| Engineer Bureau |
| October 14, 1863 |
| |
| J. N. Sexius Esq. |
| C. S. Agent Wilmington, N. C. |
| |
| Sir, |
| Enclosed I send you a copy of a contract
entered into by the Confederate States with Alexander Dudley Esq.
President of the {Richmond &} York
River Railroad Company which you will please examine and forward with
a copy of this letter to Messrs Fraiser Trenholm & Co., in
England. |
| Sixty thousand dollars of the Engineer
Appropriation has recently been placed to your credit in the hands of
Henry Savage Esq. C. S. Depository, Wilmington N. C. to purchase
cotton to be sent abroad, sold and the proceeds placed in the hands of
Messers Fraiser Trenholm & Co. to meet the obligations of the
Government to the York River Railroad Co. When the obligation has been
met, the balance of the funds, if any should remain, should be placed
to the credit of the Engineer Service. |
| Very Respectfully, Your obt Servt |
| A. L. Rives |
| Lt. Col. & Actg Chf Bu |
| |
| War Department |
| Richmond, 18th May 1863 |
| Whereas, in fulfillment of a contract
dated Feby 12th 1863, between Alexander Dudley and The Confederate
States of America, through the Superintendent of the Nitre and Mining
Bureau, funding for the removal of certain railroad iron from the York
River Railroad, 2.814243.... pounds of rails {about
15 miles, both rails} with chairs and spikes,
have been delivered by the said Alexander Dudley in this city. |
| And Whereas, under the contract, the
Confederate States Government have stipulated "that authority to
purchase iron in Europe to be paid for after the reorganized raising
of the blockade as aforesaid shall be given to the party of the first
part, upon his requisition: and also upon his requisition, that
arrangements for the prompt payment of bills arising under this
purchase vas approved by the proper officer, shall be made by the
party of the second part. |
| Now this writing is to certify that the
said Alexander Dudley through his Agent is authorized to purchase in England or Wales 2.814243.... pounds of rail iron of the same
quality with the rail removed: and essentially of pattern and weight
per yard indicated in the diagram annexed, with the necessary
complement of chairs and spikes for 14 ?/? miles of single track: and,
upon presentation of this authority, the bills of purchase, properly
receipted and certified as to a fair market valuation, shall, after
examination and approval by Major Caleb Huse, C. S. Ordnance Agent,
London, England, be paid by him or such other officer as may be
appointed and acting as financial agent of this department. |
| And therefore, upon the recognition
raising of the existing Blockade by the United States Naval Forces:
and upon presentation of the proper vouchers, audited and approved as
aforesaid, a further payment shall be made by the said Confederate
Agent to cover the necessary and proper charges of shipment and
insurance to some designated port in the Confederate States, the
right, however being reserved to ship all iron thus purchased through
an Agent of the Confederate States Government, or in vessels of the
said Government. |
| I. M. St John |
| Maj & Supt Nitre and Mining Bureau |
| |
| Approved |
| J. A. Seddon |
| Secy of War |
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| I certify that the above is a true copy of the original
paper on file in the office of the Nitre & Mining Bureau. |
| Richard Morton |
| Richmond, Oct 3rd 1863 Maj Ga. |
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