 The Richmond and Petersburg Railroad Company (R&P) was chartered on March 14, 1836, with available capital of $800,000.The company was unique in that its bridges could also be used for "travel by horseback, carriage, sheep, cattle, and hogs" in addition to the regular use by the train.This condition was not allowed at the James River unless the consent of the owners of Mayo's bridge (the first bridge of the James at Richmond and in 1836 the only) was secured.