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Galveston Texas March 2, 1868

Genl. O.O. Howard}
Washington City  }

Dr Sir

Permit me to acquaint you of a few facts respecting the Government Claim against the Waco Manufacturing Company of Waco, Texas. From what I can learn about said claim the U.S. claim is not a valid one. That only a very small part of anything appertaining to the cotton factory was ever paid for in Confederate money by those owning them during the War, that the present owners of the manufacturing Establishment paid for all in Specie of their own money. Consequently the Government can not have a valid claim and should you persist in having the property sold the Government must eventually pay the damages.

John B. Earl the President nor any other owner of said factory can raise the $3,000 demanded by you last December.  That if sold you make beggars of said owners & the Government only receiving a very Small amount, unless they establish the manufacturing