Today in History:

358 Series I Volume LIII- Serial 111 - Supplements

Page 358 Chapter LXV. S. C., S. GA., MID. & E. FLA., & WEST. N. C.

the Confederate Government and the Florida Railroad, and that the interests of the Government cannot suffer by a proper respect to the laws of the land. You are aware that it is my duty to see that the laws of the State are executed. I greatly desire, under the peculiar circumstances, that this may be done quietly and efficiently, and I apply to you, as the highest Confederate military authority in the State, to render such assistance as you can in maintaining the law. Mr. Galbraith, the attorney-general of the State, is fully possessed of my views in regard to tis controversy, and will communicate with you frankly upon the subject.

Very respectfully,

JOHN MILTON,

Governor of Florida.

[Inclosure Numbers 8.]

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Tallahassee, June 14, 1864.

Major-General ANDERSON,

Lake City:

GENERAL: I have officially invited your attention to a correspondence between Judge Dawkins and myself, relative to the proceedings in chancery upon the application of the Florida Railroad Company to enjoin the removal of the track of parts of the road. I have much reason for entertaining the opinion that if a motion shall be submitted to dissolve the injunction, if properly maintained in argiment, that the injunction will be dissolved. In fact, I have no doubt of the success of such a motion, and when informed by Lieutenant J. Fairbanks that a writ of injunction had been granted, advised him to emply counsel and have an effort made to dissolve the injunction. I presume that he found it troublesome to procure an attorney or solicitor in East Florida. You were mistaken in supposing Mr. Fleming the C. S. solicitor; Colonel C. C. Yonge of this place is. I have to-day had a conversation with him and D. P. Hougue, esq., who was consuleted by Major Meriwether while here upon the subject, and these gentlemen will, upon your application, proceed immediately to see and submit to Judge Dawkins a motion to dissolve the injunction, and will sustain it, and I would respectfully advise this course to prevent, or rather remedy, the conflict of authority between the civil and military authorities of the State and Confederate Government, which at this particular crisis in the history of the Confederate States might prove very detrimental to their general welfare. The occasion would be certainly seized upon with avidity by the opponents of President Davis' administration, and handled to increase the excitement and opposition already existing in Georgia and North Carolina, with which I presume you are familiar, and to encourage and sustain which Mr. Toombs has recently published a letter to Governor Brown calculated to do mischief, provided he has not forteited the public confidence, which I think is probable. In the progress of this revolution Florida has acted well her part, and it would be extremely unfortunate at this particular juncture of affairs if a controversy should occur within her borders between the civil and military authorities in despite of the constitution of the State and of the Confederate States, and the anxiety and purpose of her loyal and gallant people to sustain the President in his patriotic and able administration of the Government of the Confederate States.

I am, respectfully, yours, &c.,

JOHN MILTON.


Page 358 Chapter LXV. S. C., S. GA., MID. & E. FLA., & WEST. N. C.