Washington, October 24, 1860.
Hon. John B. Floyd,
Secretary of War:
Sir : Being about to furnish the President with some statistics in reference to the unprecedented drought which has afflicted Kansas Territory for more than fourteen months, I have to request that you will favor me with replies to the following queries, viz:
1st. What amount of rain has fallen in that Territory during the last fourteen months?
2d. What has been the state of the atmosphere ?
Together with such comments as you may deem proper to submit as to the causes of the existing famine in said Territory.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully,
THADDEUS HYATT.