|
Atlanta Ga. Jany 5th 1863 |
| |
| Colonel J. F. Gilmer |
| Chief of Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond Va. |
| |
| Colonel, |
| Herewith please find a contract made with
the Ala. & Ten. River R. R. Co. and a mortgage executed to the
Government by said Company. The mortgage was drawn by Mr. Lapsley, a
director of, and the Atty. of the Company. The contract was drawn by
myself of the Government. I have generally found that the technical
language of lawyers has a tendency to mystify, rather than explain
contracts. I have endeavored to make the points plain, though they may
be rather clumsily expressed. The Company asked for the full time
mentioned in your instructions, but active preparations are being made
to push the work rapidly. I feel strong confidence in an early
completion of the work in Ala. embracing 37 miles. Already some 250
hands are engaged. |
| The point made in a former latter of
personal sincerity for so much of the loan as should be applied between
Blue Mountain & Jacksonville, about 9 1/2 miles. I concluded to waiver
and include the whole in the mortgage. No difficulty can arise from the
third of the value of the present finished work. |
| If the contract is approved by the
Secretary of War, it will be unnecessary to return the mortgage and
contract attached (which is intended as a copy) and have the same
recorded in the County of Calhoun & Cherokee Ala. The quadruplicate
contracts will then be forwarded for the endorsement of the Secretary of
War. |
| I enclose a certificate of the
expenditures of the Company in preparing for the prosecution of the
work, up to the 1st inst. This embraces a bill for teams, tools, &c.
purchased from Sol. Sam Tate, Military Superintendent of the Selma &
Meridian R. Road. The articles were appraised and turned over at the
appraisement prices to the Ala. & Ten. R. R. R. Co. and the
understanding is that it will be necessary for Col. Tate to receive the
amt. to close his accounts properly with the Govt. This bill amounts to
$8,300. I am informed by M. B. Pritchard Esq. Mil. Chf. Engr. of the
Selma & Meridian Railroad that a considerable portion of the tools used
on that work were ordered to Mobile. If the Department can furnish
shovels and axes, it will enable the Company to hasten the work. It is
hardly possible to procure these tools from other sources. |
| The company desire the Department to
advance $24,000 in addition to the amount certified to enable it to lay
in additional stores of forage and provisions, and I have framed the
certificate with a view to such advance. This will make the whole
advance $50,000. In my opinion the Department will incur no risk in the
advance asked for. |
| I had an interview with A. Shorter Esq.
Presdt of the Geo. & Ala. Railroad Co. at Rome on the 3d inst. That
Company is making preparation to commence work and are ready to enter
into contract with the Government on the conditions contained in the
contract now forwarded for your consideration. I suggest the expediency
of telegraphing us of the acceptance or rejection of the contract to
enable me to act with more promptness in regard to the contract with the
last mentioned Company. |
| Your letters of the 24th ultimo with blank
vouchers enclosed was received on yesterday on my return from Selma. |
| Very Respectfully |
| L. P. Grant |
| Capt. Engs P. A. |