| Confederate States |
| Quarter Master's Department |
| Rail Road Bureau |
|
Richmond June 2nd 1864
|
| |
| Brig Genl A R Lawton |
| Q M G |
| |
| General, |
| Under our contract with the {Richmond
&} York River Railroad Company the
Govt has entire use of that road to the White House and sufficient
machinery to do all its business, for $400.00 / four hundred dollars
per day. It is improbable at all times to run so far as this point,
but still the equipment and power of the road must be maintained to
the same degree of efficiency as though this distance were actually traveled. |
| The President of this company is unwilling
to make any deduction when short distances are operated and it is not
just to ask him to do so. I therefore respectfully recommend that the
sum of four hundred dollars ($400) per day be paid that company so
long as the Govt sees proper to continue under the contract the
unlimited use of the road. |
| The price as compared with the tariff of
other roads, I am satisfied is high, but at the same time it is as low
as it can be done, when we take into consideration, that the same
machinery if rented out, would realize the owners quite as much, if
not a greater sum than it does under this contract. |
| I am General |
| Very respectfully |
| Your obdt svt |
| F. W. Sims |
| Lt Col & Q M |
| |
| Approved |
| A. R. Lawton |
| Q M Genl |
| 2 June '64 |
|