Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-04-23
Proposition of a French Gentleman TO com
plete the Public Works of Virginia.

Inc hahaNha NalleN Star pu"''~'V" I" ~
ter of II French gentleman, Mr.. +. B'Llot
dies Minlere-. addressed To Gov. Wise. con
tanning a proposition made 10 the govern
ment and people, of Virginia. for the compile
ton, Mt once, al ali their internal improve
ments. The Star understands that the
responsibility Of the protector Of the pr"p"-
sitions. and the ability to comply with It's
propositions. are not doubted. We are una
bic 70 give the letter At length, but place
before the reader lis material points:
Under these considerations. we ask the
State either TO sell 10 Us, Ut {" lease Temporal
rily or { reyer. all lines Of communication
lat lis disposal either by land or water,
commenced, proposed, or necessary. We
offer TOO to the State either a loan 81 the ne
cessary money for the finishing al the works.
by the State itself: or the direct enter
prise. continuation and completion OF the
said works by IL. And in ease tn" State
should not be- able n act i'll lts own name, we
ask its help n concerns the chartered COM
panies.
Il am treating with the President OF the
James River and kanawha Company, Tor
the negotiation in regard to what his compa-
nv is concerned: but we have the convection
that the James River and kanawha Coinpa-
ny cannot contract alone.
III We do not negotiate in the same time
with the State. and if wc did not obtain ITS
consent and support in the measures t" be
adopted. the operation would ne. II not en-
tircly impossible. at least Il dangerous one.
Consequently, | have the honor 10 ask
your eXccIlcncy I" let me know. as tar rs
your constitutional powers and attributIons
are concerned, in which measure and on
which form the State Of Virginia would, and
could be able to consent. IL participate ana
10 facilitate Il treaty between u and the
James River and kanawha Company, for tn"
purpose Of this said work.
THE Railroads to terminate are:
lst. The Alexandria. Loutoum and liamp-
shire railroad.
2d. The Fredericksburg and Gordonsville
Railroad.
Sd. The Manassas Gap Railroad.
18th. The Richmond and York River Rail
road.
9TH. The Virginia Central Railroad.
9th. The COvington and Ohio Railroad.
Il am aware that of these six Railroads,
one only, the Covington and Ohio Railroad.
is the entire property OF the State. ask,
relatively to the five first named Railroads,
if the State would and could be able TO do
for them. something like what has been said
aud asked for. previously. concerning the
James River and kauawha Canal: | ask
further if the State would facilitate a con-
tract which finally would promote the general
welfare of the State?
by these words. to facilitate | mean a
guarantee of IN interest or an appropriation.
What would be- the terms. conditions and
ways?
What quantity of works executed?
What quantity to execute?
What appropriations have been made by
the State?
What new appropriation TO expect?
How much has been spent for each of
these six Railroads. taken separately?
What amount of necessary money Tor
each of the said six Railroads?
In Il wnrd, in what measure the State
would come 10 the relief of these companies:
AS 10 the C%uyingtou and Ohio Railr"ad
specially. that is the property Of the State, l
ask the State. what terms would be possible"
to make III arrangement between us aud the
State, that would guarantee the completion
of that Railroad. in 4 given time: and this
by the cession to It's Of the said Railroad. or
by a loan of money to the State. or by the
undertaking and completion Of this Railroad
BY ourselves. acting ~ mere contractors
Il came here Ia ask the State 10 furnish
me with the conditions possible, or more I"
the convenience Of the State 10 arrlS" M
these said objects ~ regards ~ we'll the Gov
ington and Ohio Railroad ~ any other Rail
road or public works whatsoever?
=. ,,,nsti,u. az rnuIltIpnS Ia he ctsStr-
we'd. and without Offering or refusing special
IL q loan or the cession To us Of the works.
we are greatly in favor Of this proposal {:
The completion OF the works, 10y u. a. con-
tractors.
If the State had made. or either would
be- able to make the necessary appropria-
tons, the question should be very simple;
bur. NJ the State cannot pay the contractors
in cash on hands. ! believe the question is To
find some combinations hy means OF which
the amount of the work, 10 be done. may be-
paid 10 the commo satisfaction Of both par.
ties, the State AMI the contractors.
81 am not familiar enough with th" tnan-
cial system Of the State for taking the iM'tt1-
IRE Of a specinri m,opo@al: therefore ! ask
the State to say: What would lie possible" I;
What would please it most?
eff a ionm. what amount what terms.
conditions. mode. time and plac" ui delivery:
What WAYS aud terms Of reimbursement?
"lf sinkinq ,fumd is app''si n Ms Loan.
in which way? what guarantr" of interest :
IF a sale ~ teas, "t the roTkS I" rs. what
conditions, in either case. for each work
If an enterprise bp rs IF he m"'hS. as
mere coutyact"rS. what separately TIA" amount
Of the works IL be done? hat q"""t'tY,
nature. raius. ani e>t'maie NJ H' rothS b">E
and 10 he DONE!
What obligations for us, a regards III"
completion and delivery al tt" works? W hat
guarantees the State asks us {" furnish -
What nature and amount of securities must
be given rccipro"atively Y. in n wort. by Us to
the state. by III" STAT" or companies t" u:
OF course. we i" offer every security
which is generally offered in such u mattcr.
~ regards the nature and Importance OF
the works, and what i commonly prartl>ed
As well as to the general rule. in every coun-
try. rs to that which may be- particularly
required bv the laws or usagc> Of Virginia.
For ourselves. we would ask the same re-
ciprocity.
What shonlI be TIE nature and security
Of the payments ~ tn" State ar companies.
acting under the control or assistance ut th"
S,,,, oitL.r , roo,rI, rhn lanes River and