[excerpt] … I have long seen the vast superiority of the route through Georgia to the Tennessee, over the one through [illegible] to the Ohio; and at an early period, I pressed, with all my might, the very one, that you so strongly recommended, and for similar reasons, but in vain. I, however, did not dispair [sic]; and by con[2]tinually urging the [struck: the] Georgia route, have so far succeeded, that the Charleston and Cincinnati rail road company have purchased out the Charleston & Hamburgh rail road, with the view of uniting with the Augusta & Athens, and finally of uniting with the Tennessee River [strikeout] [inserted: through] that line. But I apprehend, that it will take a different route from the one you indicate, and I am inclined to think a preferable one. I suppose you know, that Georgia has undertaken to make a railroad from the Chattahootchie to the Tennessee River at or near to Rosses landing [struck: at] [inserted: above] the [illegible], and that 50 miles are already under contract, and the [3] whole surveyed, giving a most favorable result. Through the whole route, there is no rise exceeding 30 feet to the mile & no canal [struck: angle exceeding] under a radius of 1000 feet. This, I think [illegible] the route, and when [struck: the] a coal road the [illegible] is coupled, with other improvements made in the navigation of the Tennessee river [struck: will] and a union affected with the Decatur & Memphis railroad, will combine extraordinary advantages; perhaps greater, than any other route. A resolution has already passed for a careful survey of the Tennessee river, with the view to its improvement. I take the deepest interest in the work, not only in a commercial [4] but a political point of view. It will do more to unite and conciliate the slaveholding states, than can be effected by anything else; and will change not only the commerce but the politicks of the Union.