| Mobile, October 3, 1861
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| |
| His
Excellency Jefferson Davis |
| President of the Confederate States of America |
| |
| I address you in behalf of the Mobile
& Great Northern Railroad Company. As you are aware of the
location of this road, and the rapid communication it would afford
if completed below this place and Pensacola and all parts of the
Confederacy east of this, it is unnecessary for me to say anything
about its being a military necessity. I inclose a note from the
president of the company, Colonel W. D. Dunn, whose statements are
to be entirely relied on, from which it appears that only $15,000 in
cash is required to complete this road by the 10th to the 15th of
November, and without which he will not be able to go on with the
work, having entirely exhausted all the means of the company. In
addition to this $15,000 he asks the extension of $10,000 due the
Government for duties on iron. In view of the important military
events that are likely to take place on our Gulf coast this winter,
would it not be well for the Government to aid the company to
complete their road? The amount to be advanced would soon be repaid
by transportation. |
| I therefore ask you to take the matter
into your most favorable consideration. |
| |
| With much respect, your obedient servant |
| C. J. McRae |
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| P. S.-Since writing the foregoing Colonel Dunn has
informed me that he is going to Richmond, and he will more fully
explain to you the condition of the road. I commend him and his road
to your most favorable attention. |
| C. J. M. |
| |
| Inclosure |
| |
| Office Mobile & Great Northern Railroad, Co. |
| Mobile, October 3, 1861 |
| |
| Honorable C. J. MacRae |
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| Dear Sir: |
| By the greatest exertion this company
has been able to progress very far toward the completion of its
road. The grading and bridging are all done, more than half the
track laid, and the balance of rails on hand mostly in this city. On
the unfinished part of the road the cross-ties, with the exception
of some three or four miles, are all laid ready for the iron. In
this condition the work the available means of the company are
almost exhausted. We have been already largely aided by the banks
here, and most, if not all, of our stockholders have paid up to the
extent of their ability, and we must now look to other sources for
the means to enable us to go on. With the aid of $15,000 and an
extension for a few months on the duties due on the rails, about
$10,000, I feel confident we can have the road in operation by from
10th to 15th of November. I assure you that this work has been urged
and pressed forward under all the embarrassments of the times with
no reference to the individual interest of the stockholders, but
from a conviction of its great and pressing importance to our city
in a military point of view at this juncture. May I not, under the
circumstances, ask the exercise of your influence with the
Government to obtain an advance of $15,000 and an extension of a few
months upon the duties, to be paid by transportation for the
Government or other earnings of the road at the earliest practicable
day, the Government to be secured for both sums by good personal
security? |
| With great respect, your obedient servant, |
| Wm. D. Dunn |
| President |
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