Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-08-30

both in the same inclosure. Gen. Banks
was then about to proceed to Louisiana
as commander of the Federal forces in
the Department of the Gulf, and could
have been of considerable service in this
cotton operation. While was in New
York learned that some change had
been made in the list of articles which
were prohibited from being exchanged
for cotton, and | wrote to Senator Doo-
little to get for me from the War De-
partment a list of the prohibited articles.
In response | received, while still in New
York, letter No. 5. hereto annexed.
Subsequently, in the carrying out OF this
enterprise, l proceeded to New Orleans,
and in the month of May, 1865, present
ed this letter of introduction to Gen.
Banks in New Orleans. Gen Banks re-
ceived me very kindly, and after read.
ing the letter handed it back to me, say
ing " this might be of service to you"
l said it might, and took it.
THOMAS J. CoNATTY.
Sworn to before me this 10th day of
August, 1872 M. M. BUDLoNG.
Notary Public New York City and
County. In presence of Thos. Franklin
Smith.
THE LETTERS.
No. /.
The letter which Doolittle himself
wrote for Conatty to send to him-the
original in Doolittle's own handwriting;
WASHINGTON, Dec. 80, 1864.
Hon. j. R. Doolittle
Dear Sir: / have been engaged for
two years past in the Treasury Depart
ment, where have been assiduously at
work, early and late, until / seriously
feared my health would give way.
In consequence of the confidence
which my fidelity there has inspired in
the head of the Department, have re-
ceived permit to trade and to purchase
cotton to the amount of fifty thousand
bales
This has been freely given me !, and
now, my dear Sir, allow me to say that
during my stay here / have witnessed
on your part in the high position you
occupy the same fidelity, and, | may
add, such position and course of con-
duct, that my heart has been drawn out
to you; and as this permit may enable
me to realize large fortude-too great
to be properly administered or enjoyed
| by any one mani have determined
that, AS A PRESENT ON MY PART, and in
the belief that you could better use a
portion, should be successful, than |
could use all, l WILL RFMIT TO
YOU THE ONE-FOURTH PART
OF ALL THE PROFITS may realize
over and above all my own expenses. 1
do this in the hope that, while | may
become rich in this operation, may Sc
cure to you competency also.
No. 2.
Mr.. DooLITTLEs GRATEFUL ACCEPTANCE
OF PRESENT.
The following letter is the reply to the
above, and was handed to Conatty by
Doolittle at the same time
Private and Confdentiall
/ WASHINGTON, Dec. 80, 1864.
7. G. Conatty, Esq:
Ny Dear Sir: Your magnanimous
proposition, contained in your letter of
Baltimore of yesterday, fills my heart
with feelings which I can not express.
Such instances of disinterested friend.
ship are so rare, so few among the sons
of men are endowed with such high
and noble generosity, that l am without
words to tell you how much it affects
you [me.l
l have no claims upon you except
those of disinterested friendship sin
cerely cherished. As to this permit tc
trade in cotton, you have obtained il
without any word or influence or thought
of mine, even direct or indirect, for until
your communication to me | never had
any knowledge or thought even that
you contemplated such thing.
And yet this fact alone, which gives
me no claim upon you, is the only pos.
sible ground upon which | accept your
generous, will say more, your most
magnanimous offer.
Had aided you in the least, directly
or indirectly, in thought, word, or deed
| could not have accepted it if | would
and would not if | could.
l hope you may realize your sanguine
expectations, and be able to place your
self, without injury to any other human
being, in condition of pecuniary indie
pendence, so that when this fearful wal
is over you may retire to private life
again to cultivate those literary pursuits
you so much love, and which are more
precious after all than gold and silver
And should your success be such that in
, the munificence of your proposition you
can enahle me tn do the same you will