General Arbuckle was in command of the military forces of the United States in that Western Country, and of course felt great responsibility in regard to maintaining peaceful relations with the Indians of that region. Having maturely reflected upon the communication of Mr. Reynolds, he returned the following answer:
“Head Quarters Western Department, Third Division,}
Fort Gibson, June 13th, 1838.}
“SIR: I have received your letter of the 12th instant, with the papers accompanying it, in which you request me to furnish such a force as I deem adequate, to enable you to turn over a number of negroes that were captured by the Creek warriors in Florida, to Nathaniel F. Collins, their attorney.
“I have given your application much reflection, and have determined to decline a compliance therewith for the following reasons:
“First. The difficulty and uncertainty of identifying the negroes actually captured by the Creek warriors, who are now with their former owners, and in company with a large number of other Indian negroes, and there being no individual of character present (as far as I am informed) who could with certainty designate them. Secondly. The Seminole chiefs positively declare that General Jessup promised that the negroes taken from them by the Creek warriors should be returned; and there is reason to believe that such a promise was made, other than the declaration of the chiefs.
“In addition to the above, it is proper that I should state, that the Seminole chiefs, at the council I held with them yesterday, voluntarily pledged themselves to give up the negroes in question, provided the President of the United States should, after being informed of the facts in the case, so decide; yet they state that many of the negroes have died, and that several are claimed to have been captured that were brought in by their owners when they surrendered.”
“I am, Sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
M. ARBUCKLE,
Brevet Brigadier General, Commanding.
J. G. REYNOLDS,
1st Lieut. U. S. M. C., and Disb’g Agent, Ind. Dept.”
Collins now gave up all as lost. He appears to have realized, that almost every officer of the army west of Florida, had conspired against this policy of enslaving the Exiles, while he himself seemed to entertain no doubt of the honor and rectitude of his own position; and in order to do him justice, and render our narrative brief as consistent, we here insert so much of his report to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, drawn up after his return to Alabama, as relates to his mission up to the time of leaving Fort Gibson, on his return. It is as follows:
“TUSKOGEE, ALABAMA, July 29, 1838”