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Centre Ala
June 20th 1866

General
I am truly glad to inform you and Govenor Patton that when I returned from Montgomery that the Commissioner & Myself had no difficulty in having the rations for this County Shiped from Rome at half the usual freights and on the credit of the County. Which Settled all the difficulties with which we had heretofore to contend. And saves the County of that exorbitant usury which we were forced to pay in order to get the rations to the people in their distressed and starving Condition. This we had to give, because we were threatened by D.C. Turrentine the agent, that if we did not raise it that he would return the Rations to the authorities at Huntsville. I think it Justice to the Offices of the Steam Boats to State that they did not hesitate a moment, and W.H. Russell Capt of the Steamer Clara Belle said that he would have made that arrangement at any time. Some that Stand in high places have been much exorcised because you changed the distribution and they as well as Genl Turrentine say in round terms that there has been false representations made as to him, or it would not have been changed. On the Second day he came to see me he made the same Statements and demanded of me my written authority to control them, and said he intended to write to you and know what was said. And I do hope you will give him the benefit of all that was said. You and the Govenor no doubt