The management of the E. & A. Railroad is a good deal exercised over possibility of losing fifty convicts just now to the Hiawassee, and they ask me to submit to you their position. They did not ask for the big lot of convicts that was sent them in November, but when they arrived they immediately began the necessary expenditures to take care of them. The company is not strong financially and the people locally are almost wholly financing the work at this time. In order to take care of the additional convicts the local people in Elkin and Alleghany put up ten thousand dollars, which has practically all been expended for camps and machinery of various kinds. You know that from November to March it rained nearly all the time and very little benefit was gotten from these convicts. They are just now straightening out and are doing the finest kind of work. It is a ponderous undertaking to climb that mountain. We very much fear the next legislature, and it is therefore extremely important to all concerned that the top of the mountain be reached before that legislature meets. By unusual exertion I believe the present force will take us there, but it will take all we have to do it. If any of those convicts are needed for the farm or you can hire them out for the money, we have not a word to say, but please, my dear friend, do not take them away to start another enterprise that is not in such hazardous position as we are. If we don't get to the top of the mountain the whole thing is a failure and will be thrown away. If we do get to the top it will pay the State and something will have been accomplished. Let's finish this road at least to the top of the mountain before we begin another, and we will all pull together then to build the Hiawassee. You can see that not only is the State's stock imperiled by weakening this work now, but it is hardly fair to the people who have put up the money to go to the additional expense without benefit. My judgment may not be good very often, but I believe you know that I want to be fair, and I can't think it would be wise or fair under all the circumstances to take any more convicts from the E. & A. just at this time unless needed on the farm or employed for cash. If you would like to discuss this matter I shall be glad to come to Asheville or Raleigh to talk it over, and will assure you that I shall not worry you long. I have reason to believe the Prison Board concurs in my opinion, but both they and I most cordially and respectfully yield to your judgment and wishes. I understand there is to be a meeting of the Board on the 13th, at which the matter will come up again. I wish you would write me that you agree with me.

With cordial regards to Mrs. Craig and yourself, and hoping you are both having a good time, I am,