HE
2771
.L 8 N é
LfBRÄRr
EOREAÜ m
RAILWAY
iCONOMlCS
T^F.TTTIOTS^
FROai THE
PEOPLE OP LOUISIANA TO CONGlil'SS
FOR THE KEEIEF OF THE
NM-ÖHLKANS, OPELOLISAS AND GREAT
WESTERN RAILEOAD COMPANY.
The Memorial of the Company and other Documents.
WITH viv
■L Nh-
WASHINGTON, D. C..
McGlM, Ä: WITIIJ r,( U, lIlJKTirS AKD SlEIiJiOlYl IIÍS.
1868.
PETTTIOISr
FRO^E THE
PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA TO CONCRESS
FOR THE RELIEF OF THE
NEW ORLEANS, OPELOITSAS AND GREAT
WESTERN RAILROAD COMPANY.
The Memorial of the Company and other Documents,
wiTix A
WASHINGTON, D. C..
McCiILL & WITHEROW, PillNTLliS AND STEREOTYREKS.
1868.
LlOriARY
BUREAU OF RAILWAY ECONOMICS.
WA3KINGT0N, D. C.
INDEX TO DOCUMENTS FILED IN CONGRESS.
1. Petition of the peo[)Ie of Louisiana, signed by thousands of citizens,
without regard to race or party, forty feet long 5
2. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of New Orleans. 7
3. Chamber of Commerce of New Orleans 8
4. •\Iechanics' and Agricultural P'air Association « 9
5. Petition of the railroad company and form of bill 9
6. Statement under seal of the company's account for property purchased
of the (.Tovernment 13
7. Statement of the Commissioner of the General Land Oihce of lands certified
for the road on three sections, and of the large amount of Government
land west of Üpelousas subject to homestead settlement 14
8. Map marketl A, showing the continuation of the road through Texas to
El Paso, and its connection with the Texas roads, (not puhnted here¬
with
9. Map m rked B, showing tlie vacant Government lands west of Opelousas,
reierred to in the Commissioner's statement, (not printed herewith)...
ADFENDIX,
1. Abstracts from ilajor General Butler's general amnesty proclamation,
of May 1, 1862 15
2. Copy of Major General Butler's order of May 3, 1862, No. 20, author¬
izing and directing this company to operate the road 15
3. Copy of General Shipley's (military governor) letter appointing State
directors 16
Í. Copy of Captain Hoyt's (military mayor) letter appointing city directors 16
5. Extracts from the reports of the company's chief engineer, describing
the route from New Orleans to Berwick's Bay, (eighty miles,) and its
swampy cliaracter 17
6. Editorial notices of the petition and memorial from the .six city papers,
of all parties, to wit ■ The Triliune, Republican, Bee, Times, Crescent;
and Picayune, endorsing the prayer of the petitioners 18
7. Editorial notice of the Picayune on the prospects and history of the
road 24
NEW ORLEANS AND OPELOUSAS R.R.
i\W. 1.
To the Honorable ike Senate and House of Hepresentaiices of the
United Slates of America, in Congress assembled.
Tlie petition of the citizens of Louisiana, in behalf of the
Xew Orleans, Opelousas, and Great AVestern Lailroad Com¬
pany, respectfuHj represents :
That your petitioners are all looking with deep interest to
the successfui and immediate completion of the New Or¬
leans, Opelousas, and Great AVestern railroad to the Texas
line, as the great means of developing the agricultural
resources of the States of Texas and Louisiana, as well as
the commercial advancement of the cities to which their
products look for a market.
This road, when completed, will he the continuation of
the great internal Atlantic coast line from Maine through
the city of New Orleans, and our richest sugar-produciug
lands westward, to the vast wheat, cotton, and sugar regions
of Texas, and in time not far distant, we hope, to the Paciñc
coast, as intended by its original projectors.
As evidence of the estimation in which this enterprise is
held by our community, we need only to allude to the fact,
that .$3,025,000, more tlian onedialf of the entire capital of
tiie company, as fixed by its charter, has been subscribed by
tlie State of Louisiana, New Orleans, and several of the
parishes along the line of its road, respectively.
The f'nited States have a deep interest in its completion
for the enhanced value of their land which would thus be
brought about, and for the transportation of mails and
troops; the road, notwithstanding its limited extent, having
already proven of great value to the United States during
the late war. Northern capitalists iiave not failed to recog¬
nize the importance and value of this road, as is evidenced
by their investments in its construction-bonds, and stock.
Your petitioners humbly pray that your honorable body
will vouchsafe to grant the prayer of the railroad company
to reinstate its land-grant, extend the time for completion
G
of the road, and to authorize the adjustment and liquidation
of its open accounts vvitli the Government.
And your petitioners will ever pray.
[Here follow the signatures of thousands of citizens of
Louisiana, in Xew Orleans, Tigerville, parislies^Terrehonne,
La Fayette, &c., measuring forty feet long,
are a few of the names :]
The following
Pike Lepeyre & Brothers, baokers.
H. Doaue, vice preí«iclent Factors and
Traders' Insurance Com])any.
J. Madison Wells, ex-Governor of Lou¬
isiana.
J. U. Wooldridge, acting postmaster.
J. N. Lea, member of the bar.
Alfred Moiilton, president Home In¬
surance Company.
T. A. Adams, president Board of Under¬
writers.
Thomas Sloo, president Sun Mutual In¬
surance Company.
George Jonas, president Canal Bank.
Jules A. Blanc, president Louisiana
State Bank.
J. M. Reed, superintendent CatroUon
railroad.
E. Ridgney, president Atlantic Insur¬
ance Company.
John PembertoD, president Merchants'
Insurance Company.
John J. xidams à Co., wholesale gro¬
cers.
Henry Peychaud, president Hope In¬
surance Company.
Slocum, Baldwin k Co., wholesale hard¬
ware.
Stark, Stoufifer & Co., wholesale hard¬
ware.
Adam Griffin, State Treasurer.
H. Peralta, State Auditor.
A. Carriene, president P. T. Citizens'
Bank.
C. Cammack, paying-teller Citizeos'
Bank.
A. Chaipella, president Union Insur¬
ance Comfiany.
E. J. Forstitil. agfnt B. Bros k Co.
W. ÍJ. Letchfonl k Co., wholesale dry-
goods.
T. Gilmore, attorney-at-Iaw.
Charles Pitts, s^'cretary of Crescent
City Railroad Company.
Smith, Newm-in «1^ Co., bankers.
Burke .S: Co., bankers.
J. Lawson Lewis.
Walton k Desionde, auctioneers.
W. Henderson, firm of Henderson &
Gaines.
Gaines k Reif, wholesale crockery
dealers.
J. Burnside.
McStea k Value, wlioleshle dry-goods.
David McCord. president Crescent City
Railroad Company.
Stone & M ur])hy, d> alers in b. ami rone.
A. M. Forture, presivlent Ba of
America.
E. R.Whiitake'', and'tor, custom hou.'-e.
Jona C. White, naval othcer, custom
house.
J. A. Stockdale, deputy collector, cus¬
tom house.
E. Roucheau & Co., commission mer¬
chants.
A. D. Grief à Co., whole.sale grocers.
H. H. Comfort.
L. Faust.
Robert Flynn.
J. W. Harrison,
diaries Vates.
Thomas K. Lanagan.
John French.
John Williams.
G. 0. Warrington.
Henry C. Bartlett.
Charles H. Morgan.
Jarnos Jacksoo.
Pamuel Neiss.
John Durkin, jr.
J. R. West.
Christian W. Wallace.
0. B. Boisfontaine.
Mick. Mnnion.
Thomas B. Wilder.
Charles Loelller.
William H. Nelson
Joseph Gorlinski.
Charles E. Whitmore.
Thomas F. Neiee.
William ITalleniback.
Leon Prats.
William John Black.
W. G. Valentine.
David Barry.
John H. Gerrisson.
Oniu Call.
E. E. Colquhoun.
pat Creagh.
Jacob Hizer.
Ben. Thibodeaux,
T. V. Couplaud
G. Labarre.
Gardner Banks.
E. H. Riddell.
Arth. Roux.
L. J. Coiron.
C. Weingart.
7
Flavius Le Besque.
Warren Stow.
A. R. Ringold.
C. W. Ringold.
Charles E. Ingalls.
Frank H. Green.
P. E. Bechtel.
D. S. Baker.
John H, H. Taylor.
Frederick K. Sturgis.
Charles E. Whitmore.
G. 0. Godwin.
0. L. Taylor.
J. D. Crawford.
Philip Winfree.
John Devonshire, jr.
Henry Webber.
J. E. Sewell.
James McK. Richards.
H. J. Samson.
W. T. St. Preies.
Gus. Hollander.
Thomas H. Jenks.
T. B. Bernard.
Thomas Roux,
Henry Gormley.
0. L. Gardner.
Alfred Russell.
George H. Abbott.
John S. Marsh.
John Tiuiberlake.
C. H. Shute.
A T. Benedic.
John S. Nissell.
James H. Wright.
A. J. Young.
J. W. Farr.
John D. Hardy.
Joseph W. Brown.
Henry Post.
J. A. De Blanc.
George H. Hartwell.
Allen Calwell.
Edward W. Mills.
Joseph Gros.
Jules Dossar.
George Selby.
J. A. Charbonne.
T. A. Wier.
James Wilder.
James No'^ell.
Daniel Wo'.ker.
Aaron Green.
Mark Jackson.
A. D. Salvant.
A. Martin.
J. B. Flotte.
J. M. Johnson.
Edmund O'Brien Butler.
G. Nungesser.
Aug. Couturier & Co.
Eug. La Coste.
William Glannen.
John Lefovre.
T. Bailley Blanchard, jr.
J. G, Spor.
A. Smith.
Louis A. Godefroy.
Carriel,e & Logan.
No.2.
Mayoralty of ISIew Orleans,
City Hall, December 4, 1867.
Whereas b}' the act of Congress, approved 3d June, 1856,
a grant of public land was made, to aid in the construction
of the Kew Orleans, Opelousas and Great Western Railroad
in Louisiana, to be completed within ten years from the date
of said act, which limitation expired on the 3d of June,
1866; and whereas, in view of the vital importance *of said
road, the State, the city of Xew Orleans, and certain parishes,
as authorized by acts of Assembly, subscribed to the original
stock of the company $1,200,000, $1,500,000, and $325,000,
respectively, amounting in the aggregate to $3,025,000,
or more than one-half of the whole capital stock, limited
by its charter to $6,000,000; and whereas said Railroad
Company are about to petition Congress for an act of relief,
to reinstate its land-grant, extend the time allowed for the
completion of the road; and, in consideration of its services
since the capture of the city, in 1862, to authorize the adjust¬
ment and liquidation of its open accounts with the Govern¬
ment ; therefore, be it
1. liesolred by the Mayor and City Council of New Orleans,
That, beyond the heavy stock investments of the State and
8
city, ill said road, we look to it and its coiinections as one of
the most eiiicieiit means of building up our city and develop¬
ing the commercial, agricultural, and manufacturing re¬
sources not only of Louisiana, but of Texas, and evidently
of all the States of the Union, being, in fact, a continuation
of the great internal coast line of railroad from the State of
Maine to the Pacific ocean.
2. Jivxulfcd, That we most cordially unite in the prayer of
the railroad company and of our citizens, and trust that
Congress will grant the relief asked.
3. liesolfid., That the mayor communicate copies hereof,
in triplicate, to the president of the railroad company, to
accompanv the petition to Congress.
(Signed) F. IT. PERTvINS,
President pro tern. Board of Assistant Aldermen.
(Signed) JAm'fS GRAHAM,
President Board of Aldermen.
Approved December 4, 18G7.
(Signed) E. IIEATII, ilanjor.
True cop3'.
[l. s.] GEORGE F. CHILDS, Secretamj.
JSo. 8.
At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of the city of
New Orleans, held on the 4th of November, 18G7, the fol¬
lowing resolution was unanimously adopted :
Pesolved, That the Chamber, duly appreciating the finan¬
cial and commercial importance of the New Orleans, Ope-
lousas and Great Western railroad to our city and State and
our whole people, without respect to class, party, or race, and
the immense increase of trade with the rich wheat, cotton
and sugar-growing regions of Texas which will pour into
our city when completed, most earnestly and cordially unite
in the prayer of the company in their petition to Congress
for an act of relief to reinstate its land-grant, give further
time for the completion of the road, and authorize the ad¬
justment and liquidation of its open accounts with the Gov¬
ernment, and that certified copies in triplicate of this reso¬
lution be sent to the president of the road, to accompany the
petition. ALF. IMOULTON,
President JSew Orleans Chamber of Commerce.
Attest :
Tu. J. Dix, Secretary pro tern.
9
Ko. 4.
Whoreíis the Mechanics' and Agricultural Fair Association
have learned that the people of the city of New Oi'leans and
of the State of Louisiana, in very great numbers, have ad¬
dressed petitions to the Congress of the United States, in¬
viting their attention to, and asking an extension of, the land-
grant n ade to theAew Orleans, Opelousas and Great West¬
ern Eailroad Company, under the act of June 3, 1856, for
the purpose of enabling the said company to build its road
to the Texas line, and for an adjustment of their claim with
the Govei'iimeut ; and whereas this association fully appre¬
ciates the importance of building this road, for the develop¬
ment and prosperity of the States of Louisiana and Texas,
and of the great advantages of such a road to the Govern¬
ment of the United States itself;
liesolccd. That this association cheerfully joins in the pe¬
tition for the extension of time within which the company
must build its road to enjoy the full benefit of the grant;
and they aslc of Congress, also, the adjustment of the un¬
settled account of said company.
liesolved, That an official copy of these preamble and reso¬
lutions be forwarded to the New Orleans, Opelousas and
Great Western Eailroad Company.
J. N. MAEIvS, President.
[l. S.J THOMAS G. EEETT,
¡Secretary and /Super irdendeni.
Ko. 5
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Pepresentatires of the
United States of America^ in Conyress assembled:
The petition of the New Orleans, Opelousas, and Great
Western Eailroad Company, incorporated by the State of
Louisiana, by act of Assembly approved 22d April, 1853,
No. 149, respectfully represents:
That, by the act of 3d June, 1856, a land-grant was made
by Congress to the State of Louisiana, to aid in the construc¬
tion of said road, which was duly accepted on tlie part of the
State, and assigned to this company by an act of the General
Assembly, approved March 16,1857. That by the provisions
of the fourth section of the law of Congress, the road was to
have been completed within ten years ; that is, by the 3d
10
Jnne. 18Gô, or otliorwise the unsold lands should revert to
the United States. That, acting in good faith, your petition¬
ers, with their own means and the substantial aid furnished
,by the State of Louisiana, the city of New Orleans, and cer¬
tain parishes, completed, equipped, and putin operation eighty
miles of its road—by far the most difficult and costly part of
the route, being rather a briclt/e than a road-bed, over broad
swamps and "trembling prairies," from Algiers, opposite
New Orleans, to Brashear, (Berwick's Bay,)—graduated the
line ready for the track about eighty miles further, to a point
near Opelousas, and accumulated large quantities of material
necessary i'or the construction and operation thereof, with¬
out trenching on the donated lands to the amount of $500,
having determined to reserve the same, and the proceeds
thereof, for the completion of the road from Opelousas to its
western terminus on the Sabine river or Texas boundary, for
which latter purpose all the preliminary arrangements, as far
as practicable, had been made to insure the completion of
the entire road within the ten years prescribed b}' law; but,
unfortunately, the war came upon them—a matter entirely
beyond their control, and with which they, as a corporation,
could have no official connection—and not only suspended
operations for more than five years ; but all of their accumu¬
lated new material, and the major portion of their rolling
stock and railroad stores, after the capture of New Orleans,
in April, 18(32, not necessary for the defence of the city, were
transferred from time to time by the Federal officers to the
States of Arkansas, Alabama, and Texas, where it was used
in sustaining the armies of tlie United States. Their machine
sliops also became, during the whole period, the chief estab¬
lishment for the manufacture and general repairs of railroad
stock and steamboats.
That the relations of the managers of this railroad com¬
pany to the Government, from the first day of the capture of
New Grleans, have been entirely friendly, and that the legal
existence of the corporation was at all times officially recog¬
nized by (Major Generals Butler, Baidcs, and Can by, the
military governor. General Shepley, and the acting mayors
of New Grleans, and their subordinate officers, as can be
full}' shown by the records. That from that early period of
the war, 1st May, 18(32, to its close, during which, and until
the transfer of the road to the company again, 1st February,
18b(j, the United States Government, through its officers,
have had the free occupation and use of its road, material,
and machinery for military purposes, having, the first night
11
of the ciiptiire of tlie city, quartered Colonel McMillan's In¬
diana reo'inient in their sjiacious depot at Algiers, and sus¬
pended the running of its trains. That the company never
ceased to kee]) up its organization under their charter, and
was directly recognize<l by Major General Butler, in his
public order No. 20, of 3d May, 18G2, immediately after the
capture of the city, by i-equesting the president and company
to go on and conlinue to operate their road, which was over
and above the immunities and protection promised in hisad-
miiable. just, and liberal public jiroclaniation of 1st May ; by
IMajorGeiierals Banks and Ganbyin various ways, duringtheir
commands; by the regular appointment of State and city
direciois. in accordance with the charter; by the military
governor of the State, and different military mayors of New
Orleans; and in return, every order or requisition of public
otficers was [iromptly and faithfully fultilled by the company.
Besides, a large amount of its stock and bonds are held and
owned by citizens in New York and other Northern cities,
whose interests are of course deeply involved in the success
and welfiire of the road; and the State of Louisiana, the
city of New Orleans, and sundry parishes of the State,
having inamediately subscribed to tlie stock of the company
$1,200,000, $1,500,000, and $325,000, resjiectively amounting
in the aggregate to $3,025,000. more than one-half the cap¬
ital of the company, which is limited by the charter to
$6,000,000, shows the high estimation in wliich this work is
held by the citizens of Louisiana, as well as their heavy
stake in the issue, and furnishes some evidence of its vital
importance to the public. Indeed, the colored citizens, the
freedmen, look to its early e.xtension witlrthe keenest inter¬
est, as the only means of opening a direct and cheap com¬
munication between New Orleans and their new homes,
upon which event, they are well aware, will mainly depend
the success of their settlements and the colonies which they
have in contemplation to form along the route.
In this connection, and as a part of the liistoiy of their
land grants, your petitioners call the atteniion of your hon¬
orable bodies to the fact that, under the apparent equity
involved, the land department at Washington has persist¬
ently withheld the lands witiiin the sections donated to
Louisiana i'or railroad purposes from sale, and has so in¬
structed the Louisiana land-offices. That, before the expi¬
ration of the ten years' limitation, at the session of Congress
commencing Lecember, 1865, a memorial was sent to your
houorable body from the company, which was referred to the
12
liouoral)le Committee on Poblic Lands of the Senate, praying,
for reasons therein stated, an extension of the time for eight
years. The lionorable Senate thereu]ion passed an act ac¬
cordingly, (S. Act Ao. 8d, 1st session 39th Congress.) which
only failed in the House, as the company were afterwards
informed, for political considei'ations, as it was not then
deemed expedient, even thus indirectly, to recognize the
Southern States as States, which objection, if known in time,
could, perhaps, have heen obviated by wording the proposed
law so as to deal directly with the railroad company, and
througii them the peojde of the State, the real jiarties in
interest, as it is now proposed to do.
Lour petitioners thei'ofore, under all tlie circumstances
above mentioned, hninhly pray your honoraliie bodies to
grant them a special act of relief, reinstating their land gi-ant
as it stood on the 3d June, ISUG, when the ten years' limita¬
tion expired, extending the time allowed for the comitletion
of the road eight years, as has been accorded to all the
Nortliern land-grant roads, inclnding those in Arkansas and
Missouri ; and in consideration of their services a.s a company,
to authorize the adjustment and liquidation, by the proper
officers of the Treasury, of their open accounts for pi'ivate
freights, engines, cars, steamboat ami barge, and other rail¬
road pro])erfy, and for the transportation of the Cnited States
mails, as sot forth and respectfully submitted in the acconi-
pan} ing form of a bill, inai'ked A.
And your petitioners ^vill ever pray.
B}' order of the board of directors.
A. B. SEGEBS, Président.
Attest:
Geo. at. Squires, Secretar¡j.
[L. s.]
Ac. oíí.
A hid for the relief of the Xew Orleans. Oiielonsas, and Greed
\\(sicni Ilallroad, Compeini/, of Ijonishaïa.
Be it enarteii /ç/ the Senate and House of Il-'presentatlree of the
United States of jimernai In Conr/rcss assendited. That the gi'ant
of public lauds made by the act of the thii'd of .Tune, eighteen
hundred and fift^'-six, to aid in the construction of the Hew
Orleans, Opelonsas, and Great Western railroad, in Louis¬
iana, to be conqileted in ten years, be, atid the same is hereby,
13
reinstated, with all its rights, privileges, and conditions as
they existed on the third day of'Jnne, eigditeen hundred and
sixty-six: Proiided, That the construction of said road shall
be conn)leted within eight years from the date of this act :
and in consideration of the sei-vices of said road and com¬
pany, rendered the United States during the late war and
since tlie cajiture of Xew Orleans, the proper otlicers of the
Treasni'y are hereby autliorized and required to adjust and
liquidate the open accounts of said company with the De¬
partments of the General Post Ofhce and the Quartermaster
General.
i\h. 6.
Statement of amount paid tnj Hie New Orleans, Opelonsas, and
Great Western liadrond, Vinnpanj/ to the United S'atcs Gorcrn-
ment, on account of bond ijicen for rollinrj stock ami materials
transferred by the United States to said railroad company.
18G6.
February 1. Amount of bond payable in 2 years by instalments, sll3,773 45
CR.
April 30. By cash paid instalment and interest... Çlt.334 71
August 3. do. do. do. 14,751 0 4
October 13. do. do. do. l.i.O'.iy 04
October 13. By mail service 2,301 1.5
December 31. By casli paid iirstalment and interest... 13,109 90
1367.
January 23. By cash paid instalment and interest... 5.122 ('< i
January 31. By mail service 1,991 37
February 28. By tran.sportation of freights and p.as-
songeis 230 20
February 2(S. By casli paid in.slalmerit and interest... 2,823 33
April 4. By tran.siiortation of freight 9 00
April 5. By cash paid instalment 5,116 01
May 0. By mail service 1,994 37
August 31. By transporlation of freights 10.8 OS
September 14. By iiiaii service 2,000 00
October 10. By transporlation freight and passen-
ger.s 700 02
October 2.5. By mail service 2,000 00
November 30. By transportation of freigbts and pas¬
sengers 400 31
iSl.OGd 80
Total amount of principal and interest paid to tlie United
States Government, by tlie New Orleans, Opelonsas, and
Great Western Uaiiroad Company, up to November 30,
14
1867, eighty-one thousand sixty-seven dollars and eighty
cents.
Attest ;
A true copy from the books of the com[iany of tlie New
l- -| Orleans, Opelonsas, and Great Western Railroad Coni-
®-J pany, December 14, 18G7.
GEORGE W. SQUIRES,
SecreUiry.
JSo. 7.
Depaktm' NT of the Ixteriok,
General Land Office, December ds, 18G7.
William T. Steiceh, Escp,
Aycnt Ate" Orleans, Opebusas, 'md Great
]]'cslcni liadroad, Wayhoajtua, D. C.
Sir: In reply to the inquiries contained in your letters of
the '23d inst., I bai'e to state, that under the grant contem¬
plated by the act of June 3, 1856, the following is a state¬
ment of the quantity of land which was certified to the
State, to aid in the construction of the New Orleans, Ope¬
lonsas, and Great Western I'aili'oad of Louisiana, along the
three so:veral sections of the line described, to wit:
1. From Xew Orleans to Berwick's bay, rejected swamp
seleutions 4S.13d.iO
Other vacant lands 1,738.10
10,870.10
2. From Jjorwick's bajMo Ojifdoii.'ias 57,307.Go
3. From Opelonsas to the 8abiiie river 611,351.80
Total 719,193.75
And tliat along the portion of the line from Opelonsas to
the Saliine river, tiie quantity of 778,880 acres remains va¬
cant and suliject to honiesteail entry. The condition of the
statute of 1856, however, is that the road was to be cotn-
pleted within ten years from its date, a compliance being
necessary before the grant became eftective.
Very respectfullv, vour obedient servant,
J08ErH Ö. WILSON,
Commissioner.
Note.—The above shows only 1,738 acres of good land
between New Orleans and Berwick's bay, and that the great
bulk of the road and Government lands lie west of Ope¬
lonsas. W. T. S.
APPEXDIX.
Ao. 1.
Headquarters Department of the Gulf,
New Orleans, Mcvj 1, 1862.
* * îji ^
"All persons well disposed to the United States, who shall
renew their allegiance, will receive sat'egnard and protection
in their persons and property bj- the armies of the United
States, a violation of which will be punishable by death."
yf. ^ îfî ^
"All persotis who ma}- heretofore have given adhesion to
the supposed Government of the Confederate States, oi' have
been in their service, who shall lay down or deliver up their
arms, return to their peaceful occupations, and preserve quiet
and order, holding no further correspondence, nor giving
aid and comfort to tiie enemies of the United States, will not
be disturbed in person or property, except so far, under orders
of the commanding general, as the exigencies of the public
service may render necessary."
* * * *
"All rights of property, of whatever kind, wdll be held in¬
violate, subject only to the laws of the United States."
^ ^ ^
"By command of Major General Butler:
" G. B. Stronh, Ass'i A<Jj'l Gen., Chief of ,Staff."
(See Moore's Kebellion Keeord, documents 1, vol. 5,
page 1.)
No. 2.
Headquarters Department of the Gulf,
New Orleans, May 3, 1862.
General Orders,
No. 20.
The president, directors, and company of the Opelousas
railroad are authorized and required to run their cars over
16
the road, for the purpose of bringing to the city of IsTew
Orleans provisions, marketing, and supplies of food, which
may be offei'ed, in order to supply the wants of the city.
iN'o ])assengers are to be permitted to come into the city,
and none others are to leave the city. All other supplies
are prohibited transportation over the road either way, except
cotton and sugar, which may be safely brought over the road,
and will be ptirchased at the fair market value, by the United
States, in specie, The transmission of live stock is especially
enjoiried. An agent of the city government will be allowed
to i)ass over the road cither way, stopping at all points, on
the faith of a pledge of such government agent that he
transmits no intelligence, and affords no aid to the Con¬
federates.
The officer commanding the post having the terminus of
Bttch road within his pickets, will cause a thorough inspec¬
tion of the cars and boats, for the purpose of furthering this
order, and will oifer no further hitidrance so long as this
order is in good faith com])lied with.
By command of Major General Butler.
G. C. «TROXG, Ä. A. Gen.
No. 3.
8tate (Tf Louisiana, Executive Department,
Xew Orleans, February 4, 1S63.
Special Order, 1
No. 23. /
J. (j. A. Fellows, II. F. Yennard, and John A. Hitchcock
are herelty a¡)pointed directors, on the part of the State of
Louisiana, of the New Orleans, Opelousas, and Great
Western Bail road Company.
By order of
Brig. Gen. G. F. SHIPLEY,
Military Governor of Louisiana.
James F. Miller,
aLss'i: Adj'l General.
No. 4.
State of Louisiana, IMavoralty of New Orleans,
City Hall, April G, 1864.
Gentlemen ; You are hereby appointed directors of the
17
Opelousas Railroad Compan}-, on the part of the city of iXew
Orleans.
Will yon take immediate steps for an investigation of the
affairs nf said coni[)any, for the protection of the city interest
therein, and report to this office.
By order :
STEPHEN HOYT,
Captain U. S. A., Acting Mayor.
B. L. Gibbins, Secretary.
To A. F. CociiRAx,
G. W. R. Bayley,
Geo. F. Brott,
Aew Orleans.
No. 5.
Extract from the Report of the chief engineer, (G. W. R.
Bayley), accompanying the annnal report of the company
of 1st January, 1867. (Page 58.)
" The tirst division of eighty miles, extending to Berwick's
Bay, (Brashear City,) was completed in 1857, and has been
regularly operated since. The first twenty-four miles ex¬
tends up the right hank of the Mississippi river to Boutte
station, in the parish of St. Charles; thence the line follows
a ridge of high and fertile land, now settled throughout,
for eight miles, to the Bayou Des Allemands, the natural
drain of the basin between the ^Mississippi and Bayou La¬
fourche. From Des Allemands, at the thirty-second mile,
the line crosses u rnarshy yrrmVfe, containing islands of cypress
titulier, for six miles, and then reaches the high lands of
Bayou Lafourche. At Raceland station, forty miles from
Algiers, a branch track of two miles in length extends to tlie
bank of the Lafourche. From Raceland the line runs up
the left liank of the Bayou Lafourche twelve miles farther,
to the Lafourche crossing, ñfty-two miles. Between the La¬
fourche and Terrebonne the line crosses the Nafourchc and
Devil's swainp and the Bayou L'Eau Blue ridge. From
Terrebonne station lines of omnibuses or carriages run to
Thebodeaux and llouma. Alter leaving the Terrebonne
highlands, the -line crosses « cypress swamp four miles loide to
the Chacahoula ridge, follows said ridge about two miles,
crosses the Tiger swamp, and reaches the Bayou Black at
Tigerville. The Bayou Black is navigable for steamboats
9
18
nnd schooners thence to the gulf, at Atchafalava bay. From
Tigcrville the line runs clown the right Viank of the Black
about tlii'ee miles, crosses the L'Ourse ritlge and the Bœvf
siccniip, three miles iriile, to the Bayou Bceuf,,seventy-three
miles: from the Bœuf the line, after crossivrj a swcanp, fol¬
lows the Tiger Island highlands to Brashear, eighty miles."
He reports, 28th December, 18G7 : " Between Algiers and
Biaushcar, (eighty miles,) we cross nine and a half miles of
sea marsh and tifteen and a half miles of cypress swamp.
(Total twenty-five miles.) All the lands (¡ilmust without ex¬
ception) on this portion of our line are worthless sea-marsh,
not worth five cents ])er acre. The high and good lands
were all sold to individuals or donated to the State long he-
fore any grant was made."
i^o. 6.
From the New Orleans Crescent, October 20, 1SG7.
The Xew Orleaxs asd Geeat AVesteicx Baileoad Com-
i'axy.—Among the most important enterj)rises in which ISTew
Orleans and the people of Louisiana have an interest, is the
comjiletion of the Aew Orleans, Opelousas and Great A^est-
crn rail way to the, Texas line. Both the city and State have
a largo and direct pecuniary concern in the successful prose¬
cution of this great design. Thep', with certain parishes,
hold more than one-half of the capitid stock of the road.
These enormous aids would not have been extended, hut for
maidfest advantages to accrue from the completion of the
work in accordance with the phins of its projectors. The
railway will open iijito irnmigndion and develojtnient. a very
large and vtduahle hut now useless area of this State, to the
hcnefit of our home and foreign trade, and to the great in¬
crease of the viduation of the taxable ¡iroperty of Louisiana.
It will give an impetus to production in {)arts of the State
now under cultivation, by affording hotter access to our
market. Jt will ])ut us wdthin easy roach of the great agri¬
cultural em|iire of Texas, for the possession of wiiose trade
Northern cities arc now making great exertions-—exertions
whicdi are sure to he in a great measure successful, unless
th.e Opelousas railway is sjieedily completed.
The States oí Louisiana and Texas are not alone interested
in this line of interior communication. It is otie of the
19
links of the great chain of railways extending from Portland,
Maine, along the entire eastern and southern border of the
United States, and wliicii must tinally terminate on the
Pacific. The commerce of the nation must ultimately be
benefited by the construction of this road in accordance with
its charter, t^i a degree we cannot now measure. Tiie Gov¬
ernment of tlie United States will sliare in the good it will
confer, in the sale of public lands which will by it be brought
into market, and iti the advantages it will offer for the trans¬
portation of troops, mails, etc.
The interi'Liption wdiich was caused by the war in the
building of this road has proved the source of a great danger
to its prosperity. The land-grant which it received from the
General Government has been withdrawn, owing to the non-
completion of the road within the time specified. The com¬
pany is also embarrassed bj' the fact that its dues from the
Government, amounting to a large sum,liave not been liqui¬
dated. If Congress will restore the land-grant and authorize
the settlement of the accounts of the company with the Gov¬
ernment, we may hope to see something like a decided re¬
newal of progress in the construction of the road.
In consideration of these circumstances, the following
petition to Congress has been drawn up, ami on Monday will
be at the counting-room of the Crescent and at the offices of
the other city dailies, for signatures. We earnestly hope that
our citizens will not neglect the opportunity thus offered to
testify their sense of the importance of this great enterprise,
and to contribute somewhat to its success:
From the New Orleans Tribune.
The New Orleans, Opelousas and Gre.at Western Kail-
road Company.—Our readers will find in the advertising
columns of the Tribune the form of a petition which is now
in circulation, praying Congress to reinstate that company
in its land-grant, extend the time for the completion of the
road, and to authorize the adjustment and liquidation of its
open accounts with the Government. The completion of
this road will be a source of wealth, prosperity, and geo¬
graphical importance for our city. Our citizens are too well
animated with a spirit of enterprise not to contribute in the
achievement of this great work. It will benefit every mem¬
ber of society. IVe expect to see the farms established all
along the road, and the small cultivators able to send through
that road their products to the great mart of New Orleans.
It must be borne in mind that this move comes from the
pe()i)le, and not from the company. "We hope to see all our
citizens sign this petition. It is ot their interest to do so.
A copy of the petition will be found for signatures at the
counting-room of every newspaper of our city.
From the New Orleans lîejmblican, of October 20, 1867.
The ()pelous.\s Railroad.—The charter for the Nevr Or¬
leans, Opelousas, and Great Western I'ailroad contemjilated
the completion of the work from New Orleans to the Texas
State line, but the war forcibly interrupted the building of
the same, and left the terminus at Brashear City, to which
point it had been completed before the rebellion. According
to the terms of the grant of land. Congress required the road
to be built and stocked within a prescribed time after the
acceptance of the franchise. That the company entered
upon the work in good faith, no one \vill deny. But they
have as certainly failed, from no fault of their own, to suc-
ceeil, and legally they have forfeited their right to title in
the granted lands. And the same i-easons which existed for
the original grant, now bear with force upon the i)r()position
to renew it. It is entirelj' within the power of Congress to
renew the grant, by extending the time for the complelion of
the road to such reasonable period as may be necessary for
the work.
The importance of this road to this State and Texas, as
well as to the public land interest along its line, cannot be
over-estimated. Every citizen of the two States has a direct
pecuniary interest in its early completion. A copy of the
petition has been left at our otKce lor signatures, and ive
hope all who feel an interest in the matter will sign it. If
enough names of the projier kind of persons can be ob¬
tained, there is little doubt that Congress will take prompt
tavorable actiou.
B ithout ample railroad facilities, New Orleans will be
forced to fall back to a third or fourth-rate position in the
rank of large cities, and see the immense trade to which her
natural advantages entitle her diverted permanently into
other channels. We have more real interest in the Opelou¬
sas railroad than we have in the Northern elections.
21
From the New Orleans Daily Picayune, of October 20, 1867-
The Opelousas Railroad.—Our readers will find below
a memorial whieli commends itself to their most hearty and
earnest support, whatever their political opinions or past
predilections. The Opelonsas railroad, wliich is cltiefiy
owned hy our State and city, and which lias so fur progressed
towards the region of profit and plenty as to he in sight of
the promised land, has, hy the interruption of the war, and
the occupation of the military forces, suttered a lapse of the
grant of lands made to it conditionally hy the United States
Government. It is to the interest of every man. white and
black. Federal and Confederate, rich or poor, Re[)nhlican
and Conservative, in this community, that the grant of lands
to this road of the State and city should ho renewed ; thai
tlie adjoining lands he made profitable to those wdio enter
or receive grants of them as bounties; that the trade which
will come over it should give our poor men emiiloyment,
and our rich men great increase of their wealth, and that the
State and city should oljtaiu value received for its expendi¬
tures, and thus every man be benefited h}' relief from his
direct or indirect taxation.
The lists for subscription to this most imiiortant memorial
will he found at the offices of the Picayune, Bee, Times, Cres¬
cent, and Jiepnblican, and Mr. George Ellis's hook-store,
opposite the post office.
From the New Orleans Daily Bee, of October 20, 18G7.
The New Orlean,s, Opelousa.s, and Gre.at Western
Railway.—Our readers are aware that this importent enter¬
prise was cut short by the advent of the war. Had not that
ptiralyzing condition of things overtaken the operations of
the company, we should ere now have been by this route in
rail communication with the rich section of the State beyond
the Atchafalaya, and with the great cities of Houston and
Galveston, in Eastern Texas. This railroad was projected
primarily with the object not only of giving an outlet hy
land to the ^Vttakajias parishes—a speedy communication to
Westeim Louisiana with the great market of New Orleans—
hut ultimately to form a liidv in the great chain of I'ailroad
between Texas and the Northern States, to bring Eastern
Texas and the Mississippi within twenty-four hours' travel
of each other, and to avoid the disagreeable and sometimes
stormy sea [lassage hy way of the Gulf, and thus oi)en up a
o-t
most productive section of our State, hitherto comparatively
shut off from eommunication witii the outer world. It is
not astonisiiing, when \ve consider the hligliting effects of
war, that tlic company liave been unable to realize the grand
antici[uitions of its projector.^, and that they have been com¬
pelled to rest contented with a partial operation of the line;
but it is essential to the prosperit}' of New Orleans, and of
the country through nhicli the road is intended to run, that
the design of its originators should now be taken up and
pushed forward, until the whole scheme shall have been
completed. Such a movement is on foot. We ]niblish to-day,
in our advertising columns, the text of a petition prepared
for the signature of our merchants and other citizens, and
addi'cssed to the Congress of the United States, setting forth
the advantage.'; to be gained b}' the two great States of Lou¬
isiana and Texas from a completion of tliis railroad, and
praying that the grant of lands to the company, made by
that bodv, might be reinstated, the time stipulated for the
completion of the line extended, and the adjustment and
liquidation of the open accounts of the Government with the
comjjany authorized. This petition may he signed at the
office of the Bee, 73 Clnirtres street, and it is superfluous to
urge the prompt co-o[)eration of our mercantile friends in a
matter so impoi'tant to them and to all classes of the com¬
munity.
All pei'sous interesteil and disposed to join in the prayer
of this petition, are invited to append their signatures to it,
without loss of time.
From the New Orleans Times, of October 20, 18Ö7.
Attention is specially directed to the petition elsewhere in
behalt oí the New Gileans, G[ielousas, and Great Western
Kail road Company. We are I'equestecl to state that copies
of tiie same for signatures will be found at tiie offices of the
Times, Bicaijuiie, Bulletin, Crescent, Bee, and Jieimblican.
The Cn.tMiiER on Co.mmerce and the Opelousas Rail-
R0.\i).—The iollovviiig shows that our Chamber of Commerce is
alive to the interests which it represents, and is enlightcnedly
disposed to throw all its wciglit in favor of this as well as all
oihcr great and ])rogrossivc inovcmeuts of the day.
'Jdiis road, which would have been more approjiriately named
23
tlie New Orleans, Texas and Great Western Railwa^y, is em-
])liatical!y a trunk road, wliicli, wlien it makes connections with
Texas roads, will be one of the most important and heavily used
thorougiifares on tiio continent. We except none. Roads
througii populous regions North have rival means of communi¬
cation ; but Texas, with no rivers which can be called navigable,
except fitfully, and with no ports suitable for safe and extensive
commerce, must be dependent on railroads; and unless we are
supplanted by roads built northward, our city must] do their
business.
Why Congress should hesitate altout restoring to this road
its grant of lands and relieving it from paying I'or its own pro¬
perty, used profitably by the United States for over three years,
we cannot see ; for nearly all the ])aid up stock belongs to the
State and city, whose governments are in the hands of the
friends of Congress, and the debts due by the company are
owing to northern men. The North, too, is as much interested
as we in encouraging railway intercourse with Texas. In fact,
as a military road, to be used by the Government, it would be,
when completed, of vast uscliilness to it. How can there be a
moment's hesitation on the subject?
From the New Orleans Tribune, November 10, 1867.
The New Orleans, Opelohsas and Great Western Rail¬
road.—A ])Ctilioii at our ollice may be signed, praying Congress
to reinstate to the Opelousas Railroad Cumpany their land grant,
as it stood when the limitation ex[iired. We invite our fellow
citizens, and more particularly our friends, to join in signing
that petition.
The facts are these. By an act approved the 3d day of June,
1856, a land grant was made l)y Congress to the State of
Louisiana, to aid in the construction of the New Orleans, Ope¬
lousas and Great Western Railroad. Said grant was assigned
to the company by an act of the General Assembly of Louisiana,
approved March 16, 1857. In the act of Congress it was pro¬
vided that the road should be completed within ten years, and
that in case of non-compliance with that provision, the unsold
lands should revert to the United States, at the exjiiration of
the period of ten years.
Now, that jieriod has elapsed, and the road is not completed.
But is the company in fault? The war has interfered with their
work; the military authorities have seized a part of their mate¬
rial, and used their machine shop. During four years, out of
24
tlie ton ffivcn 3'earR, it was a matter of ntter impossibility to ad¬
vance the Imildiiig up of that railroad.
Still the Stale at largo and the cil,y of New Orleans are greatly
intcnvled in the completion of the road. 'I'hc Opelonsas rail¬
way will he our great Stale thoronglifarc towards the West.
An immense traffic will be carried 011 throng'h that road, with
the Opelonsas country, the whole western part of the State and
the border counties of Texas. We must all desire that the
comjtany be reinstated into their grant, and tliat they be able to
resume work.
'i'hc city of New Orleans has a peculiar interest in the matter.
It has not only to look at the benefit that cntei-prise will bring
nj)on tlie community at large; but it holds l^l..j00,000 of the
stock of the Opelonsas Railroad Comi)any. Under sucli circum¬
stances it would be but ])ropor for the City Council to join, in
an official ca])aeity, the movement 011 foot to petition Congress.
Wo hope to sec, within a few yoar.s that im|>ortant line of
commuincatioii com|)leted, and we wish, therefore, to see the
company restored in the possession of the laud grant that bad
been coiiferred upon it.
From the New Oi-leans Daily Picayune, December 2Ö, 1SG7.
Opei.ousas R.viliioan Ijaxd Grant.—A bill has been intro¬
duced in Coiigi-ess, having for its object the forfeiture of the
land grants lo southern railroads. Wc propo.-e to show that
the aiiuiilmcnt of the to the Now Orleans, Opelonsas,
and Great ^Vest^nl Railroad would work gweataiid irreparable
injury to all classes of our citizens, of whatsoever race, color,
or coiidilion, and particularly to the frcedmoii of Louisiana.
This road is intended to connect New Orleans with the rail¬
road system of Texas, and to open for settlement and develop¬
ment the whole of that fertile region now almost a wilderness,
bceaiise oid\- of its reinotem>ss from and inueeessibility to the
N<'w (drlcans market—-the wesleni and southwestern jiortions
ol rjonisiana. The United States and the State of Louisiana
hei'e own several millions of acres of land, e([ual to any in the
(iountry, which ha\ o remained unsold for a (|narlci' of a century
lor want oí railroad commnnieatioii with New Orleans. Here
is a country imsni'passed foi- fertility and for hcalthfnlnoss of
climate, capable ol snpjiovtiiig a large ]K)pnla lion, and of afford¬
ing homesloads (or tens of thousands of families, which only can
be made availnblo and desirable for eoloiii/.aiion by means of
railroads. Would it not be a wise policy to aid and encourage
the construction ol tlie necossary railroads ? The quantity of
land accruing to the road under the grant, about 700,(100 aci'es,
is a mere traction of what remains to the General (îovernment
and to the State of Louisiana. The State of Louisiana alone
owns about ] ,400,000 acres within the limits of the railroad grant,
or double the quantity donated to aid in the construction of the
road, besides millions of acres between the i-aili'oad grant and the
sea-coast. The coin|)letion of the railroad ^\■onld create a de¬
mand for these State lands, and alford a Ihnd for rebuilding the
Mississippi levees and reclaiming the alluvial lands from over¬
flow. Now, the Slate lauds in the Mississippi valley cannot be
sold, because they are annually overñowed, and the so-called
swamp lands in the prairie and pine woods u])lands of the west
and southwest are unsalealde, because they are too remote from
market. Aid in the building of the railroad, and the sale of
the one will furnish the means for I'eclaiming and selling the
other.
No better terms could he made with the General Govern¬
ment, or State, for homestead settlements, than with the rail¬
road com])any; lor it is the policy of land grant roads to sell
on long credit and on easy terms, to encoui-age settlements and
increase business, and lands can fie thus paid for in labor, cross-
ties, lumber, etc. The construction of the railroad would give
profitable enpiloyment to thousands of laboring freedmen, and
the use of the road, when built, would make their homesteads
valuable and enable them to sell what their lands would jiro-
duce. The maintenance of the road itself, after it is built, would
give employment to a largo number. "With the j-ailroad, the
country will be settled up; without it, it will remain as before,
a comparative wilderness, of no use or benefit to any.
"VNHio constitute the Opelousas Railroad Comjiaiiy? Its stock¬
holders. Who are the stockholders? The total payments on
stock subscriptions amount to something less than ^3,255,000
City of New Orleans . . . ,$1,.500,0(10
State of Louisiana . . . 050,000
Parishes or counties . . . 430.tl0()
Individuals, South and North . . 075.000
$3,2.55,000
The city of New Orleans and the State of Jjouisiana, there¬
fore, own S2,150,000, or about two-thirds of the whole stock.
The Opelousas Railroad is therefore a road belonging princi¬
pally to the city of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana, and
the forfeiture and annulment of its land grant would be a heavy
loss to the State. The bonds of the city and State issued for
stock must remain a burden upon both, even if, by the loss of
the grant, the road is forced into bankruptcy, sold out to tiie
.3
26
bondholders, and the entire stock, public and private, is lost,
while the extension and conipletion of it is postponed indefi¬
nitely.
The history of the land ,<i'rant is as follows: On the 3d of
June, iS.'it), ¡I o-raiit of six sections of land per mile of road was
made by t'onu-rcss, on the conditions that the whole road, 2.58
miles in Iciyadh, should be completed in ten years, and that the
lands so p'i'anted could only be sold opposite each consecutive
twenty miles of road built. About 700,00(1 acres of land were,
under this irrant, selected and conveyed to the company; Imt it
took the land ollicers of the United States five years to select the
lands and complete the transfer, or until 1861, too late to make
sales. Ayain, no vacant lands of any value or (|uantity were
found subject to the grant, except opposite the last 130 miles
of the line; and these, under the conditions specified, could not
be sold until the road was completed opposite them. The com¬
pany ex|tended (juitc a large amount for selections, listiiur. ex¬
aminations and pre[)aration3 for sale, but out of the 700,000
acres conveyed to them they sold only one hundred and seventy-
seven acres. Up to the present time, therefore, the land grant,
instead of aiding in the construction of the road, has oidy been
an expense, and through no fault of the railroad company.
Furthermore, the com])any has always been held to the terms
of the grant, and have cheerfully complied therewith in respect
to the transportatioii of (lovernmcnt troo|)S, material, etc.
The United States realized a very large amount, in gold,
from the sales at. auction, at Opelousas, of the Government re¬
served sections within th(i grant limits, which for the reason that
they had been withheld fi'om sale for several years, and the
railroad being extended through them, brought high prices.
The railroad company could not sell in this manner for reasons
above slated.
So far the United States has been the only gainer by the
grant, in sales of land and in transportation over the roads as
above explained.
Ibit for the interru])tion which occurred in 1.861 and since, to
the work of constructing the road, the X. (). ()., and G. W.
Railroad would, l)eyond a doubt, have been completed within
the limit of the time mentioned in the grant. Eighty miles of
road were completed ami in operation; eighty miles were graded
ready for track laying, ami the work of graduation was in course
ot ra]»id extension towards the tcrminiw on the Sabine river.
Rails and ties were contracted for and means wei-c piaivided to
complete the wdiole road rapidly. Owing to causes beyoiul
the control of the railroad company, the road was not cora|)Íeted
within the limit oí time, and the grant lapsed; but, a.s the Hon.
27
Mr. Julian lias justly stated to Congress recently, the company
have faithfully and fully complied with the terms of the grant
except as to time.
The question now is, shall the grant he renewed and increased
as has been done to all the land grant railroads in Arkansas,
or shall it be declared forfeited and annulled ? If it is renewed
and increased, in agreement with the policy adopted towards
railroads in Arkansas and other States, and towards the great
Pacific Railroad, we are certain that means can he raised to
complete the Opelousas road to and into Texas. Its extension
and completion would result in incalculable benefit to every
citizen of Xew Orleans and Louisiana, and also to the State and
United States as great landed pro|)rietors. It would give em¬
ployment and homes to thousands now in want and destitution.
The completion of the road and the saving to the city of New
Orleans and the State of their investments in its stock, are
matters of tlie very highest importance, for this stock then
would be second in value to none in the country, and w'ould con¬
tribute largely towards the expenses of the State and city gov¬
ernments, and thus diminish taxation.
The Convention now assembled could not do anything more
conducive to the public good than to urge upon Congress to ex¬
tend the Opelousas land grant, and aitl in the completion of
this, to us, all-important ]>ublic work. Now, more than ever
before, we need the i-ailroad connection with Texas. The suc¬
cessive overflows of the Mississippi valley have caused the ruin
of the planting interest, while trade and business of all kinds are
fearfully depressed. Give us a railroad to Texas, and we are
saved; renew tue land grant, and we will have the railroad.
ftOONB.
JUN 1 7 1941
5556 041 999707