Amos T. Akerman to Hamilton Fish, 23 August 1871

Aug. 23, 1871 Hon. Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State. Sir: Referring to your letter to me of the 19th ultimo, enclosing a communication from the British Minister, relative to the case of John Davidson, convicted in Montana Territory of selling whisky to Indians, I have the honor to transmit herewith the copy of a Report of Cornelius Hedges Esq. U.S. District Attorney, of a letter to Mr. Hedges from Wm F. Wheeler, Esq. U.S. Marshal, and of a deposition of[no handwritten text supplied here]Hand, a deputy U.S. Marshal. These papers show, I think, that Davidson had a fair trial, and was properly convicted, and that he has no proper claim to the character of a British subject. Very respectfully, A. T. Akerman, Attorney General.