Amos T. Akerman to John H. Howe, 15 April 1871

April 15, 1871. Hon. J. H. Howe, Associate Justice Cheyenne, Wyoming Terr. Sir: I have deferred an answer to yours of the 24th ultimo, requesting leave of absence from your Territory, because I had reason to suppose that an Executive order would soon be issued upon the subject. I suppose that a copy of that order has been received by you.—Under its provisions I do not feel at liberty to authorize the absence which you request. You have already had leave of absence for forty days since the 10th day of December last, and without a partiality that would expose you and me to animadversions, apparently just, I could not make an exception to the rule which the law prescribes, and which the President, by this order, calls to mind. I perceive the force of the personal reasons which move you to desire a leave of absence, but I cannot yield to them without an example that would seriously impair my efforts to carry out the views of Congress and the President in this matter of absences. Very respectfully, &c, A. T. Akerman, Attorney General.