Yr favor was recd on yesterday, I will be very glad to see you as soon as possible after the holidays, and wish you would bring Hicks with you. I again write you that too many are gathering wood and at other duties and not at work on the road. What I wish with Hicks is to condemn a large lot and take them to Raleigh, pregnant women, decrepid old men, consumption, afflicted with secondary syphilis & are no manner of use to us. I did get some wood for them and have to Round Knob stockade but their other quarters are too far off. By the 1st of Fby I can begin to lay track to the top and hope to move them by April 1st. The star drill is at work and is doing admirably, wish you to see it. And glad to hear of your arrangement with Spartanburg Company, I am satisfied that it is for the best. We have had favorable weather and have done a great deal of work in the last 30 days.
Our reports were regularly made, but a committee of state Directors was appointed to audit the Treas act before sending, this they failed to do which was the cause of the delay, at last mention they appointed someone to audit for them and in future there will be be no delay.