Page: [1]  
  
(Extract) 
 
Washington City  
Dec [December]  17, 1839  
Jno [John]  F. Gillaspie Nashville 
your favor of the  
8th inst [instant]  was received this morning. It seems you did not recive [receive]  my letter of the  
2d sept in which I gave you the information now desired. In relation to your claims on reserves and filing your protest and arguments I wrote you on the  
2d inst [instant]  informing you the Com. [Commissioner]  had completed his report and Submitted it to the Secretary of War -- his [he]  has not completed his action thereon but is progressing with it as fast as he can Calculates getting through shortly consider it uncertain If we had an attorney general here now he could be of some service to the claimants by deciding some questions which arrise [arise]  in the construction of the treaty and would probably thereby facilitate the business I shall remain until it is disposed of and unless you come on will inform you of the result at Madisonville  
 Betsey Woodward is here and like to be by her telling that she was from Arkansaw presume she can not [cannot]  be paid until the difficulties with the Cherokees there are settled unless the Secretary will change his order in relation to her individual case I had placed her on the list of the Cherokees East. I mention the foregoing for your information only -- House had elected Hunter speaker   
 
& c [et cetera]   
[Signed]  WHT [William Holland Thomas]