| From the Richmond Dispatch |
| |
| November 26, 1861 |
| |
| Executive Department |
| Milledgeville, Ga., Nov. 18th, 1861 |
| Col. Jared I. Whitaker, Commissary General &c. |
| Col., |
| I have learned that there is now a
considerable quantity of salt in the depot of the Central
{(of Georgia)} Railroad at Savannah, and I
have notified Mr. Adams, the Superintendent of the road, that he is
required to detain it in the depot subject to your order, for the use of
the army. You are hereby instructed to take charge of the salt, and give
Mr. Adams your receipt for it. When the owners present their claims you
will pay each five dollars per sack, which I consider just compensation.
As we shall need a very considerable quantity for public use, you will
inform me of any which you may find in the hands of speculators or
traders who are selling at more than five dollars per sack with freights
from Savannah added, and I will give you directions as to the seizures
necessary to be made. No seizures will be made of any supplies in the
hands of persons who are selling to the people at five dollars per sack
with freight from Savannah added. I feel that it is gross injustice to
the Government and to the people to permit speculators who have managed
to get the control of articles of absolute necessity, to sell them at
the enormous prices now demanded in the market. |
| The Constitution of this State clearly
provides that private property may be taken for public use by paying
just compensation Under this provision, I feel it my duty when any
necessary article is controlled by a few persons, who demand from the
State and her citizens unreasonable and unjust compensation for it, to
authorize you to seize in the hands of those who ask the highest prices
such supplies as may be needed for public use, and pay the owners just
compensation. |
| I very much regret the necessity which
must control my action in the present emergency, but a sense of duty
compels me to assume the responsibility. If the constituted authorities
do not interfere, but will pay on the part of the State the high prices
demanded by unpatriotic speculators, the cost of the supplies necessary
to maintain our army will soon swell the public debt to an enormous
burden, and as the high prices paid by the State will control the
markets and compel its citizens to pay as much, provisions will be
placed out of the reach of the poor who labor for their daily bread, and
much suffering and misery must be the result. |
| I shall use all the power vested in me by
the constitution and laws of this State to prevent these deplorable
results. |
| Very respectfully, &c |
| Joseph E. Brown |
|