Amos T. Akerman to George C. Bates, 27 December 1871

Dec. 27, 1871. Geo. C. Bates, Esq. U. S. Attorney, Salt Lake City, Utah. Sir: I have received several letters from you on the subject of the expenses of the Courts of Utah in Territorial prosecutions. In consequence of the construction hitherto followed by the accounting officers of the Treasury, I have no power to provide the necessary funds. I have done the only thing that seemed possible in the matter, which was to bring the subject to the attention of the Committees on Territories in the two houses of Congress, and to urge prompt action. Very respectfully, A. T. Akerman, Attorney General.