In regard to Agent Crawfords report I must here state, that from the best information I can obtain of the condition of affairs among the Cherokees, I cannot concur with him, but I will inform myself fully in this regard during my present visit among them and will furnish my views fully in my report, Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt.
E. Rector, Supt. Ind. Affairs
S. S. Scott Esq Acting Comr. Ind. Affairs
Richmond, Va
Office Supt Ind Affair, Fort Smith Feby 1st 1862
Sir: Genl. Pike is here with $50.000 Dollars in Gold and Silver for the Choctaws, and as I am compelled to accompany him on important business to Fort Gibson, I have determined to take the above money with me to that place and pay it out there, which will be as convenent for you as to pay it here, and as Col Cooper will have to be present at the payment, it is necessary to make the payment when he can attend. I will be ready to pay over to your Treasurer the above money at Fort Gibson in days from this date, and I wish you to send with your Treasurer a delegation of three responsible persons to be selected by you to witness the payment. This I require, as it is a special case with our government to pay out Coins to the Indian tribes at this time, and to insure the payment by the Treasurer of the same funds to your people, that he receives from me. Our government is determined to use all precautions to prevent speculations out of the funds sent out to pay to Indian tribes. Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt.
E. Rector, Supt Ind Affrs
Hon Hudson, Chief Choctaw Nation.
Confederate States of America, War Department
Office of Indian Affairs, Richmond, Feby 7th 1862.
Major E. Rector, Superintendent of Ind. Affairs.
Fort Smith, Arkansas.