Early Governors' Papers

great distances apart; the most, or wh-ole of whom, are claimants through one, two, or more, intermediate con-veyances. Captain ^Rice was the granter of near 130.000 acres ^in the Western District; he was also entitled to one sixth part of all the land granted to Mimican Hunt. He devised 46.000 acres of his lands to his brothers, sisters, & Jesse Benton, after which, he deuised 5000 acres to the Poor of Cumberland. His executors sold to Judge Overton, 55,000 acres, which added to the devises, exclusi -ve of the devise to the poor, amounts to 101.000 acres. Capt Rice died indebted to Col Polk of N. C. in ^a sum which, in 1822, amounted to $5,500. as its, for the payment of which, Elisha Rice conveyed 11.000 acres of the lands of Rices which were granted to Hunt, incumber -ed, however, with a claim of Col Ben ton, an other creditor. These lands were conveyed by Polk to M^r Murphy decea -sed, whose executor, Judge Murphy, has made arrangements to pay off the debts of Colonels Colonel Polk & Colonel Burton. From a letter of Judge Murphy accompanying this communication you will discover that the Judge has other claims for small parcels of this estate; tho the manner in which he procured them is not mentioned. From an other letter herew-ith sent, written by M^r J. Rice of Mad ison County Alabama, you will discover how extremely improvidently this

[less?] appointed it -

I give you a Carte blanche to do in this matter as you think but hoping & believing that you will aid me all you can -

If you think it advisable to get recommendations from [here?] let me know in what form [?] generally from the Bench & Bar, on from them individually to members of Congress - or both -

As Mr. Polk made all of his appointments in Oregon from the [Nov?] slaveholding states. I pressure Genl. Taylor will work those in California from the slaveholding states -

It might probably be as will for you to send on to Mr. Bell [yours?] & other recommendations, [write?] me fully.

My regards to Mrs. Brown & the family

Your friend [?] Goode

To Genl. N. S. Brown

N.B. I shall of course desire our of the highest judicial officers to be filled -