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HdQrs B.R.F. & A.L.
Galveston Texas July 21 66
Respectfully referred to Capt Porter S.A. Comr for remarks
This to be returned
By order of
Bvt Maj. Genl Kiddoo
Wm. H. Sinclair
A.A. Genl
E.B. 101
Hd Qrs  B. of R.F. and A.L.
Houston, Texas, July 25th 1866
Respectfully returned. I suppose the person who signs himself "Justice" is a Mr. Wilson, a merchant in this place who was complained of by a Freedman named James Ballinger. The facts briefly are as follows:
James Ballinger agreed with Wilson last  September to furnish him three (3) tons of hay for which he was to be allowed to select two (2) cows and calves from the stock of Mr. Wilson.
He delivered the hay but did not come to select out the cows and calves on the day appointed. When he did go Mr. Wilson had gone North, where he remained several months. After Wilson's return Ballinger went to see him but Wilson refused to give him anything. After trying in vain to get something back from Wilson, Ballinger entered his complaint. After hearing the parties I decided that Wilson should give two (2) cows or pay the price of them. When I returned from a trip into the country Ballinger informed me that Wilson still refused to do anything. I sent for Wilson and ordered him to make a settlement at once. He then sent for a witness to prove the quality of the hay delivered. the witness said that the kind of hay that Ballinger delivered to Wilson was worth at the time nine (9) dollars specie per ton. I then ordered Wilson to pay Ballinger twenty (20) dollars specie which he did. Specie is the only money used here in mercantile transaction. Wages are paid in specie, Goods sold for specie contracts all made for specie and as it is the common and almost the only kind of money used here, I order payments made by one party to another to be made in specie for the accommodation and convenience of the parties concerned. All fines are paid in currency.
Byron Porter
Capt A.A. Ge. of Vols
Sub-asst Comr.