I enclose you a copy of a letter which I have written Mr. Doughton. It looks to me as if the Governor has no power under the statute to furnish more than a hundred convicts to the Elkin and Alleghany, receiving pay for such convicts the stock of the railroad company. How many convicts has the Elkin and Alleghany? The resolutions passed by your board of directors in regard to the Hiawassee Railroad Company and in regard to the road in Halifax appear to me to be reasonable.

If these convicts should be withdrawn from the Elkin and Alleghany, can you handle them economically and for the good of the Prison?

I returned to Asheville last night. I have not seen Mr. Varner.