[Footnote 138:  Indian Office Report Book no. 12, 225.]

[Footnote 139:  Dole to Hunter, November 16, 1861, ibid., Letter Book, no. 67, pp. 80-82.]

[Footnote 140:  On conditions in Colorado Territory, the following are enlightening:  ibid., Consolidated Files, C 195 of 1861; C 1213 of 1861; C 1270 of 1861; C 1369 of 1861; V 43 of 1861; Official Records, vol. iv, 73.]

and Arizona.  Their own domestic affairs had now reached a supremely critical stage.[141] It was high time

[Footnote 141:  In addition to what may be obtained on the subject from the first volume of this work, two letters of slightly later date furnish particulars, as do also the records of a council held by Agent Cuther with certain chiefs at Leroy.

(a).  LAWRENCE, KANSAS, Dec. 14th, 1861.

HON.W.P.  DOLE, Commissioner of Ind.  Affairs

Dear Sir, It is with reluctance that I again intrude on your valuable time.  But I am induced to do so by the conviction that the subject of our Indian relations is really a matter of serious concern:  as involving the justice and honor of our own Government, and the deepest interests—­the very existence, indeed—­of a helpless and dependent people.  And knowing that it is your wish to be furnished with every item of information which may, in any way, throw light on the subject, I venture to trouble you with another letter.

Mico Hat-ki, the Creek man referred to in my letter of Oct. 31st has been back to the Creek Nation, and returned about the middle of last month.  He was accompanied, to this place, by one of his former companions, but had left some of their present company at LeRoy.  They were expecting to have a meeting with some of the Indians, at LeRoy, to consult about the proper course to be pursued, in order to protect the loyal and peaceable Indians, from the hostility of the disaffected, who have become troublesome and menacing in their bearing.

With this man and his companion, I had considerable conversation, and find that the Secessionists and disaffected Half-breeds are carrying things with a high hand.  While the loyal Indians are not in a condition to resist them, by reason of the proximity of an overwhelming rebel force.

From them (repeating their former statements, regarding the defection of certain parties, and the loyalty of others, with the addition of some further particulars) I learn the following facts:  Viz.  That M Kennard, the Principal Chief of the Lower Creeks, most of the McIntoshes, George Stidham, and others have joined the rebels, and organized a military force in their interest; for the purpose of intimidating and harrassing the loyal Indians.  They name some of the officers, but are not sufficiently conversant with military terms to distinguish the different grades, with much exactness.  Unee McIntosh, however, is the highest in rank, (a Colonel I presume) and Sam Cho-co-ti, George Stidham, Chilly McIntosh, are all officers in the Lower Creek rebel force.