| State of North Carolina |
| Executive Department |
| Raleigh Febry 26th, 1863 |
| |
| To the Prest. & Directors |
| of the N. C. R. R. Co. {North
Carolina RR} |
| |
| Gentlemen, |
| I regret that a great press
of business accumulated by a recent absence from home, renders it our
of my power to attend your meeting, especially so, as it was called by
Mr. Webb at my request. I am compelled therefore to put my proposal
before you in writing. |
| The great necessity, of both
the country and Army renders the subject of transportation of the most
vital importance and it was with the view of doing something if
possible, to increase the power & efficiency of you Road that I
asked Mr. Webb to call this meeting. Being the main trunk road of the
State, into which all the other roads discharge themselves it is not
to be wondered at that it should have proved itself unable to meet the
demands upon it. Without intending any reflection whatsoever upon the
management of the Road, it may, I think be fairly said, it is
overtaxed and is clearly unequal to the task of transporting the
freight which is waiting upon it. The supreme importance of that
required for the use of our Army, is acknowledged, whilst the wants of
the State in corn for the poor, and the Cotton bought to redeem our
obligations abroad, are scarcely less so. I am able to see but one
remedy and that is to permit the Atlantic & N. C. R. R. Company to
take charge of and work the Eastern section of your road from this
place to Goldsboro for such length of time and under such terms as you
may think best. Having the unemployed rolling stock and employees
&c. I am convinced that Company can work it well and that it would
give the balance of your road the motive power to put new life and vigor
into its operations. |
| With my limited experience in
railroad matters, I shall not argue the proposition. I could give
gentlemen of your experience no new light, I am confident. But I am
assured by four fifths of all railroad men with whom I have conversed,
that the arrangement could be made without loss to your road and with
infinite advantage to the public and would be greatly superior to the
plan proposed in lieu thereof -- of running cars of other companies
over it by permission. I beg leave also to remind you of the very
great importance of prompt and regular communication, in a military
point of view between this place and Goldsboro, which we now do not
enjoy. I am aware Gentlemen of the extreme repugnance with which an
independent rail road Co. would regard a proposition to farm out a
portion of their road to another on various accounts. And I should
feel great delay in making the proposition, did I not sincerely
believe that the public interest, before which every minor
consideration must give way, imperatively demands it. |
| Trusting that you may so
regard it and if so, confident that you will promptly give the
proposition at least a trial. |
| I have the honor to be
Gentlemen |
| Most truly & Respectfully |
| Yr. obt. svt. |
| Z. B. Vance |
|