This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

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quoted is from the letter books of WCC Claiborne; the second is from JFH Claiborne?s major work.
New Orleans, August 4, 1812
Sir:
Having received information that the Chactaws of the lower Towns are committing depredations in the settlements of Pearl, Leaf and Checkasaw-hey e Rivers, & had discovered a hostile disposition towards the United States, I have addressed to them a "Talk, ? Herein enclosed, & which I commit to your care. - I request you therefore to proceed without delay to the Nation, and after assembling the Chiefs and Head men, you will deliver and explain my address,-and to which you will add such observations of you own, as you may think best calculated to incline them to Peace and friendship.-Should you meet with Mr. Silas Dinsmour the agent of the U.S., for the Choctaws, or with Mr. Pitchylynnm or any other person in the nation in the employ of the U.S., you will explain to them the object of you visit, & request their Co-operation.-
During your stay you will make inquiries and transmit me on your return, information on the following points: Is'. Whether the Creeks and Choctaws have been furnished with Military supplies At Pensacola and Mobile- & if so, by whom ? to what amount and with what views.
2d. The number of warriors in the Choctaw Nation, and what portion of them are supposed to be under Spanish or British influence?
3n?. The name of the Town where the Spanirds & English have the most partisans, and the Character of the Principal Chiefs and of these towns.
4th. Whether the Prophet, had sent talks Among the Chactaws, & whether his Brother Ticumsey had visited them.-
You will be pleased to keep an account of your expenses, which together with such reasonable Compensation for your services, as the Legislature of Louisiana shall think proper to prescribe, shall be allowed you.-xl
The next letter is the JFH Claiborne version. Its date of June 4 contrasts to the first but is not an error on the part of this study; it appears as such in JFH Claiborne?s writing.
New Orleans, June 4, 1812
Sir:
Having received information that the Choctaws of the lower towns are committing depredations in the settlements of Pearl, Leaf and Chica awha rivers, and are disclosing a hostile disposition towards the United States, I have addressed to them a "Talk, ? which I herewith commit to your care. I request you to proceed without delay to the Nation, and after assembling the Chiefs and Head men, you will deliver and explain my address, adding such observations and urging such means as your judgment and experience may suggest. During your stay you will make inquiries on the following points: 1st. Whether the Creeks and Choctaws have been furnished with military supplies? 2nd. The number of warriors in the Choctaw Nation, and what portion of them are supposed to be under Spanish of British influence? 3rd. The name of the towns
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