| Office Orange & Alena R. R. Co {Orange
& Alexandria RR} |
| Lynchburg Feby 7, 1863 |
| |
| Col. A. C. Myers |
| Q. M. General |
| |
| Sir, |
| As suggested in conversation at your
office a few days ago I have the honor to submit in writing an
application on part of this Company for an increase of rates on
Government transportation, with some of the reasons in support
thereof. These last are specially set out in the endorsed letter of
the General Superintend of the Company. Some of the Railroads in
Virginia are sufficiently compensated but the Orange & Alena is
not one of them and can not be kept up with transportation
maintained without an increase of rates. Nearly half of the line of
this Railroad is either in actual possession of the Enemy or made
useless from its proximity, and the other half does not draw means
enough from the Government to meet half its current expenses, &
has not for last two or three months. I presume it is of some
importance to the Government to keep up the Railroads, & it is
hardly fair to expect it to transport its business at a loss. I
presented the facts to you in September, & urged an increase of
rates on account of the special circumstances of the case. An
increase of 100 per cent on present rates as suggested in the note
of our General Superintendent will afford very moderate
compensation, and I will respectfully ask that you will order said
increase without delay, and let it relate back so as to include all
unsettled claims with your office since 1st of December last. |
| I am |
| Very Respcy, Yr Obt Ser |
| John S. Barbour |
| Prest. &c |
|