| From Proceeding of the Advisory Council
of the State of
Virginia |
| |
| Wednesday, May 1, 1861 |
| |
| Present, John J. Allen, president;
Francis H. Smith, M. F. Maury, and Robert L. Montague. |
| The Governor submitted for
advice the following subjects: |
| ***** |
| A communication from Edward
C. Marshall, president of the Manassas Gap Railroad Company, calling
attention to the situation of a quantity of iron rails imported by
that company now lying in bond at the wharf in Alexandria, stating
that the custom-house at that place is still in the hands of the
United States Government, and that the officers will give
information of any attempt of the company to remove the rails
without paying duty, which the company is unwilling to pay, and to
pay in gold. That the United States Government could readily take
away these rails on board a man-of-war in one night, and the least
justification might tempt them to do so, as they might be useful for
the operations in and around Washington, while it would take a considerable time for the company to remove
them. He suggests that orders of the Governor for the removal of the
rails on State account would relieve the security for the duty from
responsibility, and also the collector, and quiet the apprehensions
of the people of Alexandria: Advised unanimously that the Governor give directions to abstain
from interfering for the present in any way with the custom-house at
Alexandria. |
| ***** |
| John J. Allen |
| Francis H. Smith |
| M. F. Maury |
| Ro. L. Montague |
|