|
Charleston, March 14, 1863 |
| |
| R. L. Singletary, Esq |
| Presdt C&S RR Co {Charleston
& Savannah RR} |
| |
| Dear Sir, |
| Your communication relative to the
contemplated early completion of the Bridge across the Ashley, and its
designed appropriation for the ordinary purposes of your Company, has
just reached me. |
| Your note implies a misapprehension of the
terms and conditions upon which the State constructed a railroad track
on the western causeway of the Bridge Company and built a temporary
Bridge across the river. I shall be happy at an early interview to put
you in possession of the history and evidences of the terms upon which
the private property of this Company was assigned to public uses. It
is proper for me to inform you that the Bridge Company will not
sanction any such use of their property as you indicate in your note.
The constructed works put up at the expense of the State are
exclusively reserved for Military exigencies, and any other attempted
appropriation will be enjoined as an interference alike with
the chartered rights and property of the Bridge Company and
inconsistent with the understanding had on the subject before the work
began. I will avail myself of this opportunity of informing you that
the experimental contract made between your predecessor and myself for
a monthly commutation of the tolls is not entirely satisfactory. A
proposal will shortly be made either to modify or abrogate the now
existing contract, I will seasonably advise you of it. |
| I am very Respectfully |
| Alex. H. Brown |
| Presdt. C. B. Company {C.
B. = Charleston Bridge} |
|