| Virginia Central Railroad |
| General Superintendent's Office |
| Richmond, Va. August 7 1861 |
| |
| Hon. Jno. Letcher |
|
Gov of Va &c
|
| |
| Sir, |
| In compliance with the pledge made to
the writer of the enclosed letter {here},
made several months since when matters were differently situated
from what they are at present, I now apply to you for aid in getting
this Mr Allen & his family out of the state if it is compatible
with public interests. |
| Mr Allen is of Northern birth and
Northern Sentiment as it was before the present trouble commenced.
He is opposed to our institutions, but not in favor of the war upon
them. |
| He has been serving in the Home Guard
and has on two occasions given me information which was important to
the safety of the people in that locality. While his sentiments were
opposed to ours, he never spoke these unless when questioned &
then avoided them in an manly way. |
| He is in my judgment an honorable man
& would take any oath of secrecy & would keep it. |
| I have though it first to let you know
the whole truth about Mr A. as it is probable he would have done if
he was put in communication with you. |
| I am not acquainted with the Secretary
of War, so that I am compelled to come to you for aid. I believe you
know me well enough to endorse anything I would say on such
subjects. |
| Very Respectfully |
| H D Whitcomb |
| Ch. Sup. & Gen Supr. |