To the expenditure for the purchase of these must be added the $120,000, paid on contract No. 47 for feeding indigent Indians; so that the whole expenditure was probably but little short, if any, of $19,000. A difference of a single cent per ration would have made a difference of nearly $150,000 in the whole amount paid; a difference of five cents, $750,000. No. 50 shows that the average cost of the Indian ration, between 1831 and 1836, was 65 cents, and that but two contracts out of between fifty and sixty had allowed 9 cents. The lowest contract with Harrison & Glasgow (No. 12) allowed 9 cents, and that was the only one below 12 cents; the highest allowed was 15 cents. If to any loss on this account there be added the injustice done to the Indians in the execution of contracts, the aggregate injury will be greatly increased; but this last item cannot be expressed in figures, and, to be properly appreciated, it is necessary to consider the condition of the Indians, the policy of the Government with respect to them, and the duties growing out of these circumstances a theme calculated to warm the philanthropy of the greatest men in the land. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. J. C. SPENCER, Secretary of War. Synopsis of documents and statements accompanying the preceding report. No. 1. Copy (from the Indian bureau at Washington city) of an order from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to Lieutenant Searight, at Cincinnati, directing him to conclude contracts for provision. Nos. 2 and 3. Extracts (from the Indian bureau) from contracts made by Lieutenant Searight. [NOTE. In addition to the provision contracted for as above, Lieutenant Searight purchased in the open market $79,941 68 worth, which he sent to Fort Coffee for the Chickasaws, (see No. 32,) at an expense of $61,833 59.] No. 4. Copy (from the Indian bureau) of a letter from the Chickasaw chiefs to the President of the United States, dated Pontotoc, 17th Febru ary, 1837. They express a hope that arrangements will be made by the 1st of May for the emigration of a "considerable number" of the Chickasaws; state objections to their being moved by contractors; ask that one or more discreet persons" be appointed to superintend the removal of such as may be in readiness to remove in the spring [of 1837;] that the superintendent be empowered to provide every thing necessary for their removal, including provision, after ascertaining how many would be ready to remove; that the Chickasaw national fund be charged with the salary of superintendent; suggest details calculated to provide for the conveyance of the Chickasaws with their provision into their new country by the same steamboats; state the plan of removal as that of Captain Armstrong. The chiefs nominate two persons as superintendents. 1837, from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs; informs the chiefs that their wishes have been "anticipated;" that preliminary measures are in progress-appointment of agents and purchase of provisions; that Major Upshaw has been appointed superintendent of removal; that, as soon as possible, officers will join them to arrange for their removal; that no contract for their removal will be made; advises them to commence their preparations immediately: No. 6. Extracts (from Indian office) from a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to Major Upshaw, 15th April, 1837; sends a copy of the letter from the Chickasaw chiefs to the President; directs Major Upshaw to repair immediately to Pontotoc, [as superintendent of removal,] salary to be $2,000; alludes to the Chickasaws proposing a removal; states that the plan, in its general features, had been "anticipated by the Department;" informs that Lieutenant Searight had been sent to Cincinnati to contract for Indian rations: 200,000 rations to be sent to Memphis, by the 10th, 100,000 to Little Rock by the 20th, and 1,000,000 on the Arkansas river by the 30th May next; deems this sufficient for the whole tribe during ther removal, and for four months in their new country. No. 7. Copy (from Indian office) of a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to Captain Armstrong, 4th of November, 1837; informs that large additions may be expected of Chickasaw emigrants, and gives plenary power to provide for them. [Passing the Chickasaw business for the present.] No. 8. Extracts (from Indian office) from a contract 29th February, 1836, with Samuel Mackey, for supplying Creek Indians with rations, within 50 miles of the Creek agency for one year from the 1st of March, at four cents and four and three-fourths mills a ration. [NOTE.-Under this contract, Mackey failed to supply corn on the Canadian, a part of the year, 40 miles from Fort Gibson. See Captain Brown's letter, No. 13.] No. 9. Extracts (from the Indian office) from a contract with John Dillard to supply rations to Creeks near Fort Gibson temporarily, for seven and a half cents. No. 10. Copy (from the Indian office) of a letter from General Arbuckle to Brigadier General Jones, dated Fort Gibson, November 1, 1836; informs that 12,000 Creeks are expected in about a month; that the contractor to subsist them till the 31st of March is a man of energy, and will do all he can; fears he will be unable to provide for them; 'tis too late to drive cattle over 120 or 130 miles, and 'tis difficult to collect the cattle, being scattered in thick woods and cane brakes; thinks all the cattle within a hundred miles of Fort Gibson would not fill Mackey's contract; may furnish pork, but at a considerable loss; has no doubt that salt pork will have to be purchased after the expiration of Mackey's contract, if not before. No. 11. Extract (from Indian office) of a letter from General Arbuckle to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated Fort Gibson, December 18, 1836. Thinks the subsistence cannot be had in that part of the country for the Creeks for more than two or three months. As the contractor is unable to supply subsistence on the Canadian, regrets that Opothle Yohola will be detained near Fort Gibson until February or March. [He arrived about December before.] No. 12. Copy (from Indian office) of a contract made by Captain Brown, of a contract 10th of January, 1837, with Glasgow & Harrison for rationing Creek Indians within 70 miles of Fort Gibson, for one year from the 1st of April, 1837, [the termination of Mackey's contract ;] also to furnish Seminoles, near the mouth of the North fork, from the 1st of July, 1837, to the 30th March, 1838. Art. 2 describes the kind of rations; art. 4 fixes the price at nine cents and three mills per ration. No. 13. Copy (from Indian office) of a letter from Captain Brown to Commissioner of Innian Affairs, dated Little Rock, January 18, 1837, informs that Captain Stephenson (who was at Fort Gibson) reports a failure of Mackey to furnish corn on the Canadian; had sent him $20,000 with which to purchase it. No. 14. Copy (from Indian office) of a letter from Captain Collins to Commissioner of Indiain Affairs, dated March 17, 1837, informs that the Seminoles, expected from Florida, have not been heard from; reports a want of provision in the country, owing to the large emigration of Creeks; country through which the emigrants are to pass is drained of provision; suggests the propriety of placing provision in depot for them at "convenient points." The contractors, from the scarcity in the country, are procuring their supplies from Missouri and Kentucky. No. 15. Copy (from Indian office) of a letter from Captain Collins to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated Little Rock, April 11, 1837; doubts the ability of the contractors to subsist the emigrants; matter of opinion; but founded on a knowledge of their resources, &c.; contractors are making every exertion-river not navigable above Van Buren; the issues for April have been made, and thinks those for May will be made; has given the contractors every aid; thinks the Department should be prepared for a failure of the contractors; suggests placing a large amount of funds in Natchez or New Orleans, subject to his order; can procure supplies in Missouri; pledges himself the Indians shall not suffer. No. 16. Copy (from Indian office) of a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to Captain Collins, dated Office Indian Affairs, April 26, 1837; advises that provision will be purchased in New Orleans to guard against a failure of supplies "by contract or otherwise;" 2,000,000 of Indian rations will be purchased with funds sent for the purpose; an agent will be sent to convey the provision to Fort Gibson while the Arkansas is navigable. This measure is one of precaution, designed to meet any emergency. No. 17. Copy (from Indian office) of a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to Captain Collins, dated Office of Indian Affairs, April 18, 1837; acknowledges receipt of his letter of the 17th ultimo; no certain information can be given, but it is believed that 1,000 Seminoles will be" started this or next month ;" authorizes Captain Collins to purchase provision, if necessary, &c., but will use his own discretion. No. 18. Copy (from Indian office) of a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to Captain Collins, dated May 6, 1837; acknowledges reception of his letter of the 11th ultimo; is satisfied of the "wisdom" of the measures adopted by this office to meet any case of failure of the contractors; prefers the plan adopted [that of purchasing] to his, Captain Collins's plan, [that of placing funds in Natchez or New Orleans subject Orleans and sent to Fort Gibson; Captain Brown is to be employed as an agent; cautions Captain Collins to keep all accounts of issues and expenses, touching the 2,000,000 rations, separate, so that the expenses may be charged to the proper appropriations and properly apportioned; commits the protection of the provision to Captain Collins. No. 19. Copy (from Indian Office) of a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to Lieutenant J. B. Grayson, dated Office of Indian Affairs, April 26, 1837; it has become necessary to purchase provision at New Orleans for the subsistence of Indians west of the Arkansas; requests him to purchase, immediately, what may be had with $200,000, which sum will be remitted forthwith; states the component parts of an Indian ration to be of the same quality with army provisions; an agent will be appointed to receive the rations and transport them to Arkansas; important to avail of the navigation of the Arkansas, and urges despatch. No. 20. Copy (from Indian office) of a letter from Captain Brown to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated Little Rock, June 3, 1837; reports that the contractors (Glasgow & Harrison) have thus far been prompt in furnishing supplies according to contract; generally believed they will comply with their contract, unless obliged to pay specie for what they buy. No. 21. Extract (from the Indian office) of a letter from Captain Brown to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated Little Rock, July 18, 1837; reports the condition and resources of the several tribes in the Southwest; the Choctaws emigrated, principally, in 1832 and 1833; the first year's emigrants made corn, and sold largely to Government for those who arrived in the fall and winter of 1832; the next year they sold 40,000 bushels of corn to Government, and have prospered since; the Creeks are a "corn-growing people;" some principal farmers crib 5,000 to 10,000 bushels a season; don't raise much stock, but are better agriculturists than either the Choctaws or Cherokees. The large number of Creeks that emigrated last winter [those referred to by General Arbuckle, No. 10] have planted extensively, and have a prospect of plentiful crops; the resources of the people [Creeks] are, at present, equal to all their wants. No. 22. Copy (from Indian office) of a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to Captain Collins, dated Office of Indian Affairs, July 6, 1837; expresses apprehension, from information received from Lieutenant Van Horne and other sources, that the provision for the Chickasaws will be spoiled during the warm weather; contrary to all expectations, these Indians are not likely to go west in great numbers till the fall, if then; it is feared that not more than 500 or 1,000 will go so soon ; under these circumstances the proper measures to be taken are committed to your [Captain Collins's] discretion; urges immediate precautions to save loss by sale or exchange, or "some other expedient"-expenses sanctioned; all expenses on account of Chickasaws are to be defrayed from their own money—their accounts, therefore, not to be blended with others; commits a like discretion with respect to the provision at Fort Gibson-suggests that the oontractors might be willing to take some. No. 23. Copy (from Indian office) of a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to Captain Collins, dated Office Indian Affairs, August 31, 1837; acknowledges reception of letter from Captain Collins, of 27th July; confides to Captain Armstrong and Captain Collins the dis position of the rations at Fort Gibson, [the $200,000 worth purchased by Lieutenant Grayson;] directs him to open a correspondence with Captain Armstrong, and, after a free consultation, do what in the judgment of both will best serve the public interest. A copy of this letter will be sent to Captain Armstrong and Captain Brown. No. 24. Copy (from the Indian office) of a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to Captain Armstrong, dated Office of Indian Affairs, August 31, 1837; transmits a copy of the above letter to Captain Collins, and informs that the disposal of the rations at Fort Gibson is committed to their "joint decision." No. 25. Copy (from Indian office) of a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to Captain Collins, dated Office Indian Affairs, August 31, 1837; acknowledges reception of his letter of the 2d instant; having al ready intrusted to the discretion of Captain Armstrong and yourself the disposal of the rations at Fort Gibson, extends that discretion to the rations at Fort Coffee; has authorized Captain Armstrong to supply certain Chickasaws on Red river by contract, if they cannot be supplied from the depot at Fort Coffee, and has advised him that Captain Collins would aid him if called upon; approves of the disposition of some corn, as reported. No. 26. Copy (furnished from the Indian office) of a contract made by Captain Armstrong and Captain Collins, with Lorenzo N. Clark, dated December 8, 1837, by which the latter received a quantity of salt pork from the Chickasaw depot, and agreed to deliver fresh beef in its stead. [NOTE. In respect to this, it appears that existing or subsequent contracts cut off the opportunity of requiring a compliance with this particular contract, except by consent of Mr. Clark. See Captain Armstrong's letter, No. 35. That consent appears to have been obtained, but only $5,476 78 worth was delivered, out of $32,674; and the balance yet remains due-No. 30.] No. 27. Copy (furnished from the Indian office) of a contract made on the 1st of February, 1838, between Captains Armstrong and Collins and Glassgow & Harrison. Art. 1. Armstrong and Collins shall deliver the Chickasaw rations then at Fort Coffee to Glasgow & Harrison. Art. 2. Glasgow & Harrison shall receive the salted pork and corn, and . deliver fresh beef in place of salt pork, ration for ration, [a ration is threequarters of a pound of salt pork, or one pound of fresh beef,] within the Chickasaw district of the Choctaw nation, not over 125 miles from Fort Coffee; and a bushel (or 42 2-3 rations) of sound corn for every bushel of corn received by them. Art. 3. Armstrong and Collins shall pay Glasgow & Harrison for each ration of meat so delivered by them, two cents; and for each ration of corn, five cents and one and one-third mill. Art. 4 provides for issues over and above the quantity turned over to Glasgow & Harrison to include the 31st of January, 1839. [One year from date of contract.] Art. 5. Armstrong and Collins agree to pay Glasgow & Harrison, for each meat and salt ration furnished in accordance with article 4, six cents and five mills, and for each corn or flour ration, seven cents and five mills, or fourteen cents for a complete ration. |