By this you will perceive the urgent necessity, that you should proceed at the earliest moment practicable to the vicinity of the duties in your charge, that from your personal knowledge of the views of the Government in relation to these Indians as well as by the instructions and communications in your possession, you may be able to thwart the endeavors of any and all who have or shall attempt to tamper with these tribes and array them in hostility to the Government. I deem it of the utmost importance that no time be lost in this matter, as delay may be disastrous to the public service.--Indian Office, _Letter Book_, no. 65, p. 473. By the nineteenth of June, Coffin had managed to reach Crawford Seminary, from which place he reported to Dole, We have at length reached the Indian Territory propper.... I find Mr. Elder the Agent absent. I learned on my way down here that he had gone to Fort Scott with the view of locating the Agency there for the present which I supposed when I wrote you from the Catholic Mission might be propper from its close proximity to Missouri but as Mr. Phelps district is opposit here and he a good Union man and has been Stumping the district and I learn that the Union cause is growing fast in that part of the State I think there is now at least no Sort of excuse for removing, the buildings here are ample for a large family, watter good....--General Files, _Southern Superintendency, 1859-1862_, C1229. The sequel showed that Agent Elder was right and Superintendent Coffin wrong about the security of the region. Coffin never reached Fort Smith at all and was soon compelled to vacate the Indian Territory. Indian Office, _Letter Book_, no. 66, which covers the period from June, 1861 to October, 1861, contains scarcely a letter to prove that the Indian Office was in communication with Indian Territory. Official connection with the country had been completely cut off. Military abandonment and dilatory officials had done their work. [118] Official instructions were issued to Coffin, then in Washington, on the ninth, and gave him permission to change his headquarters at discretion. The following is an excerpt of the instructions: You having been appointed by the President to be Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Southern Superintendency in place of _Elias Rector_, Esq. ... You will repair to Fort Smith, Arkansas, as early as practicable, for the purpose of relieving _Elias Rector_, Esq.