Nathan Sargent from John M. Clayton, Jan. 3, 1842

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(Confidential)

New Castle Del: Jany. 3d. 1842.

Dear Sir,

If the bill to pay [text crossed out] {Fren}from claims for French spoliations[?] prior to 1800 should become a law during the present session, or if any other bill to pay these claims should pass during the present session or if a bill to establish a commission to liquidate those claims should pass during the present session and either at this or any future session a bill should pass Congress to pay those claims, you shall receive the first twenty five hundred dollars to which I may become entitled in consequence of the passage of either of said bills.

Please drop me a line stating how you think the cause of the claimants progresses.

Faithfully your friend
John M. Clayton

P.S. I am at present detained here by business. Could I be of any use at Washington?