| Quartermaster General's Department |
| Richmond, Nov 27, 1863 |
| |
| Major F. W. Sims |
| Supt: RR Bureau |
| |
| Sir, |
| Your letter of the 20th of October has
been returned to this bureau, with Captain Sharp's report of the
contract made by him with the Raleigh & Gaston Railroad Company,
for the occupancy of that Company's shops and land at Raleigh. |
| This contract appears to have been simply
a verbal agreement to pay a monthly rent for these shops, there was no
written lease, and no condition or agreement in regard to any
improvements placed upon the property by the Government. The rent
agreed upon was doubtless accepted by the Company as a full
compensation and no expectation of deriving the benefit of these
improvements was entertained; and I think all the Company could
properly demand, in addition to the rent, was that the property should
be returned in good order, upon termination of the tenancy. I am not
willing, therefore, to recognize the claim of the Company to the
reversion of the buildings and railroad track referred to. It should
be notified that the Government will assert its right to remove them;
and you will instruct Captain Sharp accordingly. |
| I enclose Captain Sharp's letter for your
information. |
| A. R. Lawton, Q. M. Genl. |
|