1850 May 12 . C. Ely ALS to H. B. Ely; Keokuk, Iowa.
3 pages
Box 1
Heard that a missionary came to town with a letter for him, though he has not received it yet. Reports general good health, “considering I have been harassed up and down as respects to the wrights and property of this country for some length of time it being half breed sac & fox land.” Discusses the constitution and rules of possession, believing it applies to his 130 town lots and a 160-acre farm. Discussion of decree “to settle this half breed land, and will put aside all difaculty [sic] relative to it which has been got up by a fiew [sic] Interested persons in order (they say) to settle to us a good title, which we -- us half breeds as I call us consider a base and fraudulent thing, and, will I think terminate in resort to arms...” Notes that Clay and Webster believe the decree does not refer to Sac and Fox lands, "that it is swindling the settlers out of their wrights” and will not stand up in the Supreme Court.