Lyne Taliaferro Barret Letter, May 19, 1867

              Sabine Pass May 19th 1867

L T Barret Esq.

Melrose

Dear Sir,

Your favor of April 5th recd this morning, and in answer say, this is the first that I have heard of the note since the war.  I am glad to have it now come up, as I am trying to make a close of old matters.  In the first place, will state my situation - The claims against me at the North amounted to about $10,000. - Which I paid on Judgts. against me in the Confederate Court, in funds that I recd. for my goods when I had to close out to San Aug. and what I collected -

When the war ended, I found myself, with my little property in a dilapidated condition.  My family destitute of Comfortable circumstances and I had $1000.- to start with, besides some amts (sic) due me, Scattered abroad -

After working for about two years and collecting what I could - I proposed to my creditors to give them what I had and could raise in available means by Sacrifice of outside property, etc - it amounted to 50 cts on the face amts of my paper, and securing