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case, and has furnished a certificate (herewith) but has not any notes to enable him to give dates to more definitely

I knew the delegate [[underlined] Herthlessage [[/underlined]] to be a faithful and energetic man, but do not so distinctly remember the other one  ([[?]]).

The payrolls of [[underlined]] Le Grand Capers [[/underlined]] as Dirty. Agent will show what amt if any was paid to them, before they were killed, and the Indian statement in open cuncal of the sum promised I should conseder gud evidence

If these friendly Indians were killed by our own people (volunteers) as was suspected at the time, that fact must be well known to the Indians and would add to the force of the claim.

I presume that Col Cape or Maj M Sprager may have information in the case.

Mo respectfully
[[signed]] JC Casey [[signed]] Capt

[[line]]

Tampa Florida
May 16, 1855

Atkinson Esq
3d. Assd Ind Dept.   Sir,

I have the honor to transmit herewith a recpt: from an officer of the Qr Mast Dept (Capt. A Montgomery) in favor of Lieut. John Gibbon 4th Arty lately on duty with me in the 2nd Dept, for the sum of $65.87/100 being the amt. heretofore paid him by Maj. J. F. Reynolds A.A.A.M. at Norleans and disallowed as being chargeable to the Ind. funds.

-And I have to request that this transfer may close the account -

Resplly Yr
[[signed]]JCCasey [[/signed]]Capt in chg I.A. in Fl.

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Tampa Bay Florida
July 29th. 1855

Sir

Since my last report on Indian Affairs in Florida [January 20. 1855] the [[?]] then in preparation have been actively prosecuted, and were only suspended when the advance of the hot and rainy [[strikethrough]] weather [[/strikethrough]] season forced the troops to summer quarters.

The boat parties from Miami [on east coast] through the Everglades, finally got off on the 19th June, or, as soon as the rains had made the waters navigable for canoes. We have not yet heard the result of that expedition

From the reports of Col: Munroe Comdg. in Florida, you will have learned that a considerable district remains still unexplored. So far as examined the country South of the Caloosa Hatchee is reported to be nearly worthless.

Another season of active operations will be reguired to complete these examinations of, and the roads through, the Big Cypress; and to continue exploring the Everglades and the numerous islands on the Gulf coast, to whick the Indians resort.

The Indians did not attempt to molest my parties in the Big Cypress.  On several occasion they gave accurate information about the country in advance, and even pointed out the trail to a principal settlement which was then visited by the troops.

They have made repeated attempts to procure supplies of ammunition and of calicoes, but probably without any success.

I believe that two years ago it was the determination of these Indians to commence hostilities in case we should explore the Big Cypress, and but for the preparations made by the troops that resolution would probably have been carried out. The changes in these plans evinces a growing sense of these weakness and an increases dread of hostilities. Still that have not given any indication of a willingness to go West, and from these conduct, as well as there remarks to exploring parties they seemed to entertain a hope that after we had seen the character of the country occupied by them we might 

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