I avoid permitting myself to be made a channel for conveying petitions to Congress, where the parties can themselves address them directly. the inclosed is from a people new in their connection with us, uninformed of the proper tract of business, & too distant to be set in the right tract before the session would end. as they have no representative here, I see no channel more proper for getting their petition presented, than by asking that favor on their behalf of yourself as you are chairman of the commee having land matters under their charge; desiring at the same time it may not be stated as coming through me, because that might encourage others to resort to the same course. Accept my salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect.