Amos T. Akerman to W. H. Y. Hackett, 12 September 1871

Sept. 12, 1871. W. H. Y. Hackett, Esq. Portsmouth, N. H. Sir: In answer to your letter of the 9th instant, I have to say that no such opinion as you describe has been submitted to the Attorney General. The formal opinions of this Department are sometimes prepared by the Assistant Attorneys General. Yet officers of this Department who are specially employed in other Departments sometimes render informal opinions to those Departments, and the one of which you write is probably of that character. I will refer your request for a copy to the Interior Department. Very respectfully, &c. A. T. Akerman, Attorney General.