Headquarters Virginia Forces
| Richmond, Va., May 11, 1861 |
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| B. M. Jones, Esq., Danville, Va. |
| |
| Sir, |
| I am instructed by Major-General Lee to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of May 9, respecting the
construction of a railroad from Keysville, on the Richmond and
Danville Road, to Clarksville, on the Roanoke {Valley
RR},
whereby an additional railroad connection would be had between
Richmond and States to the south of Virginia. As a military road at
this time, General Lee thinks it would be both desirable and
important to have the road which you propose constructed, as it
would afford not only an additional means of communication between
Richmond and the South, but, in the event of obstruction on one
road, the other might be kept open for travel and transportation.
Contingencies might occur to render this a matter of the highest
importance, and he would therefore be pleased to see the road made.
But while he regards it as desirable, he thinks, from the
information he has of the financial condition of the State, it would
not be proper just now to divert the money required for the work
from other objects.
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| I am, etc.
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| Jno. A. Washington
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| Aide to General Lee |
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