Richmond, July 17, 1861
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| Hon. L. P. Walker |
| Secretary of War |
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| Sir, |
| I am here as one of a committee appointed
by the Board of Directors of the Petersburg Railroad Company to
confer with the Government in relation to the construction of a
railroad connecting the Petersburg Railroad and the Richmond &
Petersburg Railroad for military purposes. You are doubtless aware
that the convention of Virginia at its last session adopted an
ordinance giving authority to those companies to connect their roads
through the city of Petersburg, and providing that if they wished to
take immediate steps for doing so the Government of the Confederate
States should have authority to make the connection, to continue
during the war. If the connection is to be used for military
purposes only, and to be removed after the close of the present war,
it would not be to the interest of the railroad companies, or either
of them, to make it on their own account, while they could well
afford to do so if it could be used permanently and for general
purposes. By the general railroad law of the State no railroad track
can be laid down in the street of any city without the consent of
its corporate authorities. The general terms of the ordinance of the
convention may have been, and probably were, designed to dispense
with this provision of the general law; but for reasons which I need
not suggest in detail some doubt is entertained whether such is its
effect. A doubt on this subject would make it proper that the
company should consult the corporate authorities of the city before
undertaking to lay down a track through its streets. There are other
considerations also which seemed to the Board of Directors of the
Petersburg Railroad Company to make it proper for them to consult
with the corporate authorities. In the first place, the city of
Petersburg is the owner of nearly one-half of the stock of the
company. In the next place, it was well known that a great
repugnance is felt by the citizens of Petersburg to any connection
between the roads in question by means of which produce and
merchandise would pass through Petersburg to and from Richmond. This
was tested some years ago by a popular vote. It was believed by the
Board that no permission cold be obtained to lay down a road for
general purposes and as a permanent connection, and it was thought
very doubtful whether even a temporary connection would be allowed
for general purposes. I mention these things to explain why the
company cannot build the road in question on their own account. The
Board or Directors, however, have every disposition to give their
aid to the Government in providing a military road. They are willing
to construct such a road for the Government and to receive payment
of its actual cost in the 8 per cent. bonds of the Government at
par, with the privilege of transporting their passengers and mails
only (not freight) over the connection. These suggestions will
indicate the general views of the Board, but the committee now here
are authorized and settle the terms in detail. These could be better
discussed and arranged in a personal interview. As the committee
would be glad to leave the city by 3 o'clock, it would oblige them
if you could give this subject your early attention. |
| I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant |
| Wm. T. Joynes |
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