Viewing page 52 of 105

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Your very obedient servant
           (signed) John C. Casey
                    Capt. U.S.A.
P.S. Many details I leave for future discussion.
Washington city June 25th 1853


              Lebanon Pa July 20/53
Aty. Genl. USA
           Ask that Comd. officer in Florida may be notified of my orders & (taking charge of arrival of Indians &)

James McKay Esq
Ind Trader Florida
              Sir, You will please to stop all trade, or intercourse, with the Fla. Indians, on receipt hereof, if you have not already done so
    No one will be permitted to trade with them.
           Very respectfully
           Your Obedient Servant
           John C. Casey
           In chrg Fla Ind
           July 20 1853


          Lebanon Pa  July 23 1853
Sir,
   As I propose to invite a few of the Western Seminoles to visit Fla., I have to request that the sanction of the Ind. Bureau, Dept. Int., and an order to the subagent of the Seminoles West may be procured to enable one of my adjutants to get them. 

must respectfully
Your obedient servant
JCCasey Capt & Spc agt

Hon Jeff Davis 
Secty. War
PS I have already designated the Indians wanted to Lts. Gibbon & Wallbridge.

[[end page]]
[[start page]]

Philadelphia Pa. 
August 8. 1853

Hon. J.Davis Sec War

Sir,
    I have to request that the sum of [[underline]] Five Thousand Dollars, [[/underline]] of the appropriation for removing the Florida Indians, may be remitted to Lt. T.K. Walbridge at Ft. Myers Florida.

Very respectfully
Your obedt servt
JC Casey Capt USA

Philadelphia Pa. Aug 9. 1853

Hon. J.Davis Sec War

Sir, I respectfully submit for your decision, the justice of allowing me, while on special duty with the Florida Indians, the difference between my pay proper and the usual pay of a Commissioner negotiating with Indians.
   Should the Law be considered as prohibiting such allowances to an army officer, without a special act granting it, then I would ask that I may be allowed a [[underline]] per diem [[/underline]] for my personal expenses to be paid out of the funds appropriated for the expenses of removing the Florida Indians. Without pointing to the numerous precedents in the Ind Dept and the case of officers of the Dep Int in the survey of the Eastern & Mexican boundaries, I present my case in it own merits. 
   I am ready to do what I did before on this duty - make all possible exertions without regarding [[?]] of health or risk of life, but while so engaged must claim that my expenses be paid
   My state of health would excuse me from all duty & my service would entitle me to avail myself of this indulgence, and the duty in question is in no manner belonging to my profession.
   While submitting my own claim, I would recommend that the officer placed on this duty with me be allowed a [[underline]] per diem of one dollar [[/underline]] while stationed in the Indian country and of [[underline]] one half only [[/underline]] while travelling to or form Ark. with Indians.
I have the hon. & JC Casey

PS. I would suggest a [[underline]] per diem [[/underline]] of $3 as a reasonable allowance for personal expenses in my own case, should the pay of a Com be considered illegal.