Inclosed you find the Declaration of Mrs Lydia Ray widow of Joseph Ray showing that she is still alive. I have also obtained the certificate of Doctor Joseph H. Peyton our member of Congress from this District showing that Thomas A Williams is the clerk of the Macon county court also his request to you to take up this claim and dispose of it without waiting to reach it in its regular turn which I hope you will feel willing to do as Mrs Ray is very low in health and not expected to live long you will also see that J B Short who was the witness testifying as to her being alive in August last as the Justice of the Peace before whom she made her Declaration and I also got the certificate of the Secretary of State and his official Seat thereto as you will see I hope the proof now is satisfactory & at the request of the member of Congress you will take up the case and allow it without delay.

By reference to your letter of the 21st June last no particular form of proof was prescribed consequently I was surprised to see your letter of 24th ultimo