I take occasion also to comprehend in this answer, (and to invite the particular attention of the committee, and of the Legislature thereto,) the report of a select committee, and of the executive officers of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company on the subject of retrenchment in May last. (A printed pamphlet.) These reports fully, and in minuter detail than can be presented otherwise, exhibit the order and economy which since 1837, have been gradually introduced into every branch of the company's service. Without a careful examination of the facts contained in these reports, it will be impossible for the Legislature entirely to comprehend the subject, or justly appreciate the labors and management of such a company. Leaving these reports to the attention which the committee and Legislature will doubtless bestow upon them, it may be sufficient in this place to state, that the result shews, by undeniable facts and analogies, as the committee state, "that at this time the operations of the company are conducted on so low a scale af expenditure, that it may be advantageously compared with that of any work of a similar character in the world." I have no knowledge of any other "extra pay or additional compensation, which has at any time been given to any officer or agent of this company," than that to Caspar W. Wever, in the year 1836, as contained in the secretary's statement, unless the order may be supposed to relate to the commission agreed to be allowed to the president of the company for his agency abroad in 1839, for disposing of the sterling bonds of the State, delivered to the board in payment of the State's subscription to the capital stock of the company. In case this should be the design of the inquiry, I have caused extracts to be made from the report of the committee of finance, proposing the allowance, and from the minutes of the board, by which it was confirmed, and hereto annexed marked F; and in regard to this matter, I deem it proper to state, that the same facts have heretofore been officially communicated in a letter to the chairman of the committee of internal improvements of the House of Delegates, on the 31st of January 1840, in answer to an order of the House of Delegates of the 20th of the same month. In this letter, and the papers accompanying it, it has been my aim fully to reply to the entire scope of the inquiries comprehended in the order, and I believe it will be found that I have done so; if, however, the committee should be of a different opinion, it will afford me pleasure to give them access to the whole archives of the company in such form as they may prefer. I have the honor to be, sir, your ob't. serv't., LOUIS MCLANE, President. I APPENDIX. (Copy of Mr. McLane's letter, accepting the office of President.) NEW YORK, January 28th, 1837. GENTLEMEN: I have already had the pleasure, in our interviews in this city, to express my acknowledgments of the kind and handsome manner, in which the directors of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company have elected me to the office of President; and I beg leave, on this occasion, to convey them to your colleagues in the board. Regarding the enterprise, with which the directors have been pleased to connect me, as one of the most important of our national works, deeply interesting to the States with which it is immediately connected, and, especially, essential to the prosperity of Maryland and the city of Baltimore, I should feel a pride in being associated with its future progress and completion. Any steps for this purpose, however, would have to be reconciled, in point of time, to the interests which might be affected by separating from my present connexions; and it was, moreover, necessary, that I should be made acquainted with the grounds justifying a reasonable prospect of my being able to realise the expectations of the directors, and of the practicability of completing, by our joint exertions, the great work they have in hand. The explanation of the committee upon the first point being satisfactory, the last, and to the board and myself the most important, remained for consideration. In my reflections upon this subject, it was impossible I should be unmindful of the over-estimate which the board have been pleased to make of my ability to serve them; and, if I supposed that more could be expected of me than diligently and faithfully to second the efforts of the directors and others, to make available and apply the various resources upon which the success of the work must ultimately depend, that, of itself, would have deterred me from the task. I am led to consider, however, that the expectations of the board will be satisfied by a faithful employment of my best faculties in the service of the company; and though our mutual labors may be arduous, the enterprise, itself, is so full of benefit to the country at large, and presses such cogent appeals to the vital interests of the enlightened communities with which it is more immediately connected, as to warrant even greater hazard than, I hope, can attend its completion. Confiding, therefore, in the various resources, as explained by the committee, and in the hope that they may reasonably be made available; in the peculiar importance of the work to the State of Maryland and the city of Baltimore, and in the wise liberality of those authorities; and relying upon the known ability of those with whom I am to be associated in our various duties; and upon the generous support which we have a right to expect from the stockholders and others not less interested, I have the pleasure to inform you that, I accept the office to which the board have been pleased to elect me. At present, it is impossible for me to say at what precise time it will be in my power finally to quit my post here; but, as soon as the necessary arrangements for that purpose can be made, I will repair to Baltimore, and enter upon my duties there-in the mean time, I will take an early opportunity of meeting the board for the purpose of consultation upon some points, which appear to me to require prompt attention. (signed,) I remain, gentlemen, Your obedient serv't, To Messrs. Patterson, Swan and Latrobe, Committee, &c. 2 (A.) Statement of the names of all such individuals as have been employed, or authorised to be employed by the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company, the amount of compensation paid to, allowed, or claimed by such persons for services rendered during the past sessions of the General Assembly of the State, &c. &c. 1833. April 8, Paid J. I. Merrick, E. L. Finley and J. W. McCulloh, for profession- 1839. June 8, Claimed by J. I. Merrick as having Office of the Baltimore and Ohio R. R. Co. 8,930 10 J. I. ATKINSON, Secretary. No. 1. (Copy of Mr. Merrick's Account.) The Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company, 1836. Sept. 23rd, To amount stipulated to be paid to me By cash paid by you on account to James Dr. $10,000 00 1,069 90 Balance due, $8,930 10 Interest from Sept. 23rd, 1836, until paid. JOSEPH I. MERRICK. Baltimore, January 21st, 1840. To the President and Directors of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company: I do hereby certify the above account to be correctly stated, and that the balance of eight thousand, nine hundred and thirty dollars and ten cents, is owing by the said Company to Joseph I. Merrick, Esq., with interest from September 23rd, 1836. JAMES WM. McCULLOH. No. 2. (Copy of Letter of James W. McCulloh.) BALTIMORE, 6th January, 1836. Dear Sir,—For a retaining fee of five hundred dollars to be paid me, I will take charge of the affairs of your company touching the procurement of a subscription to its capital stock by the State to the amount of three millions of dollars; the further sum of nine thousand, five hundred dollars to be paid to me, in the event of a subscription being obtained to the amount of three millions of dollars, or in proportion for any less sum the State may agree to subscribe, and which the company may accept, with the understanding also, that said compensation shall be in full satisfaction of the services of such persons as I may call to my assistance in the aforesaid business. Very truly yours, TO PHILIP E. THOMAS, ESQ., JAS. WM. McCULLOH. President of the Ball. & Ohio Rail Road Co. |