| Richmond Va |
| Sept 16, 1863 |
| |
| His Excellency |
| John Milton |
| Governor of Florida |
| |
| Sir, |
| Your favor of August 18th has
been received and the important topics discussed in it have received
from me the attention due not only to your high official position but
also to your patriotic and thoroughgoing devotion to the cause in which
we are engaged. |
| ***** |
| The earnest and searching manner in which
you have taken up this whole question of posts held by incumbents who
should be in the ranks is but another proof of the zeal which you
everywhere manifest for the success of the Confederate cause. And this
is still further made evident in the correspondence laid before me by
you in regard to the removal of the iron on the Florida Rail Road. You
need of course Sir, no assurance from me, that that correspondence does
not derogate from you high position, but it is gratifying to me to be
able to say to you that in this time of our trouble when so many are
disposed to withhold from the Confederate Government the means of
success, you should occupy the high stand point of strengthening its
hands by all the means in you power and of nobly disregarding all
considerations except the common weal. In this you are not only the
Governor but the Representative of the people of Florida. |
| I think Sir, that the action
of the War Department may avoid some of the legal objections and
technical obstacles interposed to prevent the accomplishment of a work
which we both deem necessary for the proper defence of Florida, while at
the same time this action may not in its practical workings differ very
widely from the policy you prefer. |
| The Secretary of War has
approved the route selected by the Engineer Bureau as combining the
greatest advantages, that route being the Rail Road connection East of
the Alapaha River. This I understand is sanctioned by your own judgment.
Satisfied of the necessity of this connection, the Secretary of War
wishes to build it with the least delay and embarrassment practicable
and in pursuance of this purpose proposes to use for its construction
iron impressed or otherwise obtained y the Confederate Government, in
such manner as will not subject it to the imputation of fostering a
rival enterprize at the expense of the Florida Road. However groundless
and unjust such a charge might be it would seem well to avoid anything
which might serve to invite the popular mind of East Florida, in
opposition to the removal of the iron from the Florida Rail Road. |
| The use of this iron for the
general purposes of the Government rendered necessary by military
exigencies cannot excite to active and partisan a spirit of opposition
as if employed in building this connection and it is destined to execute
this measure so unpalatable to those whose interests are involved with
as little harshness as may be. It is hoped that your discretion may
reconcile them to it in the form presented and that your cordial support
and patriotic firmness may repress any undue opposition should such be
offered. I trust that the plan adopted by the Secretary may meet your
full approval. I again beg leave to renew the assurance of my esteem. |
| Very Respectly Yours |
| &c &c |
| Jefferson Davis |