| I agree to furnish A. B. Ridding with trains
of cars and engines to make four trips between Vicksburg and
Meridian of 12 cars each, with runners and train hands; to carry
sugar. And as long as it is safe to do so to furnish this said cars
and engines to the So. {Southern of
Mississippi} RRd for the same purposes, should their business
require this use. The said parties agreeing to furnish wood, water
and oil for said trains and road bed and load & unload then
promptly & pay $3.33 1/3 per hhd. for all the sugar said trains
may transport between said points. The said parties also agree to
allow me to transport two trains loaded with sugar for myself
between said points. Should I require it. I paying the regular
freight rates, less the $3.33 1/3 per hhd. This agreement is not to
interfere with any use I may have for machinery on the M&C {Memphis
& Charleston} RRd or the road between Meridian &
Demopolis. I am to keep the machinery in repair and take all risk of
accident to same and run the trains on schedule of Southern RR and
under the direction of the Supt. of same. |
| Sam. Tate |
| Vicksburg Dec 26, 1862 |
| The So. RR Co has the right to transport on
any or all of the trains mentioned in the foregoing contract
any description of freight they may see proper to ship by paying the
M&C RR the same rate per car load as sugar amounts to, this
additional privilege is not in any way to impair the contract or
lessen the rent to be received by the M&C RRd Co. |
| W. I. Ross Genl. Supt. |
|