Two handwritten and signed letters both written in Washington D.C. One, an original, is dated May 10, 1824 and addressed to John C. Calhoun (1782-1850), Secretary of War of the United States. The item recommends Lt. Hammond, a recent graduate of West Point, to a position with the United States Corps of Engineers. The other, a photocopy, is dated June 21, 1832 and addressed to "my son" discussing the bill for the laying out of the Territory of Arkansas and in getting the area surveyed.