The following is a copy of a letter written by Aaron Stewart to Hon. Matthew Lyon, a Representative in Congress from the State of Kentucky:
New Haven, Vt. Dec. 7, 1808
Although I was a child when you left this part of the country my knowledge of your character, as well as the friendship existing between you and my father (John Stewart) induces me to trouble you with a few inquiries as to the proceedings in Kentucky, or rather their laws under the following circumstances. One of my uncles went into that state, I think about the year '84, and purchased lands. He erected a distilery and was doing business to good advantage till he was draughted out in defense of his country against the Savages and was killed in St. Clair's defeat. My father had advise of his death soon after the melancholly event took place but the recent tumult there and the fears natural to people unaccustomed to travel lengthy journies prevented him from making any application for the property left by my uncle. My father is eldest brother and I am his oldest son. Now, sir, if you will have the goodness to inform me whether that property is now attainable and what are the necessary measures to be pursued if it is you will confer a real obligation upon one of your distant friends. I presume I could not apply to a more suitable person for the information in the above business than yourself. Your intimacy with its laws will enable you to inform me by letter whether I can obtain it, which favor I have to beg you will comply with as soon as you can without inconvenience to your own important concerns.
I am very respectfully your obt servant.
"Hon. M. Lyon. Aaron Stewart"
The foregoing letter seems to have been returned to Aaron Stewart for it was enclosed in the following reply from Lyon:
Washington, Feb. 20, 1809.
"Sir:-
"Your letter of the 12th of December is before me. In hopes of finding some clue to a knowledge of whereabouts your uncle lived I have waited an answer to you without success. I see no difficulty in your recovering your uncle's property if it can be found. The law provides for heirs under age and there is so many ways of breaking vendue titles that there is but little faith in them in Kentucky. Purchasers return the land for a handsome gratuity. Kentucky is larger than four Northern states and your uncle may have lived in Ohio - where I live was not settled till 1798. This is all I can say about it.
"Yours respectfully
M. Lyon."