NP, NP 5/5/1861

From the Nashville Patriot
 
May 5, 1861
 
From the ??. ??? {Mt. Irwin?} Journal
   The following correspondence took place a few days since between Judge Milton Brown, President of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad and Col. B. M. Prentiss, Commandant Illinois Volunteers at this place:
 
Cairo April 27th, 1861
 
Col. C. B. Prentiss, Com. Ill. V., at Cairo:
 
Dear Sir,
   Representing the Mobile & Ohio Railroad Co., and in common with the Illinois Central Railroad, deeply interest in the trade and travel between the North and South, and to allay all possible misapprehension, I desire to propound respectfully the following questions:
   1st. Can I safely say to persons desiring to ship freight through, or by Cairo, that they will be safe in doing so?
   2d. Will boxes shipped through, or by Cairo, be subject to examination of the contents by being opened?
   3. Can I say to all travelers that they will in passing through Cairo, be protected in their persons and property?
   4th. May I assure the public that the steamers running between the Illinois Central and Mobile & Ohio Railroads will not be interfered with, and will be protected is a peaceful neutrality?
   I have the honor to be, most respectfully, yours, &c.,
Milton Brown
Prest. M. & O. R. R. Co.
 
To which Col. Prentiss replied as follows:
 
Cairo, April 27th, 1861
 
Judge Milton Brown
 
Dear Sir,
   I have the honor to reply to your letter of this date, as follows:
   To your first question I answer -- Yes, Sir; provided said freight is not for arming or equipping the enemies of the United States Government?
   To your second question I answer -- they will not, unless information has been previously received that they contain arms and munitions of war destructive to the United States Government!
   To your third question I answer -- Yes; provided, however, that said property be not munitions of war, destined to the enemies of the United States Government. We should be surprised to know that our civilized brethren, anywhere, have a doubt that we would protect persons passing through here, except the active enemies of the United States Government.
I am, very respectfully, &c.,
B. M. Prentiss
Commandant

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