| Florida Railroad Office |
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Gainesville June 4, 1863 |
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His Excy John Milton |
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Govr of the State of Florida |
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Sir, |
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Your communication of May 30 post marked June 2 was
received this morning. |
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The considerations connected with the subject of your
letter are very grave. Excuse me if I prefer to preserve a time in my
correspondence comporting with the serious issues of public c??ment it
involves, and with its official character. |
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I am not aware of any authority vested in the Trustees of
the Internal Improvement Fund, any more than in this Company, to
diminish or change the security of securities or trusts, or to
deal with the Trust Fund, or the rights of the State or of the Creditors
of the fund, any otherwise than other ordinary trustees might, under the
direction and control of the Courts of the State. I am also unaware of
any power existing in this Company, or in the Executive branch of
Government, to authorize or permit the destruction of a public way.
There are circumstances, truly, under which extreme measures, in dealing
with extreme and sudden emergencies would be promptly executed and
tolerated by the public as well as by individuals whose particular
interest might be injured. But, you will agree with me, it is not
allowable in public officers, either lightly to suppose emergencies, or
needlessly to create them, for the purpose of accomplishing a
preconceived design and desire. Especially should they guard themselves
against being made unconscious instruments of injustice, by employing
the power their public trust confers in promoting the ends of those who
urge their action. |
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No such proceeding as your letter describes occurred at
Gainesville. You have evidently been misinformed. The true version of
what transpired upon the occasion was communicated soon after its
occurrence to the President of the Pensacola & Georgia R. R. Company in
a letter which I supposed, from the circumstances of the time, might
have been seen by you. |
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The much allusion you make to the idea of patriotic efforts
& sacrifices, in which you intimate the Trustee of the Internal
Improvement Fund are disposed to write with me, requires some response.
I humbly trust I may not be wanting at any time in necessary & dutiful
sacrifices & contribution to the great cause in which all citizens are
engaged and will gladly write with yourself & other Trustees in liberal
& patriotic devotion of our own means. But I have not the right to make
myself free with the property of others, nor to seek merit for a
generous patriotism at anothers cost. |
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I have the honor to be |
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Very Respectfully |
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D. L. Yulee |
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Presdt Florida R. R. Co. |
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