I compromised & settled with M^r Chickering at the request of Mess.[Messieurs] Griggs & Weld of Boston his claim against them for legal services; and gave Chickering a draft on them for the amount–2 M^r C. informed me that a part of his claim consisted of [$?]100 which he was to pay you for assisting him in the case; but as he had rebated a part of his account, he thought that you would be willing to take [$?]75 for your services– He gave me his word of honor & also his bond that he would produce to me your receipt in full for your claim by the 1^st of May– I was very anxious to secure your fee, and supposing that you would be here shortly after the adjournment of Congress, you could get the money from Chickering yourself– I understand however that you will not leave Washington until about the 1^st of April, and I fear that Chickering may not remain here until you get home, as he talks of going East; and I more fear that if you do not get your fee from him before he leaves here, there may be difficulty in getting it.–3 I have just learned that M^r Edwards wrote & requested you to send your claim to Billings & Parsons, which you have done–4 As the matter is now situated, I have suggested to Billings, not to present the claim at present, & he does not wish to have any thing to do with it– Chickering does not stand well here among us lawyers, as a man of integrity, but he must be the greatest scoundrel

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out, if he do not pay you & will place me in a very awkward predicament if he do not– I will therefore suggest that if you do not intend to start home on the adjournment of Congress, that you will immediately on the receipt of this, write me, and authorize me to receive the amount of your claim from Chickering & if you are willing to take [$?]75 to say so–5 You can say in your write the letter as if I had written to you on some other business & mentioned this matter incidentally & say that you want me to get it & send it to Robert Irwin at Springfield, as you ^will^ send it there, before your return home & must have it–

You will understand how to do the thing up from these suggestions– I want Chickering to pay you before he goes East & he must do it, or I fear it will be lost– He will not go East certainly before the 1^st of April I think–6 I feel much anxiety in this matter, because Nelson feels inclined to [?] me very much for not settling with Chickering in such a way as to retain your fee & I certainly would have done so, if I had had the money in my own hands.–7 I dislike very much however to deal with a man, ^so^ as to give him to understand that I believe he is a rascal & this was the case precisely with Chickering.–

I hope you will do all you can for our friend Cyrus Edwards in the way of getting him appointed Com^r Gen^l[Commissioner of the General] Land Office–8