James A. Sessions, 1838

NATIONAL ARCHIVES MICROFILM M234, ROLL 290, FRAME 299
LETTERS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS 1824 - 1881

On board the schooner Rodney
New Freedom, Mi 11 Nov 1838

Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith the muster rolls of Creek and Appalachicola Indians on board the Steam Boat Rodney on their way to Arkansas. We left Pensacola on the 29th Oct and arrived New Orleans on the 2d Novb. At New Orleans we took on board the Rodney the Indians shipped per the Schooner Octavia and Vesper and next morning proceeded on our voyage and reached Natchez on the 5th. We remained at Natchez one day in order to procure supplies and to afford the Indians to purchase clothing which they stood very much in need of. For those who had not the means to purchase for themselves, I supplied such articles as were absolutely necessary for their comfort on the voyage.

They have suffered very much from sickness. Six have died since we left Chattahoochee and now more than twenty are upon the sick list. The weather has been unusually cold for the season, which no doubt, has increased the number of invalids.

The water in the Mississippi is very low. We lay two days upon a sand bar about 25 miles above Vicksburg. If the Arkansas River continues as low as it is reported to be at present, I will disembark the Indians at the first convenient point where transportation can be procured and proceed to land to Fort Gibson.

I have employed George R. Beard as an assistant at four dollars a day, James A. Sessions as interpreter at two 50/100 dollars per day and George H. Mitchell to take charge the Indians on board the Schooner Octavia at four dollars per day. I, also, employed at Pensacola, Dr. B. Kittridge (sp?) as physician at five dollars per day. Mr. Mitchell was discharged upon arrival at New Orleans. These appointments, I trust, will meet with your approbation.

I have the honor to be
very respectfully
your obt. servant
Danl. Boyd

C.A. Harris
Comm. of Indian Affairs
Washington City, D.C.