Mark Hopkins

From Leland Stanford Dec 10 1868

Deliver Supplies to Contractors at Humboldt Wells and [Erpertls?] [Eyenun?]

#9

Rec Dec 1868

Salt Lake Dec 10th 1868

Friend Mark

I arrived here last evening I did not go out to the Promontory as I expected when I [pactued?] Ogden I concluded I had better stay there and see to pushing men out to the Promintory. Also I attended to the matter of the right of way. I went out with Bishop West and looked at the farms and lots we crop and gave him my idea and the concluded it would probably be better for him to go alone. He started yesterday evening and will not stop until he has secured the right of way 200 feet wich through each in closure. If we have to make up a fight with the U P this may be very important. The U.P. are working 8 leave shifts we cuts and fills eight work each echo summit that was

left because it was eight now the frost is troubling them very much over good Storm would settle the question of them coming through the water [caimon?] this winter But at the rate our track is coming even that would not help us out From the 30th is 9th Dec 10 units. On the 22 Oct I think I left Russ river track 380 units on the 9th Dec 449 units.

I telegraphed you last night also Huntington that the UP ways reported blocked by Snow since Friday Dec 4th no trains arriving Qulter at [Cheynee?] ground then west or at Bryan from the east. Also mentioned that I thought we would have to strike a route through this Valley and a [suesepek?] of [free?] Valleys to cormmest with the Smokey Hill route. I reckoned you would use your destruction in

publishing it at the substance

The frost is entering the ground in this Valley and making grading somewhat difficult but I think we we can work as long as the U.P.

Your letter No 13 late Dec 1st each first coming If supplies are at Humboldt wells I presume there is some man there with discretionary power and fit to express his discretion about deposing of them. That work is easily reactional from your end and not from this.

I do not expect it contractors will have money to buy for very thing and perhaps for wothery

Let the engineers be advisted of the amount each has and return the amount with estimate so that to can be deducted

It is a loving distance from here to what work west of the Mormon contrast and no better communicate than chance affords

You must keep posted as to its condition from your end. How much work will be done of by this first from this way. I cannot estimate. As you I have no export that more than fifty teams here actually reached the work I have headed of more than twice that members that have turned back.

Yours truly

Leland Stanford