MF1323.1197 Reel 39_0738

California Br [29?] Paschal Begnette Visalia, Cal March 17, '64

Reply to office let ter of 12th Feb. last [illegible] to the a/c of E.G. & [illegible] J. Camp bell

[Ans?] May 21, 1864

Visalia, March 17th 1864

Sir

Your favor of the 12th Febuary [February] is received and contents [rested?]. You say, "that in the sentiment of the accounts of the Late agent Mr B. Lewis, he received credit for the amount on account of your receipted vouchers, and therefore the received comptroller of the Treasury continued the credit to him, and disallowed it to you; so that your recourse is upon the agent, and not upon the Government" I beg leave to say that before any settlement of the accts of EG & W.J. Campbell could be allowed and paid, I had to furnish to the Department a statement from Judge Lewis disclaiming having paid the said Campbells any thing whatever, and that the vouchers given by them was done merely to enable Lewis to get the amt paid to him & from him to them before any amount could be paid to them, you will find his (Lewis) (dates July [8?]th 1862) sent 2d quarter Oct 8 1862 letter now on [illegible] on the your office, and on the settlement of W.J. Campbell, the auditor made a mistake of one months salary, and immediately informed my agent Mr Bryant that the warrant was issued before the error was detected, but that a warrant would be issued for the amt of 75$ as above stated, and would be forwarded me, I have no means of getting the amt from Mr B. Lewis, and will expect a warrant for the amount as soon as the explanation reaches you

Mr Bryant has left Washington or else the amt would have been paid me long since, it is a mistake of your clerk and must be rectified. Lewis is insolvent and nothing can be had of him, if I had received the information in time perhaps the amt could have been collected. Your early attention is requested in this matter, which has been standing entirely too long.

Very Respectfully Your Obt Servant Paschal Bequette Attorney for E.W. & W.J. Campbell

Wm P. Dole Esqr Commissioner IA Washington City D.C.