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and he gets a colored boy to state a falsehood against me for I do assure you Mahala Duton told him nothing about me. I have never solicited any one to buy goods but Mahala Duton solicited me to help her before her claim was allowed I did help her to $20 and have yet been paid, - and as I regard the payment of claims I aided them to cash their check and count the money for them but never paid them one dime on goods nor have I ever purchases their claims altho often offered to me at a great discount, and when I found them badly in want I have helped them without even a charge of interest. I am out not less than $800 to help the needy.

I had directed the Hon Secretary of War to send me those papers, but appears from your letter of the 2d that you have them and decline forwarding them. They were my papers. You have no business with them, and I now demand that you send them to me without delay. You have retained other papers that would be evidence against you altho often requested to return them  I do hope you will no longer trifle with me - the distress and expence your course has caused the colored soldier and their mothers will use up in judgment against you

with due respect yours
D S Hays