I have been informed today that persons purporting to act in the capacity of Commissioners are now visiting the Indian nations on our frontier--preparatory to forming an alliance with them to furnish them with arms and munitions of war, in violation of subsisting treaties and the laws of the United States. Occupying the position I do as a Civil officer of the Government in discharge of my duty as well as instructions, It is my duty to make inquiry and report such a state of facts as may exist in relation to the same. And having no authentic information in relation to this matter other than public rumor, I have believed it my duty to address you knowing that if such projects are in embryo or consummation that they cannot escape your vigilance; and that from you I shall be informed of the same, that, they may be communicated from a reliable official source to the authorities at Washington for their action.--JOHN B. OGDEN, United States commissioner, to John Ross, dated Van Buren, February 15, 1861 [Indian Office, General Files, _Cherokee, 1859-1865_, O32]. I have received your communication of the 15th inst.--stating that you have been informed that persons purporting to act in the capacity of commissioners are now visiting the Indian Nations on the frontier preparatory to forming an alliance.... It is currently rumored in the Country that Mr. R. J. Cowart--the U. S. Agent--is officially advocating the secession policy of the Southern States and that he is endeavoring to influence the Cherokees to take sides and act in concert with the seceded States--At the same time uttering words of denunciation against all the distinguished Patriots who are exerting their efforts, to devise measures of reconciliation in Congress as well as those in the Peace Convention at Washington for the Preservation of the Union. Mr. Cowart brought out with him from the State of Georgia a man named--Solomon--who is a notorious drunken brawling disunionist. He is strolling about Tahlequah under the permission of the socalled "U. S. Agent"--and is creating strife & getting into difficulties with citizens of the Nation--a perfect nuisance to the peace and good order of society. The conduct and general deportment of this man, also of the Agent being in direct violation of the laws and Treaties of the United States--they should be removed out of the Cherokee Country. For further information as to such facts relating to the subjects of your enquiry, I have to refer you at present to Mr. W. P. Ross for what he may be in possession of....--JOHN ROSS to John B. Ogden, February 28, 1861 [Indian Office, General Files, _Cherokee, 1859-1865_, O32]. [129] _Official Records_, fourth ser., vol. i, 322. [130] Tenney, W. J. _Military and Naval History of the Rebellion in the United States_, 134.