| Etna Mines Tenn Feby 12, 1862 |
| |
| To his Excellency Jefferson Davis |
| President of the Confederate States |
| |
| Sir, |
| Permit me to respectfully call your
attention to the following facts which are alike of the utmost
importance to the government of which you are the honored chief
magistrate, and to the defence of the country. |
| I am extensively engaged in mining coal,
and manufacturing coke, both indispensable articles in the production
of arms and projectiles for the arms; A considerable number of
Foundries, now engaged on work for the War or ordnance department, are
depended on my miles for the means of prosecuting their work; I
receive daily letters informing me that they must shortly suspend
operations unless I supply them with coke. I am unable to send out
either cork of coal for want of cars; the Nashville & Chattanooga Rail
road officers say that the press on them for government transportation
is such that they can not stop to carry coke. The inevitable result is
that the Arms and other work needed by the government will come to a
stand, whilst in the meantime the miners (who alone can produce the
coal) dispense because I cannot keep them to work. afterwards, should
it prove to be necessary that coke and coal must be had, then it will
be found impossible almost to obtain those articles for want of men
skilled in the labor required in their production. |
| I therefore with profound respect beg to
submit to your excellency the above recited facts. The Rail roads
could do more than they accomplish if they would infuse some extra
energy into their Conductors and other officers; but I fear, unless
the government interferes, and compels them to carry coal and coke,
that the Foundries now under contracts for arms and projectiles will
be obliged to stop work. |
| I have the honor to be |
| with profound respect |
| Your excellecy's Servant |
| Albert C. Richard |
| Proprietor Etna Coal mines on N&C RR Tenn. |
|