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at the last session by our delegation, praying for the restitution of money deducted out of our annuity by order of the Secry of War for the benefit of certain traders of whom collections had been made under our laws by our officers as a tax for retailing merchandize within our jurisdiction, and also our claim for interest on the annuity arriving out of the treaty of 1804 which was not paid for twenty years, in consequence of said treaty not having been constitutionally ratified on the part of the United States. You are authorized by law to employ a Counsel or Counsels, to aid you in any business for the benefit of the Nation; but it is left to your own direction & judgement to determine the expediency & necessity of doing so, and should you find it to be more advisable to engage the services of a Counsellor, you will take care to endeavor to select a gentleman whose weight of character & moral worth may stand no less conspicuous than the pre-eminence of his legal talents; and the condition of the engagement in regard to the services to be performed, & the fee to be given, should be perfectly understood between you. _ Should you find that the appropriation which has been made to meet the expenditure of the delegation shall be inadequate, you are authorized to draw on the General Government for any amt of the annuity due to this nation that you may deem necessary and you will keep a correct account of all expenditures, made by you during your abscence, and on your return make a correct report of the same to the National Treasurer. In the discharge of the duties of your mission you are authorized fully to exercise a sound discretion & judgment in all things to promote the best interests of the Nation, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution & laws of the Nation, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution & Laws of the Nation. The permanent security of our territorial boundary, and our right to exercise sovereign jurisdiction over the country embraced by the same, have been very unjustly called in question & are infringed upon by the State of Georgia. Therefore, all the energies of your mind, together with a close application to business, are expected & required of you in vindicating & guarding those sacred rights. Confiding in your fidelity & abilities to dischage the important duties entrusted to your care, I pray your mission may be crowned with success. Wishing you health, a pleasant journey & a safe return to your respective families, I am, Gentlemen, Very Respectfully, Yr. obt. servt. John Ross