| Confederate States of America |
| War Department |
| Richmond, Va. July 1, 1863 |
| |
| His Excellency Z. B. Vance |
| Governor of North Carolina |
| Raleigh, N. C. |
| |
| Sir, |
| Some short time since, an
application was made to me by Col. Gilmer, of the Engineer Bureau,
representing the slow progress made for want of labor to the
construction of the Piedmont Railroad, and urging the issue of an
order to the Enrolling Officers of North Carolina to impress fifty per
cent of the able-bodied free negroes between 18 and 45, to be sent to
Greensboro to work on that road. At the same time the impression was
conveyed to me, that the measure was your suggestion and would meet
with your approbation. I was very reluctant to call out so large a
proportion of the free negroes as fifty per cent, as recommended by
Col. Gilmer, but on conference with him, he satisfied me that the
needs of the road would demand that proportion. The recommendation was
also made, that these negroes could be more readily collected by the
Enrolling Officers, who are generally distributed throughout the
State, and the plan was accordingly sanctioned. I have learned today
with some surprise and regret, from an endorsement made by your
Adjutant General upon a paper sent to Col. Mallett, that you regard as
unwarranted any enrolment of free negroes without your previous order.
I am not aware of the provisions of any law, either Confederate or
State, which make special provision in such a case, but I certainly
recognize the propriety of your concurrence and previous assent to the
action which was proposed to be taken. As therefore I have acted under
an erroneous impression in regard to your concurrence, I have now the
honor to submit to you an application for your cooperation, or if you
prefer, your own order and action to obtain the free negro laborers
required. I take pleasure in assuring you there was no purpose or
thought of infringing on your authority or jurisdiction in the matter;
but the use of the Enrolling Officers in different parts of the State
will, as you will readily perceive, aid in accomplishing the end, and
if desired by you, their services will be placed at your disposition. |
| With esteem |
| Respectfully yours |
| James A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
|