A. Birdsall, Esq
Binghamton N.Y.
Dr Sir
I intended to have spent a night in your place last week & to have called on you. We are anxious to have some excavation and docking done at the schutes for the more convenient transshipment of coal at B. Knowing that you have always manifested a friendly feeling & disposition toward our enterprises & learning recently that you are in a position where you can have an influence with the proper parties to whom such matters are entrusted [unclear] I take the liberty to ask if you will have the goodness to speak a favourable word for us in this matter. We shall expect to ship a large amt of coal from B. this year & it will continue to increase from year to year & cannot fail to be of importance to local interests & the State as well as to your place.
Anything you may deem proper to say in aid of this proposed improvement will be thoughtfully regarded &c.
Very resp and hastily your obt svt
Geo W. Scranton
Mr. Kovel [unclear] our agent at B., knows what we would like to have done & also Mr. McKinney & Mr. Doubleday who will most likely have charge of our business there this year. I [unclear] happy to have you confer with them.
