| From the Southern Watchman (Athens,
Ga.) |
| |
| November 27, 1861 |
| |
| The following is his
Excellency's order to the Commissary: |
| Seizure of Salt by the Governor |
| Executive Department |
| Milledgeville, Ga., Nov. 18th, 1861 |
| Col. Jared I. Whitaker, Comm. General
&c.: |
| Colonel, |
| 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 who
are selling it at more than five dollars per sack with freights from
Savannah added, and I will give you directions as to the seizure
necessary to be made. 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 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. |
| In 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 misde4y 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 |
|