"SIR: Your letter, dated twenty-seventh ultimo, enclosing copies of two communications received at your office from Mr. N. F. Collins, the Creek attorney, came to hand on the tenth instant. I was surprised at being called upon to answer for 'my conduct' toward Mr. Collins, as also the Department for disregarding its orders. Indeed, sir, I have been, in my own estimation, too faithful a servant in the special department in which it was the pleasure of General Jessup to assign, and you to continue, me, to make a defense to the allegations advanced by Collins. At the time of Mr. Collins's departure from this city, he did not evince that virulence of feeling that he has thought proper to express in his letter; on the contrary, he was then apparently under the full conviction that I had done all that was possible to aid him, and carry out the orders received in relation to the negroes in question. What object could I possibly have in wishing clandestinely, and in the very face of orders, to send those negroes to Arkansas? Had Mr. Collins been here, sir, so far as I was concerned, he should have had the negroes upon _identity_. I enclose papers, sir, from various gentlemen to disprove the assertion of Mr. Collins, 'that the negroes were in my possession during the time he was here;' on the contrary, they did not come into my hands until some time after his departure. It is true, I have frequently referred to Major Clark for advice in matters relative to my official situation. It was on account of the high regard I have of his character as a gentleman, and an officer of long standing and experience, and whose integrity stands preeminently and deservedly high.
"I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully,
Com. Ind. Affairs, Washington City, D. C."
We have too little space in this work to copy official papers to any considerable extent. Those which accompanied Lieutenant Reynolds's reply were--
First. A full statement of facts from Sheriff Buisson, showing that the thirty-one prisoners, who had been in his charge, were not turned over to Major Clark until the twenty-eighth of June, 1838.
Second. A full statement of facts by George Whitman, owner of the steamboat, who contracted to carry the prisoners West.