"I am, general, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
"W. C. EARLES,
"Colonel 70th United States Colored Infantry."
"District of Natchez, May 21st, 1865.
"Hon. James E. Yeatman:
"Upon seeing your suggestions in the Democrat I wrote to my colonels of colored troops, and they are responding most nobly to the call. Farrar's regiment, 6th United States Heavy Artillery, sent some $4,700. The money here spoken of has been turned over to Major W. C. Lupton, Pay-master U. S. A., for you. Please acknowledge receipt through the Missouri Democrat. The idea is, that the monument shall be raised to Mr. Lincoln's memory at the national capital exclusively by the race he has set free.
"Very truly yours,
"J. W. DAVIDSON, Brevet Major-General."
"Head Pay Department, Natchez, Miss., June 15th, 1865.
"James E. Yeatman, Esq., President Western Sanitary Commission, St. Louis: