Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac R. R.
| President's Office |
| Richmond, September 30, 1863 |
| |
| Hon. James A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| Capt. John M. Robinson, having returned
from Europe and reported for further orders, has been remanded, I
learn, to his former position in General Jones' command in
Southwestern Virginia. While in England, after encountering
difficulties which seemed to render hopeless his mission for
purchasing supplies for some of our Virginia railroads, he succeeded
in effecting very advantageous and satisfactory negotiations for
purchasing them with the obligations of these railroad companies.
This success was largely attributable to the confidence in himself
and in those by whom he was sent, which he, by hi judgment and
address and character, inspired in those with whom he dealt. I know
of no one who could have combined the same advantages which he
possessed for overcoming the almost insuperable difficulties in his
way, or who could have better improved those advantages. Nor do I
believe that any new agent could now effect in England what he has
done or what further he could now do. The purchases made by him were
for only five Virginia railroads, and were by the risks and
difficulties of importation restricted to the least possible
quantities which those few companies would need for the maintenance
of their machinery for the next year or two. This leaves unprovided
with the means of maintaining their machinery, so essential and even
now so inadequate to the military transportation required of them,
all the other railroads in this and the other Confederate States,
depending only on the delusive and often disappointed hope of an
early termination of the war, which has hitherto paralyzed and will
continue to paralyze all efforts for supplying them by their owners.
I therefore respectfully suggest to you that it would be a prudent
precaution for the Government to convene as many as practicable of
the presidents of these railroad companies and urge them to avail
themselves of the confidence and credit which Captain Robinson has
established in England and (through a special detail for that duty)
of his services in procuring for them those supplies so essential to
the maintenance of military transportation over their roads. Neither
this company nor I personally have any special interest in this
being done, but as a citizen of the Confederacy, who in my official
capacity have special opportunities of knowing the very great
importance of this measure to the country and our cause, I cannot
refrain from making it known to you. It is but just and proper to
add that this letter is in no degree prompted by Captain Robinson or
by any partiality for him; nor is it written with his knowledge of
my writing it. |
| I am, with high respect, very respectfully, your
obedient servant, |
| P. V, Daniel, Jr. |
| President Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac R.
R. Co. |
|