I am in receipt of your favor of the 1st inst.¹ relative to the appointment of J. H. Michael as a Notary Public, and I beg to say in reply that I think there is some special reason for his appointment. It is often very difficult to get an officer to take the acknowledgment and privy examination of colored women to deeds and other instruments which they are called on to execute. White men do not like to go to their houses and often it is inconvenient for these colored women to go before an officer. It was a case of this kind which suggested the appointment of Michael to me. I was having a deed of trust executed by a man and his wife, and she was sick, and unable to come down town, and I had considerable trouble to get a notary to go to her house. I then suggested to Michael to apply for appointment as Notary Public, which he consented to do. I was entirely responsible for his making the application, and I made the suggestion because I thought it would be an accommodation and convenience to the colored people of that community. Michael is a graduate of Tuskegee, and has been teaching school for twenty years, and has been principal of our Hill Street colored school for four years. I do not see how his exercise of the duties of this office, if it is an office, will interfere with any one, and I would be very glad if you will reconsider the matter and give him the appointment. However, the responsibility is with you, and you have no doubt, given it far more consideration than I have. I only regret that I suggested it to Michael before ascertaining whether or not he could be appointed.

Assuring you of my kind regards, I am