Morganton May 10 [1863]
Gov Vance
Dear Sir
In January last Mr
Thomas Brainch of Peters
Burg Va asked me to
by him some Bacon
Which I did
this was bowght for
his one Family a Bowt
1400lb of hams and 4300
lbs of Lard I did not
know any thing of you
r proclimation at the
time the Bacon is at
Salisbury and
[page 2]
the Express Agent
refuses to send the
articles Mr Branch
Say he wrote yow
on the subject also
aske me to write yow
I bought the Bacon
from A H Ervin and
D J Forney had I not
had bowght the Bacon
and paid forit
be fore I Saw your
proclimation I would
hav nothing to do with
it yow will confer
a favor on me if
[page 3]
yow will direct
the Agent at Sailsb
ury to Send it to
Thomas Branch Peters
Burg VA
yourss
respectfuly
John C McDowe

all well how is
Hatttie an the Boys

John C McDowell