R. J. Cowart
Tahlequah C. N.
Col R. P. Pulliam, Fort Smith Ark.
Fort Smith A.R.K. Oct 31st 1860.
Hon. A. B. Greenwood Com. Ind. Affairs, Washington D. C.
Intruders Removed from Neutral land—much desire to confer with you and [illegible] in person with Capt Sturgeons who commanded Troops.
R. J. Cowart, U. S. Cherokee Agent
Sir: I have received reliable information that Forts Washita, Arbuckle, and Cobb, all in the Choctaw & Chickasaw Nations, and recently abandoned by Federal troops, are now in possession of Texas State troops, and that Texas is now urging at Montgomery, that the Wichita Indians and bands affiliated with them, occupying the district of Country between the 98 and 100 degrees west longitude & between Red River & Canadian leased by the United States from the Choctaws & Chickasaws, for the purpose of Locating said Indians are within the Jurisdiction of this, the Southern Superintendency, and by an examination of the treaty of 1855 made between the U. S. and the Choctaws & Chickasaws, you cannot fail to see the impropriety of the Indians occupying said district being attached to the Jurisdiction of Texas. unless she also extends her Jurisdiction over the Choctaws and Chickasaws.—Texas has tried on several occasions heretofore to have those Indians in the Leased district placed under her jurisdiction, but the Indians regard her as their ancient, and present enemy, and will never consent to such arrangement,
I have thought it my duty to call your attention to the subject that you may, if you think it expedient, lay it before your Honorable body for such action as it may think proper in the premises. Very Respectfully Your obt Servt
Elias Rector, Supt. Ind. Affairs.
Hon. David Walker, President Arks. State Convention.