| Wilmington, N. C. Nov 28, 1862 |
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| {Sent to N. C.
Governor Vance, but salutation not provided in the printed version.} |
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| Your telegram of 26th duly
recd and replied to day. The meeting of stockholders of W &
Manchester rr {Wilmington & Manchester RR} was yesterday adjourned until the 11th day of December;
one week after the meeting of the W & Weldon road {Wilmington
& Weldon RR}. It was proposed
by our friends to have the meeting on next Thursday the 4th two days
before that of the other road but our opponents favorable to the
present officials of the Weldon Road, fearing that some action would
be taken by us which might operate against their plans overruled us.
We cannot control the election of President in the W & Weldon
road without the cooperation of the Proxy of the W &
Manchester road, and the President of the latter who holds the proxy
and is the son in law of Mr Dickinson, one of the Directors of the
former and who is personally interested and urgently advocates
the election of Mr Wallace will not cast the vote for any other unless
a pretty sharp rod is held over him. If his, Mr Walkers election was in
jeopardy it might influence his action. The proxy of the State held by
our friends, together with the individual stock under our control will
enable us to elect any one as President of the Manchester road and Mr
Walker knowing this may be influenced to cooperate with us in the
proposed change at the Weldon road. This would certainly have
been the result if the Manchester meeting could have been held first.
If therefore it is desirable to make an inroad into the heretofore
alliance between the officers of the two roads by which each one
influenced the election of the other it must be done now, and if Mr
Walker with the knowledge that a majority of his stockholders desire a
change, which change can be made by his action and still persists in
opposition to their wishes, as much as I regard him personally and as
willing and indeed anxious as I have been to have him retain the
Presidency of the Manchester road, I would vote against him and put
another in his place, equally competent, but not tied down and to,
other influences than those now predominant I shall leave town in the
morning and return on Monday when I hope to be able to indicate some
suitable person to hold and vote the state proxy. There are very few
of our citizens yet returned, and as this whole matter is one
requiring advisement counsel and prudence and as the meeting of
Manchester Stockholders does not take place until the 11th proxo I
hope the delay may not producer any entanglements. If the
proxy were transferable I would suggest Genl Alex McRae as a proper
person, but he is in command of a company at Fort Fisher and might not
be able to attend or even to transfer. The question was raised at the
meeting yesterday as to the eligibility of a director to hold the
proxy but not decided -- the charter does no forbid it neither does
any by law. Mr W Wright gave his opinion when called upon as a legal
gentlemen that a director was competent to hold and exercise the
proxy, but I think the opinion of many was that a large proxy was held
by me, and the disposition was to decide adversely. But for this I
should have no objections to taking the responsibility. Many are
averse to taking the responsibility of holding and voting so large a
proxy and against the present Railroad influences. I myself have no
such scruples. I think the times and circumstances require Sand justify
strong measures and unshirking decision. I do not desire or wish by
any means to have the proxy but if no one better can be appointed I
would take the burthen and exercise the right even if the resignation
of my directorship became necessary for a qualification. It will be
important to know by 11 oclock Tuesday who will hold the proxy in the
Manchester, but I think it will be time enough to telegram to you on
Monday & receive reply. I hand inclosed the communication to Mr
Meares placed in my hands for delivery -- as he was not here I
retained and now hand it to you. |
| O. G. Parsley |
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