Major Harris left a letter with me, in order that I might do something for you, in regard to your Goodman, or M^cAtee land–2 I understand the facts of the case to be as follows–
Dec.[December] 25. 1840– Chistian Goodman gave his note, and a mortgage on this land (S E.[Southeast] fr.[fractional] ¼ of Sec:[Section] 22– 17– 6) to William W. Vigal, to secure $112— with twelve per cent–
Jan^y[January] 7. 1842– Note credited $50
Jan^y 7. 1842– Note assigned by Vigal to Thomas Lewis–
Aug.[August] 20. 1842. Note assigned by Lewis to F. T. King–
Jan^y. 2. 1843. Note assigned by King to Webster & Hickox–

In 1850 or 1851, I commenced a foreclosure suit on the note & mortgage, in the Circuit court of Sangamon county, for Webster & Hickox–3

While this suit was pending, Goodman sold the land to M^cAtee, and Webster & Hickox also sold the note and mortgage to M^cAtee; and M^r Hickox directed me to do no more with the suit for him & Webster; but to hold it up subject to the direction of M^cAtee– So the suit has stood ever since, and still stands–

I now learn from Major Harris’ letter that M^cAtee

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died,4 and that the land has since been sol[d] (by the administrator of M^cAtee, to pay debts) to John Baker; and that Baker has since sold to you– The reason I write you is, that I can not understand, from the Major’s letter, precisely what your difficulty is–

He tells me that M^cAtee bought the land of Goodman; and if this is so, and he paid for the land, and Goodman deeded it to him, I do not perceive that you are in any difficulty at all.

Did M^cAtee pay Goodman for the land?

Did Goodman deed it to M^cAtee?

If either of them is true, Goodman’s heirs have no right to the land, though his widow would have dower, if she did not join in the deed– Please write me; and return me this letter, as it will save me hunting up the facts again–5