Knowing the interest you put in the progress of our work, I write often taking the risk of being troublesome. We have had the worst winter for work I have ever known and have consequently not made the progress I should like. By the time our rails get here I will have the track ready to Mud Cut. I find the timber in it would not stand the pressure from below, so I have abandoned it and am now at work turning the creek upon it, will have this done next week, with 80 feet fall of water and I feel confident of being able to wash down the mountain if necessary, at least 5 acres on sliding. You may rest easy I will make it a success and the track laying will continue on to the top. The turn of many hands is expiring and we are now getting very short and the weather good, about 450 on the work, which will make a working force of 375. I can now use 100 more to great advantage and would start a force or two in Buncombe. You will please assist me in getting more. A tressel washed out last week near Old Fort but I had timber ready and was delayed only one day, the many heavy rains have filled up our ditches and made the track rough but we are doing our best to get it again in good condition. No news of any interest. 
Have you any preference as to the place of meeting of Democratic convention?