[Note in pencil: Enclosed in letter from John Hughes, abp. to Seward, Aug 17, 1861]
Gregory House Lake Mahopac 12th August 1861
Revd & Dear Sir
I have a favor to ask -- my Brother in law Mr James S. Reynolds, Jnr. (you may perhaps remember him he was brought up at St Johns College) is the principal clerk in the Surveyors Office in New York, he entered the office as the lowest clerk and is now the first, he fears that the new Lawyer Mr Rufus Andrews may remove him, I am informed that a few lines from you to Secretary