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Title: Amos T. Akerman to Archibald Sterling, Jr., 9 November 1871
Date: November 9, 1871
Whitman Archive ID: nar.02138
Source: National Archives and Records Administration. Transcribed from digital images or a microfilm reproduction of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
Contributors to digital file: Elizabeth Lorang, Joshua Ware, Nima Najafi Kianfar, and John Schwaninger
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November 9, 1871.
A. Sterling, Jr. Esq.
U.S. Attorney,
Baltimore, Md.
Sir:
I am informed by the Secretary of the Treasury that a suit is pending in your city, (I believe in the U.S. Circuit Court) in favor of John M. Binckley ag'st E. A. Rollins, late Commissioner of Internal revenue, for alleged libel, based on a letter alleged to have been written to the President by Mr. Rollins, in the course of his official duty.
The Treasury Department regards this as a case in which the Government should make provision for the defence; and therefore I request you to appear in behalf of the defendant, and to communicate immediately on the subject with Mr. Rollins, whose address I believe is Philadelphia, Penn. For this service a reasonable compensation will be allowed you, to be determined by this Department.
Very respectfully,
A. T. Akerman, Attorney General.
defend E. A. Rollins