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of war or an open abandonment of the contest will satisfy me - nothing short of this can satisfy the just (unclear - tations) of the Southern people who have been bareing the brunt of this (unclear) system from the beginning

  We have much to hope from the diplomatic shell of (M Barlow?) but should the fail in (releasing?) our cotton from the prohibitory duty there will be little (unclear) among the (Louthern?) men in securing to measure not literally warranted by the bargain 
  The offices of this 25000 have been apportioned among the (unclear) states (&?) to our share has fallen the appointment of 1 (Lieut Cob?) 1 May & of Capts & a proportionate number of subalterns - the first has been given to Gene Jack the 2nd to (unclear) Houston - 
  some doubts are entertained of the practicability of raising men on enlistment for 5 years - this may give use to a Bill for raising a certain number on 
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