CHICKASAW LETTERS -- 1843


A. M. M. Upshaw to Col. Daniel Saffarrans, 12 JAN 1843:

Fort Towson

Jany 12th 1843

My Dr Sir

I arrived at this place night before last from Washita and shall returne on Tomorrow. I found every thing here going on as usual. Col. Penn tells me he is doing very well, the Emigrants have all arivied, the business you wished me to instruct Col. Penn about, shall be done with pleasure, by this mail a Petition from the head men and Chief of the Chickasaws for me to be retained as their Agent will be sent to the Secretary of War, it was done in Council. I write by this mail to my friend Brown and sent him the original letter that the Citizens of Doaksville wrote to me at the time I was leaving this place, which you will please call and see Mr. A.V. Brown, and you and him can call and see the Honl Secty of War and the President also, it will be a great loss to me to be superseded at this time of the year. I would loose all of my improvements. And the balance of the year, you observed that the Secty of War said that there were some complaints against me. In justice to my self I think he aught to have informed me of them so that I could have corrected them, but I would like to see the Officer that no one complains of, there is one thing that the Government nor the Indians have ever lost one cent by me nor never will. What money that has not been paid out I have got all safe and sound in Silver. I send on to you an account against the United States which I paid Wm. Jims for rent of a house to live in, the Government having failed to have one until the 1st of July last. I wish you would present it and get the money.

I have written to my son that if I should not be reappointed and he should not get in at West Point, that he must come home with you, that you would make the arrangements for him.

Since commencing this letter I have received one from Col. A.H. Sevier informing me that he would attend to my case. That he would see the President and the Sectry of War, and that I might rest easy. I wish you would see him and let him know that all of the Chiefs have requested for me to be returned as their Agent.

I depend greatly upon you, to manage things, if I was there in person. I would not trouble my friends so much, but I know that you can do and will do all.

I send you a copy of the Petition. I will write you again.

Your friend

A. M. M. Upshaw

Col.

D. Saffarrans


N.B.

There are several family that emigrated themselves to this Nation. I know personly a good many. James McCoy, Danl. Harris, Widow Colbert, Widow James, George Warters, Wellington, and several others. The above are just the heads of family. You had better see what can be done for them, they have plagued me enough. I have written three or four times about them and no answer.


Tho. H. (?) to T. Hartley Crawford, 22 May 1843:

General Land Office

May 22d 1843

Sir,

I have received a letter of the 9th Inst. from the Register and Receiver at Pontotoc Misspi designating the tracts selected by them for certain individuals named in your letter to me of the 7th Ult. viz.

1st For Charles Johnston Sect 17. T10 R 5E.

2d David Colbert Sect 34. T11 R 6W.

3d Sucky Perry Sect 4. T10 R 6W.

4th Nancy Perry Sect 5. T10 R 6W.

A copy of the letter from the Officers aforementioned, I send herewith.

It may be proper to remark that the 1st and 2d tracts above designated were formerly covered by Indian locations refered to in your letter of the 17th Decr last, in which it is requested that these and other lands alluded to by you "be withheld from sale until you, (this office) receive information from me saying that the proclaimations from the respective reservees had relinquished a claim thereto."

Very respectfully

Your obt servant

Tho H (?)

Commissioner

T. Hartley Crawford Esqr

Comm. of Ind. Affs


Chickasaw Chiefs to T. Hartley Crawford, 20 JUL 1843:

Chickasaw District July 20th 1843

Hon. T. Hartley Crawford

Commisr Indian Affairs

At a council of Commissioners Held this day a case has been laid before us and by Barnard McLaughlin certificate we have been told and know to our knowledge that the Said certificate is correct and true by the aforesaid Certificate we learn that Said McLaughlin was made administrator for Noth-li-cha Roll No.24 Seely District No 42 Reserve that he the administrator acting Sold two Sections of land to wit, Section 14 Township 2 Range 1 East, Section 16 Township 2 Range 1 East to Joseph and John McDonald for the amount of three thousand dollars for the two Section. But it appears after the death of Noth-le-cha and his wife they the children were made orphans and that Col. Benj. Reynolds the former agent of the Chickasaws, reported to the Department as orphan money but it appears by the record Book that the money was deposited in the hand of Col. B. Reynolds to the amount $2000, and the land Sold for only $1000 each making $2000. And now the object of this letter is to know of you if it was placed in Orphan funds or not if Deposited in the hand of Col. B. Reynolds it was done without the consent of the administrator and that now the Orphan Children are very much in need of the money and now we wish to know of you and you will write to us an answer so soon as you receive this letter what has become of the money.

We are your friends and Brothers

Commissioners

Ish-ta-ho-to-pa King his X mark

Isaac Albertson his X mark

Slone Love

James Wolf

James Gamble

Joseph Colbert his X mark

Sir

All letters to the Chiefs and commissioners directed to Fort Washitha in Chickasaw District to the care of the Quarter Master at that Post as there is no Post Office at the Post.


Certificate of Barnard McLaughlin, 20 JUL 1843:

Chickasaw District July 20th 1843

I do hereby declare that I Barnard McLaughlin was made administrator to the estate of Noth-li-cha decesed by his will I was authorized to Sell the land which land I sold for the amount of $3000, and I was told at the time by Col. B. Reynolds that it was an Orphans Case he would report to the Department to find out whether it would be placed with the Orphan fund or be paid to the claimant. But it is not known how or what became of the money. It has been found here on the record Book as deposited in the hands of Col. B. Reynolds to the amount of $2000.

Barnard McLaughlin

Test.

James Gambel

Clerk Council


Chickasaw Emigrants to Secretary of War, 22 NOV 1843:

Chickasaw Nation West

November 22nd 1843

To the Honorable _____________

Secretary of War

We the undersigned, late Chickasaw Emigrants, are very desirous of having the period for issuing rations extended from one year to nineteen months.

We would respectfully urge as a reason that to all former emigrants, the period for issuing rations has been extended to nineteen months, and the crops in this country having failed during the last summer, so that we shall be subjected to extraordinary expenses & those who are poor to want and suffering if this indulgence is not granted.

We would earnestly request that the present contractor for subsisting Chickasaws (G. W. Knox) be directed to continue furnishing rations for the period of seven months in addition to the present contract.

Jas Colbert Jr

Samuel Colbert

Susan Colbert

Molcy Colbert

Delilah Moore

Charles F. Eastman

Untomba

Joseph G. Mitchell

Sally Colbert

Jas H. Willis

S. M. Gaines


Lovard M. James to Jacob Thompson, 31 DEC 1843:

Fort Towson December 31 -43

Hon Jacob Thompson

Dr Sir

Permit me My Dr Sir to ask the favour of to send me the amt allowed by the (Genl Govt) to each Chickasaw Emigrant, a part of the Emigration aluded to Emigrated in the year 1842 & a part in 43. I wish to know what amt they are allowd, say from Holly Springs to the Chickasaw District & what is allowd pr day for each Horse, the no of days allowd to make the trip, in as I am deeply interested in this Matter, it would place me under lasting obligation to you for your attention to the above. All of the Emigrants mooved themselves to this Country, tho it appears that Danl Saffrens is the Emigrating Agent. you recollect in 42 you recd a letter from Jas Colbert, myself & C. F. Eastman protesting against an Emigrating Agent, if Mr. Saffrins has the appointment, he has never acted as one, nor is he known in that Capassity to any one of the Emigrants. all of the Emigrants have checks on the Govmt in favour of Danl Saffrens for the Amt that may be due them for Emigrating themselves. one settlement has been made by one of the Emigrants, viz. Mr. Eastman he recd from the Honor [House?] $30. for each person in his family, this was paid of in goods & Mr. Danl Saffrens has no eastiments ordor on the Govt., as well as all the balance. you know see the situation that we are placed in & any information you may give will be tankfuly recd. I have every reason to believe that the Emigrants are entitled to pay for each horse & ox & that they are entitled to $38 or 40 for each head. however all of this you will know. there is a fine opening in this country in buying up the Chocktaw orphans claims. if you can put me on the tract I can buy them & they can be bot for goods at a mear song. please let me hear from you.

I am very

Respectfully

Your obt Srvt

Lovard M. James

PS

If there is any opening for me in the Chocktaw Emigration please let me know.

L. M. James


Return to Home Page