In the Indian Territory there were four tribes of Indians--Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Creeks. Under the fostering care of their governments slavery had become so firmly established that slaveholders thought them worthy of political fellowship, and articles in favor of their admission began to appear in the southern press. "The progress of civilization," said the New Orleans "Picayune," "in several of the Indian tribes west of the States will soon bring up a new question for the decision of Congress.... It cannot fail to give interest to this question that each of the Indian tribes has adopted the social institutions of the South." To concentrate and give direction to such efforts, a secret organization was formed to encourage Southern emigration, and to discourage and prevent the entrance into the Territory of all who were hostile to slaveholding institutions. It was hoped thus to guard against adverse fortune which had defeated their purposes and plans for Kansas.... [19] With reference to the proposed organization the subjoined documents are of interest: C. STREET, July 2. MR. MIX, Dear Sir, Please have the western boundary of Mis. laid down on this map, and the _outline_ of the Pawnee, Kanzas & Osage purchases, and the reservations, as they now stand within that _outline_. You need not show each purchase, but the _outline_ of the whole. Yours truly THOMAS H. BENTON. Letter of July 2, 1853, Indian Office _Miscellaneous Files, 1851-1854_. WASHINGTON CITY, August 5th, 1854. Hon. G. W. MANYPENNY Esq., Com Indian Department, Washington City. Dear Sir, Many people of Ohio, as well as of the states west of it, have for a long time been most anxious to learn through your Department, the nature of the several treaties made by yourself in behalf of the Government, with the several tribes of Indians occupying the Territories of Nebraska & Kansas: particularly as to the _reservation_ of _land_ made by such Tribes, _its extent_, _where_, _when_, & how to be _located_, & _within what time_,--and also what lands in both of said Territories by virtue of said treaties _are now subject to location_? I regret to inform you that much censure has attached to your Department, in consequence of the delay which has attended the promulgation of the above information, but which from my long knowledge of you personally, and of the very prompt manner in which you have invariably discharged your public duties, I believe to be most unjust. I seek the above information, not only for myself (contemplating a removal to Kansas) but also in behalf of many persons in the western states, who have solicited my intervention in that matter on my visit to this City. Very respectfully your friend S. W. WHITE Indian Office _Miscellaneous Files, 1851-1854_.