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I then saw Mr Randolph and told him of this demand on Blaney, and of Blaney's promise to pay it in the afternoon. Mr Randolph then said to me, "you have a perfect right to demand rent— the Government has no claim, & no entry has been made upon the books of the department, and were I in your place I would collect it; but if you do collect it, Doctor, it will subject me to much annoyance I fear; for I shall be presented, and persecuted at Washington City for doing so." I replied, that I would not subject him to any such trouble or annoyance for that amt, and would therefore, if he wished, instruct Blaney to pay the money into his hands, ^& that he might have it refunded to me in such manner as would save him ^from this apprehended difficulty. This he promised to do—. The money was paid to him and upon consultation with the Financial Agent of the Freedmens Bureau, Capt Horace James, who unequivocally said it was properly mine, and should be returned to me. He advised Mr R. to place it in the fund for rents on abandoned lands, and advise me to petition for it and it would assuredly be returned to me. This Mr R did, making full explanations on the books of the facts and circumstances of the case. 

I petitioned through you for the amt finl. [[?]]