March 8th 1857


Paola Lykens [Lykins] Co


honered [honored] Sir

I take the opportunity of writing you a few lines concerning our lands I mean the New York land as I belong to that nation we were drove away from there last spring by the squotters [squatters] We had ben [been] there evey [ever] since 1850 and had very good improvements and cattle hogs and every things to live my husband worked hard so we could have a good place but we had to leave it all they come to our hous [house] in the night to kill my husband but he was not there so we left and some other familys [families] the same we think according to our treaty that is our land but the squtter [squatter] have driven us from it now Sir be so kind as to tell me what is going to be done for us for we have sufered [suffered] a great deal some are allmost [almost] starving the sqotter [squatter] won't let them do any work so that they can raise any thing to eat they take our fields form us and burn our houses and every thing that is bad I do believe they are the worst people in the world we heard we had an Agent and that he would get orders soon to remove this people but do not how how [sic] true it is now sir do be so kind as to have something done immediately for us for we look to you as to a father to do something for his children please to write to me if there is going to be anything done and how soon if we can get on our land this spring time to raise a crop or how soon it will be done Yours with respects


Amelia Josephine Labedia

Page 2

Now Sir I say to you again be so good as to Answer my letter and let me know what we can depend upon for we are anchoces [anxious] to know for we have no home and we wish to have one no more at present


Amelia J Labedia