Executive Department
| February 25, 1862 |
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| Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Delegates |
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| I have received from J. B. Winston, esq.,
secretary of a railroad convention representing the companies of the
district embracing the State of Virginia, the State of Tennessee
east of Knoxville, and the State of North Carolina north of Weldon,
inclosing resolutions adopted by said convention. The object
proposed to be accomplished by these resolutions is in the highest
degree important in the present condition of the country. These
roads are indispensably necessary for the transportation of our
troops and supplies, and any interruption caused by the destruction
of the bridges or portions of the track would operate most
prejudicially to the interests of Virginia and the other Confederate
States. I recommend the subject to your early consideration. The
communication and resolutions are herewith transmitted.
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| Respectfully |
| John Letcher |
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| [Inclosure] |
| Richmond, February 19, 1862 |
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| His Excellency John Letcher |
| Governor of Virginia |
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| Sir: In conformity with a resolution of the
railroad companies of the district embracing the State of Virginia,
the State of Tennessee east of Knoxville, and the State of North
Carolina north of Weldon, in convention assembled to-day, I have the
honor to communicate to you the following resolutions adopted by
said convention:
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Resolved as the sense of this convention, That in the present condition of the country it is necessary in order to
preserve the efficiency of railroad transportation that military
power and authority should be conferred on the presidents of the
several railroads to organize and control a force of men not subject
to draft to guard and protect the bridges on their roads against
open force or secret incendiarism.
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Resolved, That
the Governor of the State be requested, if he has authority to do
so, to detail a force for that purpose from the counties in which
said bridges are located; and if he has no such power that he be
respectfully requested to ask that such power be granted to him by
the Legislature.
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| Very Respectfully |
| J. B. Winston |
| Secretary |
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