| Raleigh, N. C. |
| 20th June 1863 |
| |
| His Excellency |
| Governor Vance |
| Raleigh, N. C. |
| |
| Governor, |
| Enclosed, I beg to lay before you copies of Telegrams
&c relating to a "Lathe" used for Turning car & locomotive engine wheels
taken from here on last evening by order of Gen Whiting and brought to
Wilmington, to be placed, I understand, in Mr Roberts, a Government
Contractor, shops there. |
| I regret to inform you, since none of the usual forms
of Law have been observed or respected. |
| No Impressment, or value assessment has been made. No
acknowledgement of value has been given me. No information of its
intended service has been made me. No justification of its removal
conceded me. |
| It has been taken from our Private use, to be
transferred to the shops of a Government Contractor for his private use,
benefit, and emolument, as ???. It appears to me if G W Roberts has
undertaken to do Government work he should furnish the apparatus and
machinery to do that work with and that the shops of Individuals should
not be levied upon to find "Tools" for his pecuniary benefit, by the
officers of the Government. |
| The whole procedure is the more condemnatory when it is
understood that, in Wilmington, two other Lathes of similar construction
exist, and, to the use of both or either, Mr Roberts could have access
for any Government work at any time. One is in the Manchester RRd Shops,
the other in the Wilmington & Weldon RR Shops. |
| The pecuniary value of the Lathe at this time total is
$20,000/-- but the ??? our Company with out ??? by the stoppage of our
works from want of its use will be, not only to us, but to the
Government, for while use, our shops are at work, will be incalculable,
as the building of all our cars & engines must cease & the works
suspend. |
| It appears to me, and I think you will concur its ???.
??? Constitutional Law, ????? I understand that Genl Whiting can have
any right, except that of ??? of absolutism, to take from us, our
Private property, without consent, value given, some acknowledgement of
value, rent or receipt, yet none of these have been given, not only have
none of them been given, but, not even an intimation of intended service
has ever been given to us. |
| The Common Enemy, The ??? has, during their Raids on
our People do not ???, ??? take private possession of our property when
it falls into their hands. This, General Whiting has done, through his
order which I enclose. |
| It is to be regretted that any of the officers of The
Confederate Government should be found its copyists of our Enemies, in
despoiling not only its own Citizens, but its unfortunate Refugees of
property, seized by them from the ??? the war has brought upon them. |
| As a representation of Refugees, who have lost
everything, lost our ??? that C?? liberty ??? Private rights is still
guaranteed us. I lay this ??? before you. |
| I beg your attention and interference in this instance
& request the Property I claim be at once returned me. |
| With great respect |
| I am Governor |
| Your obt Sert |
| Hugh Rice |
| Chf Engineer & Genl Supt |
| Manassas Gap R Rd |
| |
| Copy of Telegrams |
| Wilmington June 16 1863 |
| Cap T R Sharp |
| The "Lathe" I want I have the authority of the Secty at
War for it. I must have it. I will return it in good order in 4 or 6
seeks. |
| W H Whiting |
| Major Genl Com |
| |
| Raleigh June 16 1863 |
| Major Genl. Whiting |
| Wilmington NC |
| Your agent has taken possession of the Lathe & is now
shipping it. It belongs to the Manassas Gap RR Co and is not under my
control. |
| T R Sharp |
| Capt & AQM |
| |
| Head Qrs Dist Cape Fear |
| Wilmington N C 6 June 1863 |
| Special Order |
| No 173 XVI |
| Wm Luan will proceed at once to Raleigh & report to Captn T. R.
Sharp AQM for the purpose of bringing a Lath to this place. |
| The Q. M. will furnish the necessary Transportation. |
| By Command of |
| Majr Genl. Whiting |
| A Vander Hornt |
| Major & AAG |
|