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Feby 1st to May 1st, 1866. 
 
She (Clara Welsey) also claims to have had a written permit from Capt. Stuart Barnes, then Supt. Bureau R.F. & A.L. for the 2d Dist. Va., to keep a hotel & to sell liquor, which was granted to her after the County Court had refused her application for such a license.  This letter, however, she cannot produce, as she says it was taken by the Civil Authorities & carried into court, neither can it be found among the records of this office.  Yet it is acknowledged by some of the Civil Authorities, that they have seen a letter from Capt Barnes to Clara Welsey to that effect.

At all events this summer had a limited states license as a retail liquor dealer, and without doubt, a military permit, under which she acted in good faith, and whether it be sufficient authority or not, I do claim that under the circumstance, the civil authorities had no right whatever to take the action that they have in the matter unless the plea that she had violated the state laws, over when they had refused to grant her a license.  

I have further informed the cavil authorities of said county that I did not consider that they had any right to impose the fine upon this woman as they had done. The prosecution of this case has every appearance of having been prompted by a desire to

Transcription Notes:
Another page was transcribed as CLARA MABRY, but I believe it's actually CLARA WELSEY