Washington City Oct. 24 1861
To whom this may concern
The Bearer, Mr. Samuel Hines, has
long been known to me, having been a pupil
of mine for about two years in The Union
Academy of this city. His scholarship
is good and sufficient to enable him to
discharge the duties of Clerk in ^any of the
Departments of the Government. His
moral character is unexceptionable; and
I believe him to be a true and loyal friend
of our Government. It would give me great
pleasure to see him appointed to a place
which would enable him to support a
widowed mother with her several chil
dren [children]
J [unclear] Richards
[gap] Prin. Union Ac'y [Academy]
