| From the Minutes of the Board of Directors of the
Eastern Texas Railroad |
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| Nacogdoches, May 23, 1861 |
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| Also the following communication addressed
to the Secretary of the Treasury of the Confederate States submitted
by W. W. Morris was adopted. |
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| Office of the Eastern Texas Railroad Co. |
| Nacogdoches May 23, 1861 |
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| To the Honble Mr. Memminger |
| Secy of the Treasury of the Confederate States of
America |
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| Your petitioner represents that the
Eastern Texas railroad is now complete and in running order, (supplied
with the requisite rolling stock) from Sabine Pass to within say Ten
Miles of Beaumont Texas where it will intersect the New Orleans &
Texas rail road & form a connexion with the City of Houston. That
the grade is complete to Beaumont and the Ties ready with a force on
the ground to lay down the tract. That there is about Eleven hundred
tons of Iron rails for said road now at Galveston Texas on which
duties are claimed by the Confederate Custom House. That said railroad
Company owing to the troubled state of the country & the existing
war, are unable to negociate funds or otherwise raise money whereby to
pay said Duties & take possession of said Iron or any part
thereof. That said Company desires not only to connect with Houston by
way of Beaumont but to actively prosecutes the work into Eastern
Texas. There being a grade of 22 miles North of Beaumont. That said
Connexion with Houston & the East is deemed important in view of
the defence of Sabine Pass the Key to Eastern Texas as well as the
adjacent coast also securing a communication between New Orleans &
Texas via Berwicks Bay, much less exposed to the threatened Blockade
than the route via Galveston. That said Iron was purchased in August
1860. |
| Wherefore in Consideration of the promises
Petitioner prays your Honor to recommend to Congress to rebate the
Duties on said Iron in the mean time that orders be given to the
proper officer at Galveston to permit said Company to release said
Iron by filing a Suitable Bond for the Duties thereon or on so much of
said Iron at least as may be necessary to finish said Road to
Beaumont. That if said order be given that it be sent without delay to
Galveston & a Duplicate to Eastern Texas Railroad Comy at this
place all of which is respectfully submitted. |
| Should it be deemed necessary a sufficient
portion of said Iron ay be retained at Galveston as Indemnity for the
payment of the Cuties due. |