Maj. E. A. Hitchcock to J. C. Spencer,
8 MAR 1842:
Fort Smith, Arkansas
March 8th, 1842
Hon. J. C. Spencer
Secy of War
Sir
I have the honor to report that recently, while in the neighborhood
of the Blue and Boggy Rivers in the Chickasaw District of the
Choctaw Nation; I fell in company with Mr. R. J. Humphreys,
an intelligent white man who married a daughter of John McClish,
a Chickasaw half-blood now deceased. Mr. Humphreys has
in his possession a memorandum book kept by his father-in-law
during the emigration of himself and family in 1837 to this country,
exhibiting a number of particulars whose authenticity cannot be
doubted by any one who has access to the book.
Mr. McClish had the immediate charge of a portion of Chickasaws
who were conveyed from Memphis to Fort Coffee in the Steam Boat
Fox under the contract of Mr. Buckner. The book notes the
day of departure from Memphis 14th of Nov 1837 and the day of
arrival at Fort Coffee on Tuesday 21st and contains a list of
the names of the heads of families under the charge of McClish
- exhibiting also the number of wagons, oxen, and horses belonging
to each head of family.
The book notes also the whole number of passenges that were conveyed
in the boat at 250.
From the book referred to, there were 105 persons under the immediate
care of McClish with wagons, 28 oxen, and 22 horses. The
names of the heads of families as stated in the note book, (and
which also appears on a seperate paper purporting to be an A/C
by McClish), are Jno McClish, James Perry, Geo Colbert,
Mrs. Frazer, James N. McClish, R. J. Humphreys, and Mimy
Colbert.
Mr. Humphreys stated to me from recollection and with apparent reliance upon his memory, that in addition to these persons, there were on board the Fox other heads of families with wagons & C; as, McClure (two wagons), Bynum two, Kemp one, & Chegels one. He states that some of the wagons were ox wagons carrying but small loads - that he had not over one thousand pounds on his own wagon - He states that the whole of the baggage on board the boat was conveyed by the 16 wagons, (including the 10 noted by McClish), and a few packed horses - that perhaps half of the wagons were themselves conveyed by the boat, (the others going by land from Memphis as did the horses and oxen), and taking the whole of the baggage together, he is willing to be qualified to the opinion, that there was not exceeding twenty tons on board the Fox.
I next fell in with Mr. Guy residing on Boggy, who was
the Government Conductor of this party on board the boat and have
a remarkable statement from him to this effect; that on arriving
at Fort Coffee, the captain of the boat, on behalf of Mr. Buckner
desired him to certify to 125 tons of baggage - failing to obtain
that, he said he must have a certificate for 100 tons,
but the Conductor finally gave him by Estimate a certificate
for 75 tons, admitting to me that he believed it was more than
there was on board of the boat, but that he had no means of weighing
it. If the evidence in this matter is not sufficient for a Court
of Justice, it would be quite sufficent to satisfy any man of
common sense that Mr. Buckner was paid for the transportation
of twice, if not three times, as much baggage as there was on
board of the boat.
This view will fully bear out the very clear and judicious report
of the Comiss of Indian Affairs adverse to the claims of Mr.
Buckner for some $37000 which was nevertheless unfortunately
allowed him in 1840.
In connection with the subject I enclose herewith a statement
made to me in writing by another conductor of Chickasaws, Mr.
R. B. Crockett - who know resides at Webber's Falls near the
mouth of Canadian River.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt
E. A. Hitchcock
Maj.
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Chas. F. Eastman & James Colbert,
Jr. to Jacob Thompson, 19 JUL 1842:
Holly Springs Mississippi July 19. 1842
Hon Jacob Thompson
Honl Sir
We most Earnestly beg you to give us your ade in procurring from
the Govt. money for the purpose of mooving west this fall. The
Govt gave Col. George & Pitman Colbert thirty dollars
for each member of there familys & they mooved themselves.
The amt & have mentioned was furnished by the Govt but it
was the funds of the Nation (Chickasaw) we protest against an
emigrating agent. Most of the Chickasaws & those that are
connected with the Chickasaws, are as capable to moove as any
set of people & if this policy will or should be adopted by
your Govt it will meet the wishes of all those that desire to
moove this fall & of course it will be of grate savings to
our nation. You are personally acquainted with many of us &
you know that it will be mutch cheaper to the Chickasaws to pay
to each head that Emigrates thirty dollars. This course is desired
by the Nation West on the [__?__] of economy. We have no hesitation
in saying that not a Single family will emigrate under the direction
of an emigrating agent. From the hardness of times, many of us
will not be able to secure payment for our lands & others
will have to make grate sacrifices if your Govt should refuse
to relieve our wants. We most earnestly beg of you the goodness
to give our wants that attention it may require. We have wrote
to the Secretary War on this Subject also we have sent a petition
signed by many of the first men of Holly Springs urging &
praying that assistance should be tendered the few Chickasaws
that remain yet -- to moove. please let us here from you on this
Subject on the receipt of this letter. we cannot too strongly
urge & beg of you to give us your kindes attention to this
business. Direct your letter to Holly Springs.
We are Dear Sir
Your obt Srvt-s
Chas F. Eastman
L. M. James
James Colbert, Jur.
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