The Brigham Young Center

G. S. L. City Aug. 16, 1858

Sir

Your letter of the 14th inst. is received. It may not be becoming in me to differ with your honor in regard to the present being a proper and occasion to ask for your`official construction' of a statute, while you are at the same time performing an official act which such construction must pronounce right or wrong. I am far from any inclination to contest at present, my what I most sincerely consider my clear right to retain my position as Clerk of the 3d Judicial District of this Territory. In turning over to your honor the Seal and Records of the Court. I respectfully submit to your honor, that I do so under my solemn protest, and under the honest impression from a fair and natural construction of the Statute formerly quoted. that my removal without any proper cause and the appointment of my successor is an assumption of a right clearly and unquestionably in opposition to Law.

I have the honor to remain Very respectfully Yr. obt. Servt.

(signed) J. W. Cummings

Hon C. EW Sinclair