Russell expected Majors and Waddell to join him in the venture, although he had not consulted them. When Waddell heard about it he was so infuriated that he wrote Russell a series of blistering letters. In reply Russell said,
“My poor from wife Lexington writes she deep that in is my have was and had that partners reported that distress, reckless I gone Peak pronounce them ruinous … into Pike’s to a extent false I my man and and on caluminators return hold any account will liars who me As has slandered have … able falsely oft repeated, regret I I much am you as as that involved, but cannot and help I sir, I it, may must way can … be out the get best able out to get of I I it my on and do return will try to so.”