2+ pages, in ink, on 4-page stampless letter, docketed on p.4. Quarto.
Senator Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri writes to Indian Agent Benjamin O’Fallon, referring to attempts by the other Missouri senator, David Barton, to oust O’Fallon and his uncle, Superintendent of Indian Affairs (and onetime transcontinental explorer and governor of Missouri Territory) William Clark from their respective posts. The letter offers insight into the politics of the Indian “problem” as the various “civilized” tribes were being ousted from their traditional lands and moved westward across the Mississippi, and fur trappers and traders were invading the lands of the “wild” Indians. At the heart of the matter was the planned expedition up the Missouri by General Henry Atkinson and O’Fallon, to negotiate treaties of friendship and trade with tribes of the upper Missouri, including the Arikara, the Cheyenne, the Crow, the Mandan, the Ponca, and several bands of the Sioux. In part: “Dear Sir, We have had up the Indian Bill again, and have had another contest. Mr. Barton has failed in his attempt against yourself and unkle; both of you are retained in office, and two subagents , at $800, allowed to each. Mr. Barton spoke of your unkle’s office as one created for ‘a man,’ not for ‘the country.’ Now he voted for that office himself, and joined in recommending your unkle; he is, therefore, now inconsistent with himself, and reproaching me for doing what he himself did at the same time. Bad as this was, he behaved still worse on the question to advance a military post; he declared it to be unnecessary, laid all the blame upon hunters, trappers etc. & absolved the Indians and British from all censure. After this, when the yeas and nays were called, he voted for the expedition!... The Bill is not yet finally disposed of; but its features are fixed: to wit: $10,000 to hold treaties of trade & friendship with the Indians beyond the Mppi. Two sub-agents $800 each to be allowed you; traders to be located at fixed points; no further advance of the posts. – I fully counted upon carrying this last measure, until my colleague declared it to be unnecessary. ‘a house divided against itself cannot stand.’ Yr. friend, Thomas H. Benton.” Provenance: Descended in the Benjamin O’Fallon family.