| Saltville, Va., March 27th, 1863 |
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| Hon. Joseph E. Brown
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| Dear Sir,
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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?
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| Yours truly,
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| J. R. Wikle
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