Letter-1865, April 7-B

DIOIA. April 7th 1865

   Sir: Referring to your communication of 7th instant directing steps to be taken for the issue of a patent to Thomas Johnson for the three Sections of land granted by the 2nd and 6th Articles of the Shawnee treaty of May 10th 1854. In consequence of the representations made by Bishop Simpson and others on behalf of the Methodist Episcopal Church to the President of the United States I was verbally requested by him to take no steps for the issue of the patent for said land until such time as said church should have time to show cause, if any exists, why such patent ought not to issue as above stated, and at the time informed the President that the request would be complied with.

   I have no disposition to delay this matter in the least & do not doubt that Alex J_____ is entitled to the patent, but under the circumstances above stated think it proper to lay the facts before you in an official form, and will add that in case you then think it proper to proceed, I have all the papers prepared and ready for immediate transmission to the General Land Office.

Very respectfully &c.
William P. Dole

Hon. J.P. Usher
Secretary of Interior

[Photostat copy in MSS. Dept. K.S.H.S.]