St Louis 2 July 1846
Honl Sir:
we have between 3 & 4 thousand troops now encamped at alton, the compliment is complete with the exception of our county has made a very great difference among the petty merchants in alton [Yours?], [?] Lamothe
JUL
2
At your request I forwarded [?] Col J Consol a memorandum of transportation of the mail from St Louis to alton, after the discontinuation of contact.
The number of trips performed to st Louis was 159. and same number to alton. I was advised by col consol to make a charge for the service which was $1.00
[?] trip making a demand on the department of $318.00 for a daily mail between alton—& St Louis. Col C. requested me to leave the matter [...?]
entirely to your consideration and have allowed what you might see fit for the service
rendered I may be in error in charging one way or the other therefor any propositons that may be accepted by you; will be duly acknowledge by your very obt[obedient] and very Respectful servt[servant]
Wm LamotheP. S.we have between 3 & 4 thousand troops now encamped at alton, the compliment is complete with the exception of our county has made a very great difference among the petty merchants in alton [Yours?], [?] Lamothe
<Page 2>
St LOUIS [MO?]
JUL
2
[?]
Honble R. Smith
us senate
Washington
D.C.
Autograph Letter Signed, 2 page(s), RG 233, Entry 367: Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Thirtieth Congress, 1847-1849, Records of Legislative Proceedings, Petitions and Memorials, Resolutions of State Legislatures, and Related Documents Which Were Referred to Committees, 1847-1849, NAB,