Yours of April 4th concerning the appointment of W. W. Lawrence, a colored man or your city, as notary public, received. Replying I have to say that a commission has already been issued to this party. A petition dated March 27th, requesting the appointment of Lawrence is signed by the following parties:

Richardson Printing Co.,
D. P. Henry,
E. V. Hackburn¹,
John Dunn,
John Suter, Jr.,
R. J. Dissosway,
A. P. Bill,
Edward W. Smallwood,
Charles L. Hill
G. H. Scott²,
W. G. Boyd,
Geo. Henderson,
J. J. Tolsom,
C. E. Foy.

This department has appointed two or three colored men as notaries public, but in every instance recommendations thought to be entirely satisfactory were required. If this department can be assured that the appointment of this man was a serious blunder, I will undertake to have the commission withdraw. Some of the names I have given you may not accurate, as I cannot read them very readily.