From the Richmond Whig, 7/2/1861
RICHMOND DEFENSES - WANT OF LABORERS. - Are the defences
necessary? If so, the sooner they are completed the better. But laborers are
needed to do this. Some liberal and patriotic gentlemen of Richmond have freely
supplied labor. All who have not done so who have surplus and idle
labor. The Mayor of Danville has sent down twenty-four able-bodied free
negroes. Not one free negro from the city of Richmond or county of
Henrico has been on the works. Why is this? Two gentlemen, eminent physicians
from the county of Lunenburg, have brought, the one fifteen, and the other six
men, (the best we have,) and have given their own services to attend to such as
needed medical aid on the works. May I not, from these facts, appeal to
those men immediately interested in the speedy completion of these defences, to
render us all the aid in their power, and that speedily? I would also appeal to
the patriotic Irish and German laborers who are out of work, to give a few days
of their idle time. Many laborers, directed by their owners to come to the works
have failed to do so; or if they came, worked but a short time and quit while
their owners thought them at work. For the future, I would suggest to those
sending us laborers, with them to send a list of their names, and the time they
design them to work. I can then, if they absent themselves, know why they do so.
R. REINS
Supt City Defenses
July 1st, 1861
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