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March 2, 1871.
Hon. Columbus Delano,
Secretary of the Interior,
Sir:
I have received your letter transmitting certain letters from the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, and [no handwritten text supplied here] from Major John N. Craig, late U.S. Agent for the
Cherokee Indians, on the subject of employing counsel, at the cost of the Government, to
defend Major Craig in a suit brought against him by John B. Wright in the Supreme Court of
the District of Columbia.
I respectfully request that I may be informed whether the Interior Department regards the
acts for which Major Craig is sued, as done in the line of his official duty, as Agent for
said Indians. If such be the judgment of the Department of the Interior, I shall direct the
District Attorney for the District of Columbia to appear for the defense. But if Major Craig
has been sued for acts not done in the line of his duty, I know no reason why the Government
should provide counsel for him.
Very respectfully, &c.
A. T. Akerman,
Attorney General.
question of counsel for Major Craig, D.
C.