| Raleigh 7 Aug. 1861 |
| |
| Mr. Smith, |
| I wish to know something and to impart
something about the pay to the Rail Roads for transporting troops
&c in this War. |
| The Rail Road Presidents of the South
met 26 Apl 1861 at Montgomery Ala and there agreed to carry men at
2c pr mile and other freight at half the local rates and at the same
time they agreed to take in pay the bonds of the Confederate
Government. The proceedings of the R R convention was published in
pamphlet form and you had better get hold of one and read it. |
|
Again
|
| By the charters of the most (if not all)
the N. C. Roads they are bound to transport troops &c for the
State free of charge. |
| Yet the N. C. Rail Roads present to the
Board of claims large bills running up to 1 July and 1 Aug and are
now engaged in transporting troops with the intent to charge the
State with that. And further the R&G RR have determined to
retain out of the States dividend enough to pay the Bill for
transportation. It is certainly in the charter of that Road that no
charge is to be made. They attempt to evade by saying that the
present is neither "a domestic invasion nor an
insurrection" (words of the act.) |
| I think that the Rail Roads ought to all
go to Richmond at once according to bargain if they want pay. |
| Uniformity in rate, in paying, in time
of paying in every thing can only be had at Richmond. If every
Southern State audits and settles the claims for itself what a mixed
medley there will be when they all get to Richmond. Again how much
more economical to have them all provided for at Richmond at one
time. |
| I think there ought to be a Bill passed
at once at Richmond to provide for discharging R R bills. If only a
bill was passed and the different R R Presidents should carry
tomorrow their bills and get their Bonds as agreed on a sight of
trouble expend time labor taxation and getting generally would be
saved. I think such a bill would save 50 thousand dollars. |
| Furthermore 2 cents a mile is too high
if paid now in cash. They agreed on two taking bonds. Two is half
their usual charge. Just think a little and you will see that it is
enormously high The M&W R R takes 1000 men at a trip
easily $3.25 each $3250 a trip, besides regular business. |
| I wish you to write me all about the
matter suggested in this letter. I shall endeavor to get the
Legislature to send these Rail Roads to Richmond. |
| ***** |
| Ys |
| P. H. Winston Jr. |
| {Found in the Secretary of War
Letters Received files, having gone to President Davis first} |