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Fort Gibson C.N June 3rd, 1864

Hon John P. Usher Secretary of the Interior Sir I forward to you herewith a copy of General Orders No.7 from the Headquarters of the military District, issued by authority of the Major Gen. J.G. Blunt. I also send you a certified copy of an application by Mrs. Martha Vann, to Col. Wm. A Phillips Commander unclear Brigade, for the privilege of gathering up her stock phrase inked out- &taking it o & disposing of it. The application has on it the endorsement of Col. Phillips & is referred by him to Gen. Thayer. the present Dist. commander. Accompanying that application is a certified copy of of. Gen. Thayer's response. By these papers you will perceive that Gen. Blunt's Order No 7 is yet in force. Now sir I regard this order as gross violation of the right of our people. We have [[word inked out- failed] ]been image inked out-? plundered by the ravages of the war_ our word inked out- catt stock has been destroyed to a great extent, & the little remnant of it that is left to our impoverished people is almost the only image- ? property they possess. Here then is an order taking from us the last vestige of the right to dispose of word inked out- our the only property we have left -a right dear to every free man, & without which no people can be free.