LVA, VC 1/9/1863

Lynchburg  9 Jany 1863

 
Col. E. Fontaine  {President, Virginia Central RR}
 
Dear Sir,
   The first of last March I shipped from Warrenton six boxes & four Bbls of housekeeping goods amounting as far as Mrs Gray can remember to $1865.00. There were many articles packed up which she could not enumerate. These goods were brought as far as Gordonsville (I presume) and there remained until May. They arrived in Richmond on the eight day of last May. When I saw them the four bbls were emptied & four boxes were emptied. As I intended calling on the O&A R. R. for damages, I obtained from the Clerk at the Depot in Richmond a certificate of the fact that the boxes & bbls arrived there in the condition mentioned above. I applied to the directory of the O&A R. R. for damages, but they rejected my claim upon the plea that when their cars reachd Gordonsville the goods were delivered to the Central Road. They were delivered in their Cars inasmuch as the Car ran all the way through to Richmond. These goods were no doubt stolen from the Car. I am very anxious to receive pay for these goods and now I cannot replace them for five times their cost. In a word the Superintendent informed me that when their Cars (containing goods for Richmond) arrived at Gordonsville, they were then considered as delivered to the Central Road. Please let me hear from you soon, & know your views on this subject.
Yours truly
Asher W. Gray
 
{on the back of the letter}
   The car containing these goods left Gordonsville May 8th The freight is charged only from Gordonsville $2.70. It is therefore evident that it was not a through packages although brought through in the same car. I think it incombent upon the Orange Company to show our receipt I have written to Mr Gooch to inquire into the facts
ADW

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