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Nov 17. 1863.
My Dear Sir;
Today you were kind enough to give me an elastic pen-holder, which
pleased me well, as fitting my rough hand, exactly. And now Sir,
allow me to present to you in return, a quil of the great Bald Eagle,
of the Rockey Mountains. I hope you may find occasion to use it,
during your present term, in signing your name to some great historic
document -- such, for instance, as a proclamation that the Union
is restored and the law reigns -- which may go down to posterity,
for your own honor and your Country's good.
This quil has a history. It was obtained in the Rockey Mountains,
and, in the fall of 1860, sent to me, some two thousand miles, by
my then young friend, Lieutenant Stuart, of Sumner's regiment of
U. S. Dragoons
I will not undertake to interpret the sign, nor to draw prophetic
conclusions from the fact, that the brave young soldier, before
deserting the flag under which he was reared, and joining hands
with the enemies of his Country, first stripped himself of his Eagle's
plumage.
Let those who will, write out the melancholy moral.
I have the honor to be
Most respectfully
Your friend & obt servt
Edwd. Bates
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