N a lot of covers which came from the Ferrary Collection, I noticed one which was stamped "Paid 5," in black and next to it was a signature "J. Y. HALL." The cover was addressed to Gains Whitfield and as I knew that Robert S. Nelson, of Birmingham, Ala., had found the Whitfield correspondence, I dropped him a line, enclosing a photograph, and asked him what he knew about this cover. His answer, which I give herewith, is decidedly interesting. Upon consultation with Messrs. Luff and Costales, of the Scott Stamp & Coin Co., they expressed the intention to list these envelopes under the heading of Confederate States Provisionals.

Mr. Nelson's letter is as follows:

Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 12, 1924.

My Dear Mr. Knapp:

I found three copies of this 5c Demopolis, Ala., in 1899, at Dr. Whitfield's home. I sold one to Ferrary, gave one to my friend, August Dietz, of Richmond, and I am enclosing the third copy, which I had kept for myself, and on which you will note that the first name in the signature is written "Jno." instead of the initial "J"

(as in your photograph). This photograph is of the copy that went to Ferrary.

"When I found these, I asked about Mr. Hall and was he Postmaster of Demopolis in 1861. I was told he had moved to Texas, but that his son was living in my town, working on Morris Avenue. I called to see the son and he gave me his father's address in Texas and I wrote him, sending him one of the envelopes to refresh his memory. He replied that he did handstamp envelopes "PAID 5," when he was Postmaster at Demopolis in 1861, then signed his name on the envelopes and sold them in the Post Office.

(Signed) ROBERT S. NELSON." To further authenticate this, if possible, I wrote to the Postmaster at Demopolis, asking information as to the name of the Postmaster there in 1860-61. His answer, dated Nov. 19, 1924, is as follows:

"In reply to yours, I beg to advise that, while we have no official office record of who was Postmaster here in 1860-61, I am told by some of the oldest citizens that J. Y. HALL was Postmaster at that time. (Signed)

BEASON, P. M. Demopolis, Ala."

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