Benjamin Helm Bristow to William W. Belknap, 20 September 1871

Sept. 20, 1871. Hon. W. W. Belknap, Secretary of War. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th inst., enclosing the communications addressed to your Department by J. N. Beach, Esq., Special Agent, and Mahlon Kinney, Esq. Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue, relative to the purchase and shipment to the south of large quantities of arms by an ex-Colonel of the Confederate service. The attention of the Marshal of the United States for the Eastern District of Virginia has been called to this subject, and he has been directed to investigate the matter, and report thereon to this Department. Very respectfully, &c. B. H. Bristow, Solicitor Gen'l, & Acting Attorney Gen'l.