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                         RICHMOND FREDERICKSBURG & POTOMAC RAIL ROAD COMPANY
                                            President's Office
                                             Richmond, April 4, 1861.

My Dear Sir

     On my return from a necessary absence from home from Saturday morning till yesterday evening I received your letter of the 19t first. Late Friday night I also received your telegram of that day in relation to the Potomac votes. I am proposing a meeting in Baltimore or Washington. This it would now be impossible for me to do. My constant presence here is of the most importance to the company's interests; and it is at least doubtful whether going to Washington I should be allowed to return. You however from your residence in Philadelphia and being well know there would not experience the same difficulty if a personal interview be necessary. Even in the the event of flagrant hostilities, which seems now imminent, you might under the flag of truce pass freely between the contending sections. Your Telegram and letter both indicate that you are perfectly informed as to the existing state of things here. I consider it nothing less than actual war. Business is neglected our people as one man are devoting themselves to drilling and military preparations. I spent Sunday and Monday with parts of Saturday and Tuesday Staunton where I found the people more active and united if possible than here. Troops of Volunteers were hourly pouring in from all the western counties. Some eight companies from Augusta and three from Rockbridge had already gone to Harper's Ferry and others were speedily to follow. On Monday $50'000 were voted by the Augusta County Court in aid of the volunteers and double and triple that mount was promised if needed, A.H.H Stuart warmly seconding the measure. There is Doubt and Difficulty attending the transmission of intelligence or letters between this and any other point north of Alexandria. You have no doubt been informed by Mattingly of the seizure on Friday last by the Federal Government at Washington of all the Potomac Steamboat Company's boats. Apprehending this I had sent Mr. Ruth up Thursday morning to advise with Mattingly and suggested the removal of at least two of the four boats Aquia Creek where they could be moored or stranded high up the creek, out of reach of seizure. Having my apprehensions confirmed during Thursday I wrote to Mattingly by trusted messenger the written letter on order, which he communicated to you by telegraph. The telegraph office being under the control of the Washington Government of course his telegram them full warning he and your telegrams to be confirmed and led to the immediate seizure of the boats.