Having travelled through Watauga County, knowing the wonderful possibilities of the county and the dire need of railroad transportation for the development of these possibilities, and believing, after careful investigation that the Watauga and Yadkin River Railway Company will complete its railroad now under consideration to Boone if the State will furnish, in accordance with the act of the General Assembly, a reasonable addition to the number of convicts heretofore furnished, I heartily favor granting the urgent request of the people of Watauga County for as many additional convicts for this road as the State can spare at this time. I believe this to be one of the most meritorious railroad propositions ever made to the Council of State.

I regret that I cannot be present at the meeting of the Council of State for the consideration of this request on account of previous engagements, and I hereby appoint Hon. T. W. Bickett my proxy to vote for the granting of such an additional number of convicts as he may decide to be reasonable and wise, and to vote as he sees fit in my stead on such other questions as may come before the meeting of the Council of State.