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From DigitalMaine Transcription Project
I would do all I could for him. I had no power to appoint an assistant surgeon's mate, and he has been nominally Hospital Steward but in reality - Surgeon's mate. He has been very active indeed in the discharge of all the duties assigned him by Surgeon Allen, & I assure you they have been very arduous. In fact I hardly see how the Surgeon could have got along without his assistance. Now Dr. Palmer is not so particular about the amt. of his salary, as he is about having a position in the Regiment more worthy of a man of his qualifications.
My object in writing is to ascertain if you have not both the power & disposition to com-