§ From Cowles Mead. 7 August 1806, Washington, Mississippi Territory. “It being the intention of the General Government that this Territory should be supplied with all the laws of the U. States, and finding this desirable object foiled by some accident or neglect, I take the liberty to mention it to you, and point out those acts which have not arrived. The laws of the second session of the eighth Congress came to hand since my entrance on the duties of the Executive department.

“After a correct examination of the volumes in the offi⟨ce⟩ and an interview with my predecessor, I am convinced tha⟨t⟩ the absent volumes have never been transmitted, or if transmitte⟨d⟩ never arrived at the seat of this Government. The Absentees are the 1st. & 2nd. sessions of the 5th. Congress—the 2nd. session of the sixth Congress, and the first session of the eighth Congress—could you conveniently send on a few volumes for the principal offices you would be rendering the Territory an essential service & thereby give a value to those which we have already received.

“Permit me Sir to claim this service at your hands.”