Letters: 1 Oct 1848
The Honorable
Mr. Crawford,
Secretary of War.
Sir:
In a conversation with the late President of the United States, Mr. Polk,
he informed that Co. Magoffin was introduced to him by my colleague Col.
Thomas H. Benton, and from Col. Magoffins intimate knowledge of the
Mexican affairs and his intimate acquaintance with the leading men in New
Mexico and Chihuahua, he deemed it important to secure his services for
the government of the United States in that quarters during the war and
engaged his services accordingly.
He further said that he was reddy and willing to make a just allowances
for such services, but that there was no appropriation of money for that
purpose.
An appropriation was made at the last session for such services growing
out of this claim.
Your obt. Servt.,
David R. Atchison.
I hereby certify that in the month of April, in the year 1847, Mr. Samuel
Magoffin sold some three hundred and eleven bales of merchandise which he
stated to be the property of his brother, Mr. James Magoffin, then a
prisoner of war in the state of Durango, said three hundred and eleven
bales I purchased on time at a cost of an amount equal to their original
cost and an augmentation of 50 per cent of the expenses thereon to this
city, with a guarantee that I should not be responsible for duties of any
kind whatsoever.
I further certify that Mr. Samuel Magoffin would not have disposed of this
property at a rate so ruinous to his brother's interest, but for the utter
impossibility of removing it from Chihuahua and the fear of its being
seized by the authorities of Mexico, to which danger he was much exposed
from the precipitate retirement of Col. Donaphan from this city, who had
no sooner withdrawn his forces than the Mexican government called on me to
pay duties on the same which amounted to fifteen thousand nine hundred and
sixty-eight dollars 96c, $15,968.96, which I was compelled to satisfy and
which sum had been refunded to me lately by Mr. James Magoffin.
Chihuahua, Mint.
Mexico, 1st Oct. 1848.
John Potts.
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Commercial Agency of the United States,
Chihuahua, October 1st, 1848.
I, Alfonso C. Anderson, Vice-Commercial Agent of the United States, for
the city of Chihuahua certify that this day personally appeared before me
John Potts, a subject of Great Britain, who is personally known to me and
is a gentleman of high standing and character in this city, who being duly
sworn, made oath and declared that the foregoing document to which this is
connected and to which he had signed his name is true in every respect.
Further that his signature thereto is genuine and deserving full faith and
credit.
(Seal) In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my
official seal the day and date above written.
Alfonso C. Anderson,
Vice. Comml. Agt.
