| Richmond |
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Nov. 16 1863 |
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P. V. Daniel Jr. Esqr Prest. {Richmond,
Fredericksburg & Potomac RR} |
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Dear Sir, |
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It gives me pleasure to reply to your communication for I
believe that the interest you are manifesting in producing a plan for
supplying the railways of the Confederacy if successful to be of vital
interest to its welfare in the prosecution of the war. I am satisfied
also that the great railway interests of the Confederate States can give
much aid to the Government at the same time that they benefit
themselves, in fact that a union of interests between the railways and
the Government would be mutually beneficial in obtaining the supplies
needed by each and the shipping necessary thereto. |
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Since you first broached the subject to me, now more than
eight months ago, the difficulties in affording a practical solution to
the object have much increased. |
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Our reverses have diminished in Europe the value of
Confederate Securities both of the Government and of Corporations, and
the blockade of the only two ports left to us east of the Mississippi
(Mobile & Wilmington) is now so rigid that we may look forward in a
short time to the impossibility of forcing it. Then the only possible
mode of import left to us will be by using the small creeks and inlets
that exist along both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts & it will be
necessary to procure vessels of small size and light draft that can
enter these inlets: none that I know of now used in running the blockade
are suitable. It would be an impossible task to the enemy to prevent the
exit & entrance of such vessels, but the cost of importing would be
increased from the necessity of transporting importations from the point
of debarkation to the nearest railway. I believe that the Government
will be forced to adopt measures of this kind for supplying themselves. |
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It is then my opinion that the joint action of our leading
railways in offering their first mortgage bonds or promissory notes in
England or France, in connection with bonds or promises on the part of
the Government would enable a utility of both on equal share to
establish a credit that would supply the means of procuring vessels and
cargoes, especially if one third interest was left open to foreign
capitalists who might be willing to embark in the scheme: The export of
cotton would afterwards maintain it. |
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I believe that the railways have the power to effect this
of themselves, for abroad their securities are regarded as of more value
than those of the Government as is evidenced I think by the negotiations
I effected for the few companies that tested the matter, but it would be
both patriotic and wise in our railway Companies to aid thee Government
with their credit by an exchange of it at home if necessary, to the
extent of the purchase of a certain number of vessels, or at least by
uniting their credits abroad with the Government in a partnership
ownership of vessels. The tax upon each company would be small & the
advantages great, certainly the reciprocating of benefit to each party
would not be very unequal, and I am sure that your company would wish it
as would the one I in part represent. |
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The details of a scheme of the kind I have given you are
not very complex and will readily occur to you. |
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I am yours faithfully |
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Jno. M. Robinson {Captain of Engineers in CS
Army and General Superintendent of Seaboard & Roanoke RR} |