Letter from Oliver Ames to Thomas C. Durant, May 18, 1868

In this letter from May 18, 1868, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant chastising him for superseding General Grenville Dodge by granting Col. Silas Seymour the full power of Chief Engineer. Ames states that Durant was not given the power to "direct the Chief Engineer where he should locate the Road," that the Chief Engineer is responsible to the Board of Directors, and that it is ultimately up to the Board of Directors to decide "whether the Location is properly made or not."

N. Easton

May 18^th/68

Oliver Ames Esq^r. Pr UP.RR

Dr. T. C. Durant VP Dear Sir,

I am quite surprised at the circular, issued by you, superseeding [sic] Gen^l Dodge by investing Seymour, the Consulting Engr, with full Power of Chief Engr and recinding [sic] all orders heretofore given by Chief Engr conflicting with those given by Consulting Engr. The understanding of the Resolution authorizing you to change grades and Location in constructing the Road under the contract did not intend to confer on you the power to direct the Chief Engr where he should locate the Road, and it was expressly stated that the changes to be made were only such as might expidite [sic] the construction by such slight modifications as might be made on the ground to avoid hard points. The responsibility of the Chief Engr is to the Board of Directors, and they must say whether the Location is properly made or not.

Yours Truly,
Oliver Ames Prest