Your favor of the 16th, Inst. to hand. Our board met on the 12th, Inst. and after discussing Gov. Craig's suggestion decided that the price asked by Mrs. Conley is so grossly exorbitant that they will not pay the $1 000. They say that they do not believe the Governor really desires us to pay this much. I went far enough to tell them exactly what the Governor says about the matter. We hope you will be ready to try this out at this term of court as the case is set first thing on the Civil docket and we shall do our very best to get it heard and finally determined. Gov. Craig will be here the second day of court and it may be that the Commissioners will yield to his suggestion. I advise that you do not depend upon that however but get ready to try before a jury.

With kindest regards I am,