Cabell wanted $50,000 for a term of nine months, at eight percent interest, secured by bonds issued by the Florida counties of Leon, Jefferson, and Marion to buy capital stock in the railroad venture. Cabell also proposed that he would sign a note, on the same terms as the new loan, payable on 1 January 1858, for the $24,500 already loaned to his company. The loan, Cabell wrote, "will relieve me from anxiety about comparatively small matters, & give me more time to devote to the more important business of our road, which is now progressing in a very satisfactory manner, and which, when completed must result greatly to the advantage of Charles-ton." The loan application was granted by the bank’s board of directors, apparently on 6 April 1857, the day before the written request was made.