| Executive Office |
| April 15, 1862 |
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{The addressee is not on the copy in the National
Archives, though it is clear it was a member of the Military Affairs
Committee of Congress} |
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Sir, |
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I have received your note of 31st ultimo, asking, in
behalf of the Military Committee, for my opinion "as to the
propriety of extending Congressional aid in the shape of an
appropriation for the construction of a rail road from Orange,
Texas, to New Iberia, Louisiana, on the ground of a military
necessity." |
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The connection contemplated between Galveston and New
Orleans would undoubtedly be very valuable to the Confederacy and
would afford important facilities for concentrating forces on the
Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas. It would also be of great
advantage in the transportation of supplies produced by the State of
Texas, especially of wool and beef cattle for the use of our forces. |
| With this view of the facts I would have
made an earlier reply to the Committee, giving my opinion that the
military advantage is sufficiently great to justify Congress in
extending the aid towards completing this road, had I not entertained
doubts of the practicability of obtaining at the present time the iron
necessary to finish it. The enclosed letter, since received from Mr.
Gentry, the President of the road has satisfied me that the material can
be obtained and relying on his statements, I have no hesitation in
recommending that such reasonable aid as to Congress may seem advisable
be extended towards securing at as early a date as practicable this
valuable railroad connection. |
| Very respectfully |
| &c &c &c |
| Jefferson Davis |
| {The RR being discussed was the
New Orleans & Texas RR, which would have connected to the Texas & New
Orleans RR at the state border. Mr. Gentry was President of both RRs} |
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