[435] Evan Jones of the Baptist Mission, Cherokee Nation, to Dole, dated Lawrence, Kansas, November 2, 1861 [General Files, Cherokee, 1859-1865, J503].
[436] W. S. Robertson, who for twelve years had been “teaching in the Tullahassee Manual Labor School in the Creek Nation under the care of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions” [Robertson’s Letter of September 30, 1861, General Files, Southern Superintendency, 1859-1862, R1615].
Robertson says, that
Having witnessed the whole struggle between the Loyal & War parties, when the latter prevailed, I was on the 25th of August ordered by a party of the “Creek Light Horse” acting under the written orders of Moty Kenard and Jacob Derrysaw, Chief of the Creeks, to leave within twenty-four hours from the Creek country. I retired to my friends at Park Hill in the Cherokee where the same struggle was going on.
At Park Hill I enjoyed every facility for knowing the feelings of the people, the designs of the Executive.
When at last the Rebel flag flaunted over the council ground at Tahlequah, I left the Cherokee country with my family, and after encountering many dangers, succeeded in reaching Rolla, on the 23rd Sept. without giving any pledge to the enemy.
Having written to the Sec. of the Interior (from St. Louis, Oct. 1st) stating my long residence among the Creeks and Cherokees, my means of information, and my desire to give any information that would benefit our Gov’t or my loyal friends among the Indians—and having forwarded all the printed correspondence between the Rebels and Chief Ross (except the last letter of the Rebel commissioner, Albert Pike) together with Chief Ross’ speech at the Cherokee Convention at Tahlequah, on the 21st of Aug. and the resolutions passed at said Convention, without receiving any answer, I concluded that Col. Humphrey’s (of Tenn.) mysterious movements were all right, that he was loyal, and kept our Gov’t well informed as to the Rebel doings among the Indians. That I had redeemed my pledge to loyal Creeks & Cherokees.
Recent letters from St. Louis, & New York stating that “Gov’t agents are seeking information everywhere,” and urging me to write to “Gen. Hunter” & Washington, induce me to send you my address, to urge you in the name of humanity and justice not to take decisive measures against the betrayed and oppressed people, until you have heard all that can be said in their behalf.—Letter to Department of the Interior and referred to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated January 7, 1862 [General Files, Southern Superintendency, 1859-1862, R1664].
Mix answered it February 14, 1862 [Indian Office, Letter Book, no. 67, P. 357].
In a somewhat earlier letter, the one from which the extract, in the body of the text was taken, Robertson had said,