files recorded &c. The land was not

surveyed until a short time since as the

surveyor retained the negroes could not

pay to have their work done, but they

went forward and made improvements &c,

which gradually enhanced the value of

the land. Some parties living here by some

means employed a surveyor and laid

a land sutificate on that section of the

county, which embraced the five preem-

ptions belonging to the colored people,

and thereupon the negroes were ordered

to vacate the land at once. They came

to me and I told them to stay where

they were, and I immediately had the

land surveyed and returned the files

with the fieldnotes to the Gen Land office

with the protest of the negroes against

the issuance of the patent or asking

that it be canseled if issued. I have

since learned that the patent was

issued between office hours. The negroes

Homesteads are covered by a land sertif-

icate issued to John Talbott for 1720 acres