B6, GA 3/27/1863

Saltville, Va., March 27th, 1863
 
Hon. Joseph E. Brown
 
Dear Sir,
   Our friend, Maj. Bigham, will hand you this letter, who can inform you on the subject of our salt operations. We have about 40 carloads of salt sacked, with every prospect of getting all or more than our contract in the future, provided we can procure transportation for it. That is the great object to be consummated now. Maj. Bigham will hand you for perusal and consideration, a communication and proposition from Mr. Dodamead. You will perceive it is in answer to letters from Maj. Bigham, Maj. Temple, and myself, on the subject of transportation. He admits that he has not sufficient rolling stock and motive power to do the work of the road and carry off the salt for us, yet he has determined not to permit foreign trains to run over his road. The acceptance of the proposition which will be submitted you from Mr. Dodamead, is the only means of getting off our salt. I think it a better plan than to send trains here. It will not require as many engines and cars as to send trains through, and it will not be near so expensive to the State. It is true, the compensation proposed is very low, yet it is better than none, and relieves the State of the expense of engines, firemen, oil, tallow, etc.. which would have to be incurred by the State, were trains to run through. I think one engine -- large -- and sixteen cars would carry all our salt to Bristol, if a schedule is made to make a trip daily. If a trip could not be made daily, it would probably require more. An engine will carry eight cars from here to Bristol.
   Maj. Temple will be at Milledgeville, on the subject of an increase of compensation for salt. He is evidently losing money at the present price.
   It will require an engine and about eight open cars to haul wood for the Georgia furnaces. Should you decide to send engines and cars to this road, the sooner the better.
   I get a car load occasionally. If we depend upon this road as at present managed, we will get comparatively little salt shipped here. In the meantime, I shall continue to importune them for cars, and get off as much salt as possible.
   If not too much trouble, will you kindly send to me a certificate of my appointment as salt agent, with the seal of the State attached?
Yours truly,
J. R. Wikle

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