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C-1-7 Lagrange, 5th March 1838 Dear Sir, Solicitude in reference to our Enterprise will be our apology for troubling you at this time. We desire by a free conference with your Excellency to learn fully your views in relative to the late act, on Internal Improvements so far as it has a bearing on the Lagrange and Mercy RailRoad. We trust that by reference to Documents filed with the proper Office at Nashville, it will be found which we have already complied the part at least, with the requisions of the late act - please examine those papers and transcribe to us the necessary information as soon as convenient and say if in any in what respect these are deficient, and whether it will not be necessary on the part of your Excellency to proceed to appoint State Directors soon, and what number of Directors, under the provisions of the late act, and our Charter of incorporation you will appoint? And whether under the late act and the supplement thereto, other and farther and what procedures must be had, before you are authorised to subscribe for additional Stock on the part of the State? And as an amount more than equal to fifteen per cent has already been paid in , on the part of the Individual Stockholders whether that fact can be certified to you by the present Directory or whether this more properly devolves upon the new Board, and whether upon a proper authentication of that fact
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you will proceed to issue state Bonds for 15 per each on the whole am't of stock ($250,000) taken by the state or for so much only as will make up 15 per each added to the am't, already advanced by the state, under the provisions of a former am't ? We desire your special attention to these matters, and that your solution of these difficulties should be forwarded us as soon as convenient particularly in reference to the last query, as it is important that we make some positive arrangements immediately in relation to the purchase of Iron for one third of our Road, and as State Bonds, are prpbably the most convenient form of {illegible} which we could, at this time, make, to the East. In addition to the above we would be under obligatious to your Excellency to file any omissions of ours, and make any suggestions which you might deem usefull in the prosecution of our important Enterprise. The pecuniary pressure of the day, forbids speedy collections on our calls, and embarasses us, somewhat, in our proceedings, but our work progresses steadily and more rapidly than the state of our finances would seem to justify - We have at this time engaged many zealous and efficient Contractors, who, feeling a deep interest in our undertakings are able and determined to prosecute the work at any necessary sacrifice. Accept assurances of my respect - C Michie