistance.
Mr. Cuyler, the President of the C. R. Road {Central
(of Georgia) RR}, promptly put a train
subject to my direction, and cars enough from the South Western Road
to make up part of another train. Soon after this the General Assembly
passed a resolution authorizing me to seize trains for this purpose in
case I cannot obtain them upon reasonable terms, to bring in the
State's salt now at the works. This resolution limits power to seize
cars to such numbers as may be necessary for the removal of the
present accumulation only, and does not provide for like emergencies
in future. Believing that this was an oversight in the Legislature, I
cannot doubt that they will amend the resolution as to provide for the
transportation of the future times as well as present productions of
our works. Since the resolution was passed, Mr. Scott, of the M. &
W. R. Road {Macon & Western RR}, has sent one engine and six cars, to which Mr. Cuyler has
added cars to make up the balance of the train; and Judge King of the
Georgia Road has also sent a part of a train for the salt service.
These three trains with one from the State will be expected to run
constantly between Georgia and Saltville till all the salt on hand
belonging to the State, or her companies or citizens, (which is not
intended for speculation,) is brought forward. |
| Every company or citizen of
this State who has purchased or made salt in Virginia, for home
supply, will be permitted to pass over the State Road free of charge,
upon filing in the office of the Master of Transportation, an
affidavit that the salt is for home consumption only, and that no part
of it shall be sold on speculation. |
| The State of Georgia was the
first to obtain a contract and engage in the manufacture of salt for
her people, at the Virginia works. The contracts which the State and
her companies have secured there, are more favorable than any obtained
by any other State or her companies; and I think I may say with truth,
that none have been conducted with better economy or pressed forward
with greater energy. |
| If we are not interrupted by
the enemy, we shall be able to make an ample supply for the next year.
I am, very respectfully your ob't servant. |
| Joseph E. Brown |
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