Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-13

vored to enlighten him for twelve months past and
congratulate him and myself that the passage he quotes
from my letter of Nov 23d 1849 "removed at last all
doubts as to my opinion, viz have often said your
company owed me money they were unwilling to pay;
that considered myself aggreved and outraged by its
course towards me-" The company took possession
May It'll l849 OF the road constructed by me to Shad
well Depot; thence forward carving mail messengers
and freight upon it. The Engineers estimate of the
work received at this date, subsequently furnished me-
viz: Station 919 $905S, which does not include
my damages and extra work. subject to credit for ten
shares OF stock leaving nett amount of about $780,
600: the company's books show payments to MAY 9Th,
inclusive of $4,000 On the 23d Of November the en-
tire amount OF payments, as per conpany's books had
risen to ST. $50, $4,7l6 OF which had been paid ia
monthly payments since May 9th, stated in the letters
OF the Secretary RENTING the to be for month
~ estimates Tor work then in progress beyond Station
9l9, and executed since that time This does not in
clude large contested amount, which forms the out
rage OF which complain. By contract the company
binds itself to pay monthly IS per cent of the work
done, the residue when the work is received | think
these lacts shoW that the expression quoted from my
letter OF Nov. 23d by the President was warranted in
dependent oil the contested amount the refusal which
consider fragrant injustice attempted to he nerpe-
trated upon me. The delay Of which the President
complains in presenting my contested claim has arisen
from his Engineers refusing to make an alternate mea-
surement upon the rock excavation, disputed and
peling to procure an Engineer off the road which
has been difficult from their respective engagements
He alleges that my first act of friendship to the
Louisa Co., was to claim very high damages for the
personal matter in which the public feel no interest
should say nothing about it, did not my explanation
afford specimen OF Colonel Fontanes official
duct.
My first act was not to charge heavy damages as he
asserts but to sign agreement to take my damages
in stock, and to place it in the hands Of individual
with directions that he should deliver it to the Louisa
Co.. il respectable number of land owners could be
Drought toJon IN the agreement. This plan failed and
Commissioners were then appointed in the usual man
ner by nomination to the Court made Jointly by the
n ontyI at,,n
too low as thought, yeti signied to the Louisa Co.
my willingness to abide by the assessment. Col Fon-
tame declined to do so, qaased the assessment with
out resistance on my pa and sent the case back to
new Commissioners, who gave me higher damages
than their predecessors.
This was not all. He asked the County Court for
certain instructions to the Commissioners which were
refused He then appealed to the Superior Court which
sustained the County Court. Smarting under this
double defeat he informed the Louisa Co that sense
OF duty to the OF internal Improvement required
him to test the ohe decision in the highest
APPELLATE Tribunal. Yet sbch was the notorious in
correctness OF the legal position taken by him that he
d mas not dafea TO lu ms pledge and both his sense OF
duiy and the obnoxious judgment still sumber undis-
turbed Thus by Col Fontanes incorrigibe taste for
controversy the Louisa Co. put to heavy expense
ana embroed with the community, in yindication of
principles apabiy violating both law and justice.
Col Fontanes defect OF memory shows itself also in
relation to the Rvanna improvement When he was
soliciting our subscriptions tor the Western extension he
promised rate of freights which we all pronounced
would at once supersede the batteaux navigation of the
Rivanna After completing the road the freghts were
so high that, with the disadvantage the river of dry
season. the railroad only reduced its tonnage II per
cent. sent oil a crop by the railroad Notwithstanding
the high rates and was in uncleaned stock
cars and arrived in such horrible condition render
the flour difficult OF SALE The James River and Kama
Wha Company without my knowledge or that of the
Rlvanna Directory, in which board have held seat
Tor niteen years, obtained appropriation to connect
the Rivanna with the James River Canal This imposed
upon the company the necessity of improving for horse
boats or giving up their improvement They preferred
the former, and have exered myself with the people
OF fluyanna to induce them to contribute to the work
IN their county. have not desired the people of Able
marie 10 subscribe to bring it to Charlottesville but as
sure the Colonel when the time arrives, | shall use
every exertlon to induce them to do Because it is
our interest," and we will also support the railroad yea
lousy; we desire both 10 succeed. What agency the
competition gotten up by Col. Fontane with the James
River Canal IN carrying passengers between Richmond
and Lynchburg may have had in stimulating the James
River Company to make the Rivanna connection, !
know not nor do know what part othe fare OF S. So
alter payingt tor nnetyeigh miles OF staging acerues to
the Louisa Company upon each passenger.
1t appears from the Presidents last communication
that rivalry has been the spectre which has haunted the
IMAGINATION rising like Banquo's ghost frighennp him
from all proprleY, and that it was necessary TO xiii
me OH with his company, to restore his peace of
mind. Now do assure him that do not desire his
Office that never could have afforded to DISCHARGE its
duties Tor the salary, and would not accept it under
present circumstances.
imaginative in his facts, fertile and vuperative in his
must take my leave of Col Fontaine-
cannot consent to wade through his periodicals. of
dull defamation, perverted facts reckless assertion and
innocent The game is not worth the candle he NAV
write in future with mpunty: shall neither read nor
reply TIL. j. RANDOLPH
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