| Office Atlantic & Gulf R. R. Co. |
| Savannah, Oct. 31st 1864 |
| |
| Honble Jas. A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
| |
| Sir, |
| The general scarcity of provisions in
the eastern and southern sections of Georgia, through which this
Railroad passes, and the reluctance of producers for this and for this
reasons to open their crops to purchase, are about to subject this
railroad to the most serious embarrassment. It is not without ??? ???
feared, that in the coming year the operation of the roadway be
greatly restricted, is not partially suspended by this condition of
things, for which no remedy can be found except in the assistance of
the Confederate authorities. This ??? attending a line of
transportation, carrying large public supplies, and the outlet, in
time of peace, of Georgia and about to become the only railroad outlet
of all Florida, would be a serious calamity to the government and the
people. |
| The crops of the country are now
gathered, but beyond obtaining the necessary food supplies of a few
weeks, our agents have failed to induce the producers to sell upon any
terms. Large sums of money from various quarters have been deposited
in the country for the negotiation of purchases, but money fails to
buy. It is with extreme reluctance ?????, that I ask that you will
grant us your permission to purchase from Bonded Planters, who in two
or three instances have expressed a willingness to sell us supplies at
schedule rates. This will pos?? ??? again attempting the market as
competition with any parties, and to this degree preclude an elevation
of prices already ????? higher transportation to demand the
consideration should not be without force, when the amount of supplies
for a railroad Two Hundred miles in length is estimated. |
| I beg to add, that your granting this
privilege shall in a manner be ????? |
| Very Respectfully |
| Yr. obt. Servant |
| John Screven |
| President |
|