Enclosed I send a claim which my Father desires to present to congress. accompanying it I send a brief from the Dep^t of the case. I desire to call your attention to one or two in accuracies in the statement

On the first page you will see it stated that “J Small informed the Dep^t that [Straughn?] had committed a depredation”

M^r Small^s letter was after the arrest. Further it say: “[Straughn?] had previously been tried and convicted & had escaped, & it was rejected on the ground that it was not consistent with the usages of the Dep^t to give a reward for the apprehension of a convicted mail robber. such was not the case.

The charge for the original apprehension & prosecution of [Straughn?] & Mills.

I think the claim is a perfectly just and well formed. There has been no dilatoriness for it has been regularly prosecuted & not acted upon, except by Mr Wicklife and I think it is apparent that he mistook the usages of the Dep^t Mr Barry^s decision was given upon a misconception of the claim. If an affidavit from my Father or any proof be necessary no doubt it can be furnished. Will you be good enough to undertake its presentation.

Let me know what will be necessary.

I will thank you very Kindly if you can deem it proper to urge this claim and if it now be in my power I shall be happy to reciprocate your kindness