| Macon, Ga. |
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March 28th 1863 |
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Hon James A. Seddon |
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Richmond, Va. |
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Sir, |
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I take the liberty of enclosing a circular of the company
now organizing for the purpose stated within. The pressing necessities
of our Rail Road Companies at this time call for immediate action. The
people look with confidence to the Government to take the initiative
steps in all great movements. We are endeavoring to engage the
cooperation of the R. R. Co's & citizens in this work, and hope to be
successful, but the Government can render the matter absolutely certain
by an extension of patronage or even by an expression of interest in its
success. |
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We believe that we have special advantages
for carrying out this important work successfully, both in experience
and location; and by concentration alone can anything be done now. We
believe that we can furnish satisfactory evidence on all points required
by the Government and therefore ask its cooperation, both as a war and
peace measure, either by advances on orders, or otherwise as may be
deemed best, earnestly recommending this subject for your consideration,
as one most important to the welfare of the country. |
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I remain Sir |
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Yours very Respectfully |
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Thos. E. McNeill |
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{printed form letter} |
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Macon, Ga., March 28th 1863 |
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Hon James A. Seddon |
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Richmond, Va. |
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Sir, |
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I beg leave to call your attention to the fact, that I am
now organizing a Company, for the purpose of manufacturing Railway
Machinery, Locomotives, Cars, Wheels, Axles, &c. This work will be
located at a central point, in the State of Georgia, and advanced to
completion as rapidly as circumstances will allow. |
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From the experience that I have had in this class of work,
in both Europe and the United States, for the past ten years, I think I
may safely say that the Shops, when completed, will be second to none in
their appointments. It will be my aim, aided by full drawings of the
best European and American Shops and machinery, to make them as complete
as possible for the execution of the work intended. (The assistance and
patronage of your Company, and of yourself and friends, individually, is
earnestly solicited in the prosecution of this important work -- either
by subscription to the Stock, accompanied by orders for machinery; by
orders with advances; or by direct subscription to the Stock of the
Company, as an investment.) |
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A proportion of amounts paid in will be invested so as to
form the basis of Exchange on Europe, for the purchase of machinery,
etc., at an early date, so as to cause as little delay as possible in
forwarding to this country, when a favorable opportunity occurs. |
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Drawings of Machine Shops, Buildings, Machine Tools, &c.,
are well advanced toward completion, and nothing will be left undone to
push on the work as rapidly as possible. |
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Orders for Machinery, by Rail Road Companies, accompanied
by subscriptions to Stock, will be executed with reference to the time
and amount of order and subscription. |
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The Stock of a company engaged in so important a branch of
manufacture, after the war, would be very likely to range near par, in
the best currency in the country. As a temporary investment, therefore,
it must be highly desirable. |
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A reply, with your views on the subject, will greatly
oblige, |
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Yours Respectfully, |
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Thos. E. McNeill |
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SOUTHERN RAILWAY MACHINERY COMPANY |
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Locomotives, Passenger and Freight Cars, Wheels,
Axles, etc. |
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Capital |
$1,000,000 |
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Ten Thousand Shares, One Hundred Dollars Each |
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LOCOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT: |
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Machine Shops, Pattern-Makers Shops, Foundry, Smithy,
Etc. |
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Permanent Investment and Working Capital |
$550,000 |
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CAR DEPARTMENT: |
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Machine Shops, Wheel Foundry, Axle-Forge, Etc. |
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Permanent Investment and Working Capital |
$450,000 |
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It needs no elaborate argument to prove the necessity for
the establishment of works for the manufacture of Railroad Machinery, on
an extensive scale, at the earliest date possible. The worn condition of
many of our Railroads furnish facts sufficient and call for immediate
and liberal action on the part of the Government, Railroad Companies,
and citizens generally. There is not one shop within the limits of the
Confederate States properly fitted or available for such work. It is
therefore necessary that works should be erected commensurate with the
necessities of the country, present and prospective. Large
establishments can be proportionately more economically managed than
small ones, with careful management, and a regular demand for the
articles manufactured, ample remuneration for the outlay is certain.
There are now over eight thousand miles of railroads in operation in the
Confederate States, and a number of ne and important lines are being
opened. The existing demand for machinery, on the return of peace will
be greatly increased. Much of the machinery now in use will have to be
replaced in a short time. These demand must be supplied from some
quarter. In a country like ours, engaged in manufacturing to so limited
an extent, it is desirable, economical, and in most instances necessary,
that all parts of the work should be made in one establishment. Hence
the necessity for extensive works, and proportionate capital. |
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On the return of peace, the Stocks of this Company, with
the privileges which it is highly probable will be granted it, will
range at par in the best currency of the country -- which makes it now
one of the very best investments possible -- at the same time will prove
of equal value as a permanent one. |
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Your attention is invited to a further investigation of the
subject, and your co-operation solicited. |
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Yours Respectfully, |
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Thos E. McNeill |
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