DIY History | Transcribe | Building the Transcontinental Railroad | Grenville M. Dodge correspondence with Thomas C. Durant, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 1858

Transcribe
Translate

Grenville M. Dodge correspondence with Thomas C. Durant, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 1858

Page 01

Council Bluffs. Sep 6th 1858
Thos. C Durant Esq.
Dear Sir, Yours of Aug 26th arrived today and as it is some what different from my under standing of the matter when I left Chicago and as I perceive you are not fully acquainted with the state of our Bonds in this and Douglass Counties (the latter one to be Legalized by the Legislature next month being in a Territory) I will state that I have promised this and Douglass counties provided they will issue $100000 of Bonds each, and place the ballance $300,000 in trust for the Company. That we would let the work through this County (20 to 25 miles) and commence work on the issue of Bonds, which both Counties have gladly acceeded to I have also in accordance with instructions placed a party in the field to prepare that ammount for letting Unless that is done the Company will not only lose the $500000 of Bonds already voted but also all future aid from this Shelby or Audubon Counties.  By expending $100000 of Each of those County Bonds, which they are amply able to stand the interest on. (Pottawattamie having at least 12000 and Douglass 6000 inhabitants) you can grade to center of Shelby County and in addition get the Swamp Lands of Shelby County say 17000 acres, of as valuable land as lays in Western Iowa and this winter or next spring can get Bonds to an ammount equal to their Constitutional Limit Audubon County also stands ready to donate her Swamp

Saving...

Council Bluffs. Sep 6th 1858 Thos. C Durant Esq. Dear Sir, Yours of Aug 26th arrived today and as it is some what different from my under standing of the matter when I left Chicago and as I perceive you are not fully acquainted with the state of our Bonds in this and Douglass Counties (the latter one to be Legalized by the Legislature next month being in a Territory) I will state that I have promised this and Douglass counties provided they will issue $100000 of Bonds each, and place the ballance $300,000 in trust for the Company. That we would let the work through this County (20 to 25 miles) and commence work on the issue of Bonds, which both Counties have gladly acceeded to I have also in accordance with instructions placed a party in the field to prepare that ammount for letting Unless that is done the Company will not only lose the $500000 of Bonds already voted but also all future aid from this Shelby or Audubon Counties. By expending $100000 of Each of those County Bonds, which they are amply able to stand the interest on. (Pottawattamie having at least 12000 and Douglass 6000 inhabitants) you can grade to center of Shelby County and in addition get the Swamp Lands of Shelby County say 17000 acres, of as valuable land as lays in Western Iowa and this winter or next spring can get Bonds to an ammount equal to their Constitutional Limit Audubon County also stands ready to donate her Swamp