Goodwin.] OvZ [Dec. IS, 



could retrieve its affairs, and push it on to speedy success. Early in 1865 

 the Presidency of this road was offered him, and urged upon his accept- 

 ance. He was upon the poiut of declining it when the following letter 

 was addressed to him, which, with its signatures, speaks for itself, and for 

 him also. 



" Philadelphia, Feb. 21st, 1866. 

 "To Samuel V. Merrick, Esq.: 



" Dear Sir: We have learned that the Presidency of the Sunbury and 

 Erie Railroad Company has been tendered to you, under such circum- 

 stances as render it reasonably certain that your character and ability 

 may conduct that enterprise to a successful completion. 



"We are sensible that such a position cannot present any peculiar at- 

 tractions, but that any favorable consideration you may give to the 

 apjjlicatiou would have its origin in a high sense of public duty. 



"There are occasions when purely personal motives ought properly to 

 yield to public claims, and in the exigency which calls for an efficient and 

 tried man to administer the affairs of the important work above named, 

 we may well address ourselves to you to assume the Presidency. Your 

 perfect organization and successful administration of the affairs of the 

 Pennsylvania Railroad Company are so well remembered by our fellow 

 citizens, that we are sure the whole community would hail with pleasure 

 your acceptance of the proffered trust. 



" We feel confident that you can organize an administration and adopt 

 financial and other plans, which will at once place the Sunbury and Erie 

 Railroad in its proper attitude before the people, and insure such aid from 

 public and private sources as will realize an early completion of a work 

 that must open for the trade of our city one of the richest agricultural and 

 mineral districts of the State. 



"On behalf of the great interests involved, we call on you to accept 

 the office. 



We are very truly and respectfully yours, 



Thomas Allibone." 



To such an appeal to his sense cf public duty Mr. ]\Ierrick could not 

 turn a deaf ear. 



