| Florida Rail Road Office |
| Gainesville May 23d 1863 |
| |
| His Excellency John Milton |
| Gov of Florida |
| |
| Sir, |
| Brigr Genl Finegan has
transmitted to me your letter to him of May 7th inst. |
| As the application of Mr Gift,
whose communication is not authorized by the Navy Department, was
probably written without much consideration of the gravity of his
request, and as your letter is supposed to be no more than a courteous
formality in the treatment of an official communication from an officer
of the Confederate Service, it is not deemed necessary for me to say
more than that this Company has no legal power, as now connection with
the State Government & the Internal Improvement Fund makes you of course
aware, to accede to any proposal for the destruction of the track of its
road. |
| Regular trains run upon the
Florida Rail Road for the accommodation of the public and the Government
throughout its length, except a small part at each end, not accessible,
on account of the destruction by the Military of portions of the trestle
near the extreme terminal points, use of which (Amelia Island) is in the
possession of the enemy. |
| I have the honor to be |
| Very Respectfully |
| Your obt Sevt |
| D. L. Yulee |
| Presdt Fla R. R. Co. |
|