Messages and Letters of William Henry Harrison/Secretary of War to Harrison Setting forth regulations in regard to the Indian policy
Sec. of War to Harrison
Sir: It is the ardent wish of the President of the United States, as well from a principle of humanity, as from duty and sound policy, that all prudent means in our power should be unremittingly pursued for carrying into effect the benevolent views of congress relative to the Indian nations within the jurisdiction of the United States. The provisions made by congress, under the heads of intercourse with the Indian nations, and for establishing trading houses among them etc. have for their object, not only the cultivation and establishment of harmony and friendship between the United States and the different nations of Indians, but the introduction of civilization, by encouraging and gradually introducing the arts of husbandry and domestic manufactures among them. The President is more induced to continue to raise all the means in his power for effecting the foregoing object from the happy effects already produced in several of the Indian nations, by the zeal and industry of the agents among them.
With a view of giving every assistance in the power of the executive, to the measures contemplated, relating to the Indians generally, the President has considered it necessary to make the following regulations: That the Governors of the North Western, Indiana, and Mississippi territories, in their capacities as agents for Indian affairs, will in future consider themselves as having the superintendence of all business relating to the Indians in their respective territories, and will from time to time call upon such sub-agents as may be appointed by the President of the United States to reside among the Indian nations within their respective territories, for such information as may be necessary for ascertaining any facts or circumstances relating to the said Indians, or the conduct of any such sub-agents, and for any other information which may be useful and proper; and to give all such sub-agents such instructions and advice from time to time, as may be found necessary and not incompatible with the laws, or instructions given by the immediate direction of the President of the United States.
The sub-agents and agents of the territories, will, in future, correspond with the respective governors of the territories in which they may be placed, and communicate generally with the department of war through that channel, and consider themselves under the general direction of the governors respectively. And temporary or sub-agents, or agents of factories, will regularly make report, once, at least, in every three months to the governor and to the secretary of war, of all circumstances relating to the agencies, with a correct statement of all expenses incurred under their direction, which report should be made from a journal, regularly and correctly kept by the sub-agents, of all accounts worth noticing, relating to disputes, complaints, misfortunes, etc. including likewise, whatever may relate to the progi-ess of civilization among the Indians, and such remarks as their knowledge may, from time to time, enable them to make, relating to the natural history of the country, the population and the particular manners of the inhabitants, and likewise of the increase or decrease of population.
The agents of factories will make correct returns of the state of the factory, of the sales and receipts, etc. to the governor of the territory in which they shall respectively reside, once in three months, noticing all circumstances proper to communicate relating to the kind and quantities of goods wanted, from time to time, and vill transmit a duplicate thereof to the secretary of war. Colonel [Benjamin] Hawkins and the agents of the factories at Tellico in Tennessee, and in Georgia, will communicate immediately with the secretary of war as usual.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of esteem, your humble servant.