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1114

P55

Bureau R.F. and A.L.,
Office of Special Agent
New Orleans  June 17/67

Brvt. Major General Joseph A Mower, 
Asst Commissioner Bu. R. F. and A.L. La

Sir, 
I have the honor in compliance with instructions dated Head Quarters Bu. R.F. and A.L. La. June 17th 1867, to respectfully state that I am not, nor ever have been, a Claim Agent, nor am I directly or indirectly interested in the claims, or the prosecution of any claims of soldiers, nor have been since the date of my appointment.

On the 24th of January last, after two years service in this Bureau, I recommenced in this City the practice of my profession as an Attorney at Law. Without making the collection of claims a specialty- or in any way soliciting them, I have in a short time and number of them presented to me by my clients for collection.  The odium and general want of character- with too much justice attached to the calling of Claim Agents in this City, - influenced me in declining to present these claims to the proper Department for settlement. In each case I forwarded them to my legal correspondant at Washington, Mr. Julius J. McCarty 293 "F" Street; who was Attorney of Bearer in all such cases.

In April I was prostrated by a hemmorage of the lungs resulting indirectly from a gun shot wound through my left lung received in action during the late war. By the advice of my physician, I was again compelled to abandon the practice of my profession.

On the 14th day of May following, by a Notarial Act executed before F.B. Earhart, a Notary Public in this city, a certified copy of Act appended marked (A) - I sold and conveyed all of my interest in my late practice to William C. Carroll of this city. A certified copy of said Act, setting forth especially the transfer of my interest in all claims, was submitted to your consideration at the time. I made application through you for the appointment as Special Agent of this Bureau.