| Summary: | In the letter Gaines expresses concerns he and Colonel William Barnett have setting the boundary lines between the United States and Indian land, as outlined in the Treaty of Fort Jackson: "Colonel Barnett and myself had set out with a view to correct the unfinished part of the lines west of this river and then to join you. But upon a careful examination of the law for carrying into effect the Treaty of Fort Jackson, I entertained doubts as to the propriety of our entering upon the execution of that part of the line bordering on the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations-and meeting with Col. Hawkins, who has since the recovery of his health resumed his duties as commissioner, we formed a board and after mature deliberation came to the determination expressed in the enclosed paper, which, with the concurrence of the board I send to you, by express, for your information." He mentions a specific instance of resistance from the Indians in the adjoining territory: "I find the Indians are still giving some evidences of an unfriendly temper: two men were killed, some days ago, on the road near Fort Claiborne, and several horses and negroes taken. This act will doubtless be disavowed by the nation, and was probably committed by a remnant of the Red Sticks below the line, but it clearly points out the propriety of precautionary measures on our part." In a note at the end of the letter, Gaines and William Barnett ask Coffee, who is Surveyor General of the northern section of the Mississippi Territory, to join them as soon as possible. A transcription is included.
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