GENERAL PIERRE G.T. BEAUREGARD - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 10/26/1853 - HFSID 157627

PIERRE G.T. BEAUREGARD
Pierre G. T. Beauregard signs a manuscript letter discussing the accounts for the New Custom House.
Manuscript Letter Signed: "G.T. Beauregard", 1p, 7¾x10. New Custom House, Supts office, New Orleans, 1853 October 26. To Mr. H.I. Anderson, Commissioner of Customs, Treasy Dept, Washington. In full: "Being desirous of establishing in the accounts of the New Custom House a detailed tabular Statement of the Monthly Quarterly, and annual expenditures of the work showing its financial history from its commencement to its termination, and being unable to obtain from the papers on file at this office the information I require, I have to request that you will do me the favor to send me early as practicable from the files of your office the monthly expenditure for the mechanics and Laborers employed on the work from its commencement on the 3d June 1849 (Inclusive) specifying the No of days - rate per day or month and total amount paid to the Carpenters-Brick Masons-Stone Letters-Blacksmiths, Laborers &x &c." Beauregard was graduated from West Point in 1838 and was commissioned in the engineers and was, for several years, engaged in work on fortifications in various places. During the Mexican War, he saw action at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras and Mexico City. He was promoted to Captain, Corps of Engineers, March 3, 1853 and served as Superintending Engineer of the New Orleans Custom House, Louisiana, from 1853-1860. In 1853, he was in general supervision of the opening of the southwest pass into the Mississippi River and construction of a harbor on Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana. This letter was written by the 35-year-old Captain shortly after arriving at his post as Superintendent. Fragile and worn. Shaded and stained. Folds, vertical fold touches "B". 2-inch separation at lower horizontal fold touches 1 word (intact). Glue stains at upper margin from mounting and remnants on verso. Lightly creased..