Inclosed are the affidavit and certificate in suport of the claim of Lydia Ray whose claim you informed me in your letter of 19th December 1837 had been rejected. In my letter to you inclosed at the time the last additional testamony was transmitted to you I requested you to suspend any decision upon the claim until further proof should be adduced of more services. I know at that time of persons who had a personal knowled of more services but to what extent I could not acertain consequently my desire was that no decision at least unfavourably should be made until the proof should be exhausted. I was apprised that four months of the six months tour was all the service that Joseph Ray actually performed he having died at the end of four months and a substitute having served the ballance of the time to wit two months. But as they always said he served more I was anxious at some time or other to see several persons whose names they have as having a person knowledge of the facts. That time has come and I have found one in Robertson County in this State who had a knowledge of three month service in addition to the four months they say there are some persons in North Carolina who can prove more service; but as the claim had cost me a great deal of trouble and the proof has already been gathered in several counties of the Sate I would be willing so far as I have any thing to say in her behalf that if it can be allowed for seven months the amount of service proved that a final disposition be made of it in that way I think you will find the proof now sufficient and if it shall be thought indispensible that two witnesses must prove the same fact I have only to say that we must be patient and try for more testamony. I hope this will not be the case and I should be glad to be done with it as the old Lady is sure to ask me about it every time I pass by her house. Please give it your earliest attention