Transcription: Medical College Hospital Richmond Aug 5th 1862 F. Sorrell M.D. Surgeon & Inspector of Hospitals Sir: The undersigned, officers of this Hospi- tal, respectfully represent that the present mar- ket prices of provisions and medical stores render it very difficult to fulfil the contract with the Govern- ment, by which the Hospital agrees to receive sick and wounded soldiers at a certain weekly rate, without constant risk of pecuniary loss and em barrassment. We therefore ask that our burdens may be lightened to some extent, by permission to purchase from the commissary dipartment, at Government prices, the following articles, viz: Salt, [underscore] Bacon, [underscore] and Butcher's Meat. [underscore] Very Respectfully B[everley] R[andolph] Wellford M.D. Surgeon in charge. L[evin] S[mith] Joynes, M.D. President. Vetoed by the Commissary General- L[evin] S[mith] J[oynes] Off[ice] Insp[ector of] Hosp[itals] Aug 1, 1862 Approved and [illegible] referred to Capt[ain] John[son] the pur- chases of comm to be based solely on the number of sick or wounded soldiers in Hospital. F. Sorrel Surg[eon] & Insp[ector of] Hosp[itals]