| From the Wilmington Journal |
| August 23, 1861 |
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| Highly Important for Deep River |
| We are permitted to copy the
following important letter from the Secretary of the Navy to Mr.
Wright: |
| |
| Confederate States of America |
| Navy Department -- Richmond, Aug. 19th,
1861 |
| |
| Hon. C. G. Wright, House of Delegates,
Raleigh, N. C. |
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| Sir, |
| A free supply of Coal in your
State, in connection with the present and future operations of a steam
Navy, I regard as of very great importance, and hence I observe with
interest every indication connected with it. Will you be pleased to
advise me as to the prospect of completing the Fayetteville and
Coalfields Rail Road {the Western RR}?
The mineral wealth of your State, and particularly of the Deep River
country, points to an early establishment of such great Work Shops as
the defences of our Confederacy will demand, and I deeply regret that
the common sense of the South, in years gone by, has not established
them. |
| I am, respectfully, your ob't serv't, |
| S. R. Mallory, Sec'y Navy |
| |
| This is another and emphatic
indication, that the struggle of those who have spent their time and
means in the effort to develop this great interest, is about to be
crowned with success. The Legislature of North Carolina cannot now
fail to do anything -- everything -- to complete the opening of this
wonderful mine of wealth, this vast store-house of army and navy,
which "the common sense of the South," looking anywhere else
than at home, has not heretofore appreciated -- indeed scarcely now
begins to appreciate. |
| The government wants coal for
a Steam Navy, and coal and iron for the greatest workshops, here in
Fayetteville, that have ever been seen in the South. Individuals too,
all over the South, want coal and iron, which can be more conveniently
obtained at Deep River than anywhere else in the South. Need we call
upon the Legislature to do promptly what may be necessary to infuse
the fullest life and vigor into the operations of this vast interest? |
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