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Freedmen's Bureau Records: John A. McDonnell to Roswell Waldo, December 18, 1868

Summary:
McDonnell tells Waldo not to employ a professional auctioneer for the sale of unspecified items, as the cost is unnecessarily high.

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Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
Head Quarters 9th Sub District Virginia Mr. Roswell Waldo
Assistant Sub Assistant Commissioner
Staunton, Virginia

December 18th 1868

Winchester

Sir

I respectfully return herewith vouchers of auctioneers in Staunton their charges being considered very exorbitant. No authority to print advertisements was sent, the property not being considered sufficiently valuable to warrant any expense.

It is unnecessary for you to employ any professional auctioneers. The United States can employ any person as an auctioneer, also he will not be required to pay any license.

At Woodstock, where precisely the same things are to be sold, one dollar is the auctioneer's fee. About three dollars ought to be ample for ten minutes work.

Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant

John A. McDonnell
Sub Assistant Commissioner