| New Orleans, April 17, 1862 |
| |
| President Davis |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| A danger as
formidable as the fleet of the enemy now threatens us. There will
be, and indeed now is, a scarcity of provisions in this city which,
unless speedily remedied, will incapacitate us for any protracted
defense. Generals Beauregard and Bragg have sent here for bread for
the Army of the Mississippi, and it has been furnished, and
consequently reduced our stock of flour. We must now replenish it,
and at once, or it will be too late. The committee of public safety,
not a secret organization, but a well-known public association of
patriotic and influential citizens, have been diligent in devising
means to avert this calamity. They now propose to obtain from
Richmond and elsewhere a bountiful supply of flour, and to send
thither a sufficient quantity of our sugar for the wants of the
people there. To do this effectually and speedily it becomes
necessary that at least two trains a week on the entire line of
railroad between this city and Richmond should be subject to their
exclusive use. I respectfully request Your Excellency to facilitate
this good work by all means at your command. The necessity is
imperative and urgent. If New Orleans falls, whether reduced by the
guns of the enemy or by the importunate cries of her famishing
people, our cause is not indeed lost, but our efforts will be
shackled and our capacity for future struggles will be impaired. I
ask Your Excellency to hear the representations which will be made
by the agent of the committee and to respond favorably to their
request. |
| It is almost unnecessary to
add that the labors of this committee are directed to the
advancement of the public interests alone, and not those of any
private individual. There are no speculators among them. |
| I am, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, |
| Tho. O. Moore |
| {Governor of
Louisiana} |
|