Selma, Ala., June 6, 1862
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| Hon. James A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
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| The undersigned, president of the Alabama &
Mississippi Rivers Railroad Company, acting under instructions of
the Board of Directors of said company, respectfully shows that it
is indispensable for the early completion as well as efficient
operation of the railroad under his charge to be supplied with iron
spikes, chairs, and bolts required for the construction of the
incomplete portion of the road, and in keeping the finished portion
in repair. Iron is also required for repairs of machinery,
especially iron tires for the wheels of locomotives, which on a
portion of the locomotives have become so worn by constant use as to
render them almost unfit for service, and without new tires these
locomotives will ere long become entirely unfit for service. New
locomotives cannot now be obtained in the Confederate States. Your memorialist has succeeded in procuring spikes sufficient for the
construction of about one-third of the incomplete portion of the
road, but there is no further supply within his reach. He has made
application for the spikes and other iron necessary to the only iron
manufactory where there seemed any prospect of procuring a
supply--that is, the Shelby County Iron Manufacturing Company, a new
company which is engaged in preparations for the extensive
manufacture of iron. This company would agree to furnish the iron
required, but say they are under obligation to deliver to the
Government all the iron they will be able to make for the next
twelve months beyond what will be required to fill certain contracts
made prior to their contract with the Government; but that if
permitted by the Government they will supply the iron required by
the company of memorialist. This may be done without diminishing
materially the supply of iron intended for the Government. As this
is one of the roads deemed by Congress and the Government essential
in military operations -- "a military necessity" -- it is
unnecessary that the undersigned should speak of the importance of
its completion, as his company is striving to do at the earliest day
practicable, and that when completed its machinery should be in a
condition to furnish promptly and regularly means for the heavy and
constant transportation which will doubtless be required by the
Government. To accomplish this a supply of iron is indispensable,
and, as stated above, the only known source whence a supply can be
obtained is the iron establishment referred to. Your memorialist
therefore respectfully requests that permission be given to the
Shelby County Iron Manufacturing Company to furnish this iron.
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| Most respectfully submitted |
| G. G. Griffin |
| President |
| By W. S. Knox |
| Secretary and Treasurer |
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| [First indorsement] |
| Chief of Ordinance |
| To what extent can the Shelby County Iron
Manufacturing Company be permitted to delay their contract with the
Government in order to furnish iron for the railroad? It is of great
importance, and we desire to complete it as rapidly as possible.
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| G. W. R. |
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| [Second indorsement] |
| Hon. Colin J. McRae having begun work at
Selma, or near there, on the supposition of receiving this iron to
be used there for Government purposes, and the contract having been
made through him, the question will be referred to him. I have
written to him on the subject.
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| J. Gorgas |
| Colonel, etc. |
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