Viewing page 21 of 260

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Norfolk October 23 1866
Capt Wm. P. Austin
A.A.Q.M. Supt 1st Dis Va

Dear Sir
Your letter requesting me to inform you whether the bill for goods attached, said to have been bought of me by George Washington formerly Private in Comp G. U.S.C. Troops was correct, is before me. I was very much surprised when I read your letter and the bill as the latter is entirely false I take the liberty to enclose a true copy of the bill of goods sold to George Washington, to the correctness of which I have sworn before a Notary Public, as also a Statement of George Washington himself, also sworn to before a Notary Public.

My bill is copied exactly as I have it in my book the total amount of which is forty nine 54/00 Dollars, and agreeing exactly with the amount of the order given you by said George Washington and being less than the amount stated in the Copy sent me by you it would hardly be supposed that I would take an order for less than the amount of the bill for the goods sold.

I am sure that this, my stainless reputation here, and the certified Copies of the bill and order enclosed, are sufficient to stamp the statement of George Washington as a fabricated falsehood, yet I feel it but a matter of justice to myself to explain to you how I acted in selling goods to those who have

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-29 11:47:31 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-29 16:25:15