| March 3d, 1863 |
| |
| Col. J. D. Whitford {President,
Atlantic & North Carolina RR} |
| |
| Dr. Sir, |
| It seems I did not fairly
understand you in regard to the iron on your road, when we last talked
together. In January I gave Robinson a permit to take up the torn up
iron below Kinston, and I did not intend to countermand that
permission. |
| This was the first
proposition I made to the Sec'y of the Navy which he first declined.
Having afterwards agreed to it, I could not well back out. They
propose to return it six months after peace, and I see no way to
refuse it without laying myself liable to a charge of being
indifferent to the public defense. |
| Very truly |
| Z. B. Vance |
|