I have your letter of December 7 about your proposed monument to Professor Mitchell on the mountain which bears his name.

My understanding with Judge Winston was that when the popular subscription list was well under way he would advise me again as to the prospect of success, when we could consider the question of the amount of a subscription by Southern Railway Company.

You will doubtless realize that our losses incident to the floods last summer have somewhat crippled our ability to do all the pleasant things we would like to do this year in Western North Carolina and elsewhere, but, as stated to Judge Winston, we will co-operate in your proposal on what may seem a fair basis. If you have another view I will be glad to have your specific suggestion.

Believe me, with best Christmas wishes,