I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a letter, dated 17th. Inst. from Elias Rector, Esq., Supt. Indian Affairs ... together with copy of its enclosure, being one addressed to _Col. W. H. Emory_ by _M. Leeper_, Agent for the Indians within the "Leased District," having reference to the removal of the troops from Fort Cobb. The Government being bound by treaty obligations to protect the Indians from the incursions of all enemies, I would respectfully ask to be informed, if it is not its intention to keep in the country a sufficient force for the purpose. The Choctaw and Chickasaw delegation--composed of the principal men of those Nations--while recently in this City expressed great apprehensions of attack upon their people, by Citizens of Texas and Arkansas; and these delegations having assured me of their determination to maintain a neutral position in the anticipated difficulties throughout our Country, I would recommend that a depot for arms be established within the Southern Superintendency in order that the Indians there may be placed in the possession of the means to defend themselves against any attack....--Indian Office _Report Book_, no. 12, p. 152. [113] General Files, _Southern Superintendency, 1859-1862_, L632. [114] The letter can be found in manuscript form in Indian Office, _Letter Book_, no. 65, pp. 447-449, and in printed form in Commissioner of Indian Affairs, _Report_, 1861, p. 34. [115] _John Ross_, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation; _Cyrus Harris_, governor of the Chickasaw Nation; _M. Kennard_, principal chief of the Lower Creeks; _Echo Hadjo_ [Echo Harjo], principal chief of the Upper Creeks; _George Hudson_, principal chief of the Choctaw Nation; and the unnamed principal chief of the Seminoles west of Arkansas. [116] It would seem that the letter was not given to Coffin immediately but was held back on account of the insecurity of the mails [Dole to Creek and Seminole chiefs, November 16, 1861, Indian Office, _Letter Book_, no. 67, pp. 78-79]. [117] The delay was not entirely due to the military situation. Coffin went from Washington to his home in Indiana. He was there on the twentieth, at Annapolis, Parke County, when Dole wrote urging him to hasten on his way, I herewith enclose a slip taken from the National Intelligencer of this date, being an extract from the Austin [Texas] State Gazette of the 4th Instant, by which you will perceive that efforts are being made to tamper with the Indians within your Superintendency.