The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) 10-Q 2008 Q3 Quarterly report

EXHIBIT 15.1

October 7, 2008

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20549

   Re:   The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Registration Statements onForm S-8

(No. 333-80839)

(No. 333-42068)

(No. 333-106430)

(No. 333-120802)

Registration Statements onForm S-3

(No. 333-49958)

(No. 333-74006)

(No. 333-101093)

(No. 333-110371)

(No. 333-112367)

(No. 333-122977)

(No. 333-128461)

(No. 333-130074)

(No. 333-135453)

Commissioners:

We are aware that our report dated October 3, 2008 on our review of the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) at August 29, 2008, the related condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended August 29, 2008 and August 31, 2007, the condensed consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for the nine months ended August 29, 2008, the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended August 29, 2008 and August 31, 2007, and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended August 29, 2008 and August 31, 2007, included in the Company’s quarterly report onForm 10-Q for the quarter ended August 29, 2008 is incorporated by reference in the registration statements referred to above. Pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, such report should not be considered a part of such registration statements, and is not a report within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.

Very truly yours,

/s/  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP