In the absence of Col Archer I oppened your letter giving the official vote of this congressional District by which we regret to see his defeat by one vote.2 We all think, there has been fraud in the Clay County vote, we rec^d[received] letters from Gentlemen of standing in that county— stating the vote of M^r Allen 533 Archer 347 and now Archer vote is not changed a vote, whilst M^r Allen vote is increased sixty.3 I wish you would take the trouble to see how stands the vote between Moore and Miller in that county and let us know all the vote.4 M^r Constable who has been to Mt Vernon attending Court, came home last night, and says no one in Clay Co[County], pretends that Allen vote is more than 186 Maj[Majority]— he conversed with those who were present at the counting of the vote, and they all concur in say^ing^ 186,– Should we however be wrong in thinking there has been cheating— we have ample grounds for contesting– hoping to hear from you soon I am d^r sir