Fortress Monroe Va

January 28, 1864

 

My Dear Friend

                        Enclosed you will find two releases of mortgages that I hold, but which should have been discharged some time ago. When I wrote you about this matter, and you said that you could not complete the papers, without more items than I then had, I sent for the particulars; at the same time stating that if the party preferred, they might make out the discharges there, to have it in accordance with Illinois statutes, and then send them here and I would sign them. This has been done, and I received the papers, the same time that your last letter to me arrived. Now if you please I would like to have you complete your job, by making these out to suit the meridian of Lowell instead of Old Point come first, as I think you said you could do. Please do all that is needful in the matter. Perhaps on examination you will judge that you can do nothing in the matter; if so the parties / must wait until I get out of this place, as it does not hold a Notary Public within its limits, or any other civil officer capable of administering a legal oath. Please return the enclosed papers. On reading this over, I am not sure that you will understand what I wish, but it is about this. If you cannot complete the papers for me, you need not bother yourself about them; but if you can, I shall be very much gratified as my conscience smites me for leaving the business so long undone; although I sent him one discharge two yrs. ago, but he says it was worthless there. I will write you at length soon. Hoping this will find you quite well, and that I may soon hear from it. I remain

                                                                                   

Yours truly

Selwyn E. Bickford

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