NP, RD 11/26/1861

From the Richmond Dispatch
 
November 26, 1861
 
Executive Department
Milledgeville, Ga., Nov. 18th, 1861
Col. Jared I. Whitaker, Commissary General &c.
Col.,
   I have learned that there is now a considerable quantity of salt in the depot of the Central {(of Georgia)} Railroad at Savannah, and I have notified Mr. Adams, the Superintendent of the road, that he is required to detain it in the depot subject to your order, for the use of the army. You are hereby instructed to take charge of the salt, and give Mr. Adams your receipt for it. When the owners present their claims you will pay each five dollars per sack, which I consider just compensation. As we shall need a very considerable quantity for public use, you will inform me of any which you may find in the hands of speculators or traders who are selling at more than five dollars per sack with freights from Savannah added, and I will give you directions as to the seizures necessary to be made. No seizures will be made of any supplies in the hands of persons who are selling to the people at five dollars per sack with freight from Savannah added. I feel that it is gross injustice to the Government and to the people to permit speculators who have managed to get the control of articles of absolute necessity, to sell them at the enormous prices now demanded in the market.
   The Constitution of this State clearly provides that private property may be taken for public use by paying just compensation Under this provision, I feel it my duty when any necessary article is controlled by a few persons, who demand from the State and her citizens unreasonable and unjust compensation for it, to authorize you to seize in the hands of those who ask the highest prices such supplies as may be needed for public use, and pay the owners just compensation.
   I very much regret the necessity which must control my action in the present emergency, but a sense of duty compels me to assume the responsibility. If the constituted authorities do not interfere, but will pay on the part of the State the high prices demanded by unpatriotic speculators, the cost of the supplies necessary to maintain our army will soon swell the public debt to an enormous burden, and as the high prices paid by the State will control the markets and compel its citizens to pay as much, provisions will be placed out of the reach of the poor who labor for their daily bread, and much suffering and misery must be the result.
   I shall use all the power vested in me by the constitution and laws of this State to prevent these deplorable results.
Very respectfully, &c
Joseph E. Brown

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