NP, SRDR 10/22/1861

From the Southern Recorder (Milledgeville, Ga.)
 
October 22, 1861
 
From the Augusta Constitutionalist
Official Report of the President of the Milledgeville Railroad
Office Milledgeville Railroad Co.
Augusta, Oct. 7th, 1861
 
To the Stockholders:
   It is the duty of the Board to submit to the Stockholders some account of the condition of the Company, and the progress of the work during the past year.
   Since the last annual meeting, changes in the country, too well known to require explanation, very materially affected the prospects of the enterprise, especially its early completion, and its entire suspension became at one time, a subject of serious discussion. As this policy, however, would have involved a heavy loss in the work already done, and materials purchased, and also damages on contracts made, which contractors would not relinquish without indemnity, it was deemed best to make an effort to finish the Road to Sparta with the means at command, and await a more auspicious period and improved resources for the future prosecution of the work. At that point, the Road will probably be a source of some profit, and may be continued at any time, when the affairs of the Company will justify.
   The Board was fully aware of the difficulties to be encountered in making even this partial effort, but, under the circumstances, the obligation to make it was almost imperative.
   A call of thirty-five per cent. had already been made upon the Stockholders, and it was calculated, that by the full payment of that assessment, the sale of surplus iron, and some small assistance from the Georgia Railroad & Banking Company, this first division of the Road might be completed. Many of the Stockholders have paid the full assessment, and many others have promised payment on or before the 1st of January, whilst others have paid less, and some have paid more, some have paid nothing. It is hoped, however, that most of the Stockholders from whom payments were expected, may be able and willing by the first of January next, to pay up the assessment made upon them.
   By reference to the estimate of the Engineer, and to the exhibit of the Treasurer, some idea may be formed of the means for completing the road to Sparta, and the time within which that portion of the work may be accomplished. By reference to these documents, we have the following basis of estimates.
   The original estimate of the work to Sparta, with depots, outfit, &c., was four hundred and twenty five thousand dollars. It will be seen by the statement of the Treasurer, that he has received, independent of the receipts of Mr. Turner, the sum of $258,808.50, and has disbursed for road construction, independent also of Mr. Turner's disbursements, the sum of $299,404.73.
   The account may then be stated thus:
Original estimate to Sparta, with depots, outfit, &c. $425,000.00
Received by Treasurer $258,808.50
Received by Mr. Turner 24,335.50 283,144.00
Balance to be provided for $141,856.00
   This the Board hope to provide for with the following means:
Disbursements by Mr. Turner $24,355.50
Sale of 2,760 tons of iron in bond, at $36.50 88,550.00 $112,905.50
Deficit to be provided for $26,951.50
   This amount the Directors hope to provide for by further payments by the Stockholders (who have not paid the full assessment of 35 per cent.) in time to answer the purposes of the company. It will be perceived that the disbursements by the Treasurer exceeds the receipts by $40,596.23. This sum has been raised by temporary credits based on the assets of the company, and it will be perceived that provision is made for it in the estimate above stated. It was deemed best not to allow the work to flag for want of ready cash means.
   It is proper here to remark that in the receipts acknowledged from Stockholders, some of them have paid more than the assessment -- the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company have paid 62 per cent. It is believed, however, that there will be no difficulty in retaining the use of these overpayments, until assets can be converted and future collections made from other Stockholders, by which the Stockholders may be placed upon an equal footing, satisfactory to all.
   When the work was commenced, the means of the company were deemed to be ample, and the President thought it prudent to avail himself of the low price of iron to purchase a quantity sufficient to reach Milledgeville. Had no change taken place, all would have been well, but independent of our necessities it would be bad economy in the present state of uncertainty, retain the surplus iron, with a loss of interest, until the changed condition of the country may enable us to go on with the work. Hence it is proposed to make this surplus available for present purposes, and from contracts and arrangements already made, the directors believe there will be no difficulty in so doing. The road finished to Sparta will answer many valuable purposes.
   First. It will be so much of the main enterprise completed.
   Second. It is hoped that it will be a source of some profit to the stockholders.
   Third. It will serve a valuable purpose to many of the stockholders; and to all it is important as a completion of an important part of the main enterprise, which the Board, by resolution, are bound to continue, whenever the means of the company shall be sufficient for that purpose.
   A very wet season has materially interfered with the progress of the grading, but the track laying has already commenced and it is hoped will not be materially retarded by unfinished work, and will, in the opinion of the engineers, be completed to Sparta in the spring, or early in the summer.
   Respectfully submitted in behalf of the Board, by
John P. King, Pres.

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