I decline to place him in custody as a spy or to order a Miltary Court to try him. I cannot order his discharge or the return of the drafts and money taken from him, because the Military power is silent, within the limits of Arkansas, in the presence of the Court power, as to reports that may be asserted and remedies that may be pursued, in the Courts. If I had the power, I should make the order. If you continue to hold the property in question, or to detain the party, you will please consider that you do it on your own authority. I am very respectfully yours, ALBERT PIKE, Brig. Genl. Commr. Ind. Dept. MOUTH OF CANADIAN, 23d Febr. 1862. MAJOR: I reached this place last night, and leave this morning. The teams furnished me at Fort Smith are hardly able to go further, and our progress must be slow. I shall hardly reach Spaniard's Creek before tomorrow night, and wish you to meet me there. I did think of sending the money, at least the specie, direct from this point to North Fork, but have determined to keep it with me until I meet you. If you will meet me at Spaniard's Creek, we can then determine what disposition to make of it. Gen. Price is at Walnut Grove, eight miles south of Fayetteville; will take position near Cane Hill, and means to attack as soon as he gets 5,000. men in addition to his present force. McCulloch is on the telegraph road, to his right. _They are not acting in harmony_, Col. Gatewood says. Our forces in Kentucky and Tennesse have had to fall back before 70,000 of the enemy. The new position, it is expected, will be at Stevenson and Charleston road. When the enemy took Fort Donelson, both Bowling Green and Columbus became of value to us. Each position was carried. But we have only taken a new position, losing no battle. The fort surrendered. Columbus is or will be evacuated and Nashville surrendered. There are no means of crossing the Arkansas here, except one boat, that must have a bottom put in it. I must bring at least part of the Choctaws to Gibson, to cross the river and move towards Cane Hill, and in order to be able to do it as soon as possible I wish to turn over the money to you. Truly yours ALBERT PIKE Major Elias Rector. OFFICE SUPT IND. AFF'RS, Fort Smith, Feb'y 28th, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 23d ultimo notifying me that the sum of $3,000--had been placed to my credit in the Treasury on Requisition No. 23 from the War Department subject to my Draft and request my official signature which is hereto affixed. Very Respectfully your Ob't Serv't. E. RECTOR, Sup't Ind. Aff'rs. E. C. Elmore Esq., Treasurer of the Confederate States Richmond, Va. OFFICE SUP'T IND. AFFAIRS, Fort Smith, Feb'y 28th, 1862.