Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac
| Railroad Company, President's Office |
| Richmond, February 12, 1863 |
| |
| Hon. James A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| I understand the result of your
conversation yesterday with Capt. John M. Robinson to be this: That
the War Department of the Government of the Confederate States, in
order to secure the importations of munitions of war, is now
engaged, through its agent in Great Britain, in purchasing
steamships in which those munitions will be imported into a port or
ports of the Confederate States, and considering these supplies,
which are necessary to the maintenance of the railroads in these
States which propose to import them, as scarcely less essential to
the success of our arms than these munitions of war (if not in some
sense entitled to be considered themselves munitions of war), the
War Department agrees that a certain portion of the cargoes of these
steamships, to be determined by the War Department or its agent in
Great Britain, may consist of these supplies for these railroads
upon the payment by the companies owning those railroads of the
tolls or freight charges prevailing among shipowners for similar
freights and voyages at the dates of such shipments, or at the
option of these railroad companies, upon their assuming and paying
for such a portion of the steamship, her equipment, and outfit
complete, and of all the other expenses of the voyage, including
(if paid by the War Department also) the wages of her
commander and crew, as the tonnage of freights shipped in that ship
and on that voyage shall be of the whole tonnage of the whole cargo
shipped in that ship and on that voyage.
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| As it will be necessary to have upon this
subject the definite decision and action this afternoon of the
directory of this company, and to-morrow at noon of a convention of
the railroad companies interested, may I ask of you the favor to
indorse on this letter (of which a copy can be retained in the
Department) your written statement confirming, or if necessary
modifying, the understanding herein expressed, so that these
meetings of the directory and of the convention may have,
respectively, a written definite proposition to act upon.
|
| Your prompt reply will greatly oblige |
| With much respect, your obedient servant |
| P. V. Daniel, Jr. |
| President |
| |
| [First indorsement] |
| February 26, 1863 |
| |
| The Department can make no contract with the
railroad companies for the shipment from abroad of such needed
supplies for their roads as they may buy, for its own arrangement
for the procurement and employment of suitable vessels for running
the blockade and making such shipment are as yet too contingent and
uncertain to justify its coming under any positive engagements. The
Department, however, fully appreciates the importance to the public
service that these railroad supplies should be obtained as early and
with as little risk as possible, and gives its assurance of
willingness, in case its expected arrangements are completed, and it
can command the requisite vessels, to allow the supplies of the road
to be shipped on its vessels, the road either taking a share in the
venture of ship and cargo for the voyage proportionate to the value
of their lading or paying freight at the existing rates on vessels
proposing to run the blockade.
|
| James A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| [Second indorsement] |
| The railroad companies referred to in the
above indorsement are authorized to send that indorsement with their
instructions to Captain Robinson, of the Confederate service, who is
expected to act as their agent in procuring abroad necessary
supplies, and he will be at liberty to exhibit the same to Major
Huse or Mr. William G. Crenshaw, or any other agent of this
Department who may, under its instructions, have shipping at command
for transportation of supplies to satisfy them of the views of this
Department.
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| J. A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
|