| From the Junior Register (Franklin, La.) |
| |
| March 13, 1862 |
| |
| New Orleans & Texas R. R. |
| Large Amount of Negro Labor, Materials and Provisions Wanted as
Stock |
| Messrs. Editors: |
| As one of the Directors and the Agent of the Company, I
propose to visit Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Mary, St. Martin, Lafayette,
St. Landry, Rapides and other Parishes, to make arrangements for stock
subscriptions by the planters in labor, materials &c., upon the
following reasons: |
| This company was chartered by the recent Legislature of
Louisiana, and endowed with over 400,000 acres of land to build the
railroad from New Iberia to the Sabine River, thus completing the
connection between New Orleans and Houston, the railroad center of
Texas. In a commercial point of view there can be no more important and
profitable road, for an immense business is now waiting, for which there
can be no competition. Among the items are 150,000 head of beef cattle
and other stock; 100,000 tons of merchandise, wheat, flour, salt, sugar,
molasses and products of the forest; 60,000 bales of cotton, $110,000
worth of carriage of mails, express freight, wool, hides, &c.; $75,000
worth of transportation of troops, munitions, Government stores, &c.;
all of which would make the annual net earnings of the road, according
to careful estimates, of least $600,000 to $800,000 per annum, so
that the stock must be immensely profitable. |
| But the great reason for building the road at this time
-- the only one in fact which induces us to attempt it now -- is the
MILITARY NECESSITY. The enemy commands the sea to attack any portion of
our coast, and it is hence, important that we should have equivalent
means of land transportation, such as the road from here to Houston and
beyond, to facilitate the movement of forces, munitions and supplies. If
the coast of Louisiana or Texas be attacked, and we attempt defense,
more than the cost of the road would be saved each year; besides that,
mutual and adequate assistance could be rendered. Look at the infinite
value of the line of roads from Norfolk to Harper's Ferry -- the enemy
having the Potomac, Chesapeake, railroads, &c. It is the salvation of
our cause there; and it illustrates the vast military importance, in
repelling attack of the work we now attempt. Its completion six months
ago would have saved hundreds of lives, and much expense to the
Government, and largely augmented our armies and stores of arms and
powder; besides bringing bread, meat, salt, &c., abundant and cheap, to
this great center and magazine, and military supplies, as well as to the
planting community -- who, on the other hand, would now have all of
Texas as a market for their sugar and molasses. |
| We therefore propose to the planters of Texas,
Louisiana and Mississippi: "Help us build this road; subscribe your
labor, provisions and railroad materials, as others do their money, for
stock. Patriotism should prompt this, even if the stock be worthless,
just as it would prompt you to build forts, field works, bridges,
military roads, &c., for the defense of the country. The property
created by the labor belongs absolutely to the owners of the labor, and
is profitable while the blockade lasts." |
| We have already received many propositions from
planters upon the above basis, and we do not doubt success. |
| Due notice will be given of my arrival in the
respective parishes. |
| Yours, |
| B. J. Sage |
|