C. Street, July 2.
Mr. Mix,
Dear Sir, Please have the western boundary of Mis. laid down on this map, and the outline of the Pawnee, Kanzas & Osage purchases, and the reservations, as they now stand within that outline. You need not show each purchase, but the outline of the whole. Yours truly
Thomas H. Benton.
Letter of July 2, 1853, Indian Office Miscellaneous Files, 1851-1854.
Washington City, August 5th, 1854.
Hon. G. W. Manypenny Esq., Com Indian Department, Washington City.
Dear Sir, Many people of Ohio, as well as of the states west of it, have for a long time been most anxious to learn through your Department, the nature of the several treaties made by yourself in behalf of the Government, with the several tribes of Indians occupying the Territories of Nebraska & Kansas: particularly as to the reservation of land made by such Tribes, its extent, where, when, & how to be located, & within what time,—and also what lands in both of said Territories by virtue of said treaties are now subject to location?
I regret to inform you that much censure has attached to your Department, in consequence of the delay which has attended the promulgation of the above information, but which from my long knowledge of you personally, and of the very prompt manner in which you have invariably discharged your public duties, I believe to be most unjust.
I seek the above information, not only for myself (contemplating a removal to Kansas) but also in behalf of many persons in the western states, who have solicited my intervention in that matter on my visit to this City. Very respectfully your friend