Letter-1865, April 19-A

Washington D. C. April 19, 1865

His Excl
A. Johnson,

   I will take it as a personal favor if you will grant the Authorities of the Methodist E Church, a proper hearing on the case of the lands in Kansas, which the Secy. of the Interior now proposes to convey to private parties by letters patent–thus placing them beyond the reach of said Church, and diverting them from the Charity of which they constitute the foundation. I refer to the Shawnee Mission Manual Labor School, as I think it is called.

   This Institution was founded before the division of the said Church-­ on that unfortunate event it was violently taken from their New York Board of Missions, without legal conveyance or authority in law. And now private parties under shadow of title from the Church South, seek to appropriate the said lands and buildings, and by securing your letters patent divert them from the purpose of the original foundation. I believe it is a good rule in equity to put the best possible construction on all law protecting public Charities 1n this land; which the enlightened opinion of the nation regards as such. President Lincoln had pledged them his word that they should have full time for a hearing.

I have the honor to be your obedient servant
R.L. Yates, U. S. Senator
per

[Photostat copy in Mss. Dept., K.S.H.S.]