.MjAy.NDM1

Richmond, Novr 30th 1878

My dear John

    I was greatly disappointed last night on
getting home, not to find you here. In fact considered
myself ill-used.

    My old friend Robert Gourdin asks me
for information in regard to the Texas and Pacific R.R.
scheme. So I beg you to send me a copy of the bill be-
fore congress - supposing that it is to be had. I would
give our friend Bev: Tucker- Col[underscored]: Bev. as he loves
to be called- the pleasure of rendering this service-
but he is in New Orleans, instructing and directing some
convention or other.

    I have just been invited by a gentleman
of the Tobacco Exchange. Whose object was to urge upon
the Va representatives in congress, the importance of settling
as soon as possible, the question of reduction of the tobacco tax.
He says, what I have observed, that the farmers are Suffer-
ing greatly now, because buyers won't buy at present, except
at prices [vicious?] to farmers. And it is certain that any [underscored] set-
ttlement of the tax question would improve farmers sales. Espe-
cially the passage of the bill before the Senate.
            affectionately yours
                    J.E. Johnston