December 18, 1849. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell discussing finances, results of his work in Ohio, and future plans for lines to the west. December 22, 1849. Ezra Cornell to Board of Directors of Hudson River Railroad Company proposing a reciprocal arrangement for the right to erect poles along the railroad line from New York to Poughkeepsie and for free passage of his men in return for telegraph services for railroad business. December 25, 1849. Ezra Cornell to Mary Ann and children, from Peekskill: "I wish you all a Merry Christmas, a Merry, Merry Christmas, and I hope old Santa Claus wont be so verry busy as to pass by?without even droping in to catch a glance of those bewitching merry eyes, of my darling Mary or the cherub smiles of my baby Boy?." Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: finances, new lines (Ohio, Wheeling to New Philadelphia), Zanesville line, office operations, materials and supplies. Personal names: Cornell, Alonzo B.; Speed, J.J.; O'Reilly, Henry; Haviland, J.; Dunham, J. Geography: