have been taken in relation to the lead mines,-the superintendence of which has been recently annexed to the Ordnance. Department. The report satisfactorily shows that this important department is gradually attaining a state of high perfection. The rigid inspection of the various ordnance depots, which has been lately made the duty of the Inspector of Artillery, will, it is believed, greatly contribute to improve this important branch of service.

The Reports of the Quartermaster-general, Paymastergeneral, Surgeon-general, and the Commissaries-general of Provisions and of Purchases, herewith transmitted (marked D, E, F, G, and H), exhibit a very satisfactory view of the condition of their respective departments. On the 4th of March, 1817, there remained unsettled, on the books of the second and third auditors, of the sums disbursed through this department, previous to that date,-$45,111,123 01, -which, on the 30th of September last, was reduced to $4,689,292 95. Since the former period there has been disbursed through this department, $40,887,772 83; of which, on the 30th of September last, there remained to be settled $6,290,110 60,-the greater part of which consists of accounts in the ordinary and due course of settlement. Of the sums advanced, in the year ending the 30th of September, 1821, to the officers under the control of this department, but $30,657 48 remained to be accounted for at the commencement of this quarter.

By reference to the statements in the reports of the subordinate branches of this department, already referred to, it will appear that there was drawn from the Treasury, in the first three quarters of this year, on account of the army, military academy, fortifications and ordnance, $1,930,464 59,— and that accounts amounting to $1,737,072 30 have been rendered for settlement, leaving but $193,392 29 to be rendered ;-all, or nearly all of which, it is believed, will be accounted for before the termination of the quarter; and

there is reasonable ground to believe that the disbursements of the year will be made without any loss to the Government. Nearly the whole amount which is outstanding, of the disbursements of the first three quarters of the year, has been prevented from being accounted for, either by the sickness of the disbursing agents, or the very great distance of the posts at which the disbursements have been made.

Great reductions have been made in the amount of expenditures in every branch of service, as will appear by reference to the reports already referred to, which contain comparative statements of the present and former rates of expenditure.

All which is respectfully submitted,

The PRESIDENT of the United States.

JOHN C. CALHOUN,

REPORT

On the Execution of the Treaty with the Choctaws, of the 18th of October, 1820, communicated to the House of Representatives, February 6th, 1823.

DEPARTMENT OF WAR, February 4th, 1827.

The Secretary of War, to whom was referred the resolution of Representatives of the 28th ultimo, requesting the President of the United States "to inform this House if the treaty concluded with the Choctaw nation of Indians on the 18th day of October, 1820, has been executed, so far as respects the cession of certain lands to said nation west of the Mississippi River, and if possession has been given of the lands ceded to them; if not, that he assign the reasons which prevented the immediate execution of the stipulations of said treaty; and whether the difficulties have diminished or increased by the delay in its execution;" has the honor to state that, soon after the ratification of the treaty referred to, the necessary measures were adopted by this Department for the execution of the stipulations in the foregoing resolution of the House of Representatives, and in pursuance of which the boundary line of the land ceded to the Choctaws west of the Mississippi was ascertained and marked by the commissioner appointed for that purpose; a copy of which report is herewith inclosed. And considerable efforts were made, through a special agent appointed for the purpose, in virtue of a stipulation in said treaty, upon the recommendations of Generals Jackson and Hinds, the commissioners who negotiated it, to induce the Choctaws to remove and settle there (a copy of the instructions to this agent are inclosed), but without success, as will be seen by the accompanying extracts of letters from the special agent (here referred to), and the agent to the Choctaw nation, to this Department on

the subject. These extracts will also explain the causes of the failure, the principal one of which, it is believed, is to be found in the number of white settlements in the country ceded to the Choctaws. The Department has no information which will enable it to say whether the difficulties have diminished or increased by the delay in the execution of the treaty.

The President of the United States.

JOHN C. CALHOUN,

DEPARTMENT OF WAR, March 27th, 1821.

SIR,-The sum of $65,000 was appropriated by Congress to carry into effect the treaty concluded with the Choctaw nation on the 18th of October last, a copy of which is herewith inclosed.

You are charged with the superintendence of the execution of that part of the treaty which provides for the emigration of the Choctaws to the country which has been ceded to them beyond the Mississippi, which it is desirable should be done upon the most economical terms, and with as little delay as possible.

The Superintendent of Indian Trade will be instructed to forward to Natchez, as soon as practicable, subject to your order, 500 blankets, 500 kettles, 500 rifle guns, with bullet moulds and wipers for each, 1,000 pounds rifle powder, and a proportionate quantity of lead. Should a greater number of these articles, in your opinion, be required, you will immediately inform this Department, and state the probable number that will be required: it will be forwarded without delay.

The quantity of corn which may be necessary to supply the number of Indians that may be disposed to emigrate on

their journey, you will purchase on the best terms you can; a further supply, if it should be required, will be furnished after their arrival in their new country, agreeably to the treaty, by Captain George Gray, the Indian agent on Red River, who is instructed to perform the duties of agent to them.

In order that Captain Gray may be prepared to meet the Indians, and make the necessary provision for them, you will correspond with him, and advise him of the probable time of their arrival, and of their number.

Mr. Folsom, who was recommended by Generals Jackson and Hinds as a suitable person for the purpose, has been appointed agent (the appointment is herewith inclosed, to be forwarded to him), under your direction, to collect all the Choctaws who are desirous of removing beyond the Mississippi, and to conduct them thither.

Mr. Folsom will correspond with you relative to his duty, and report to you, from time to time, the number of the Indians who declare their intention to emigrate, distinguishing the number of men, women, and children; from which you will regularly register them in a book to be kept for that purpose at the agency, until the 22d day of December next, being one year from the ratification of the treaty. All who intend to emigrate, and wish to avail themselves of the provisions of the treaty, must do so before the period just mentioned, as after that time the provision for emigrants made by the treaty will cease, and no corn or other articles will be issued by the United States.

When any number of Indians are collected, and ready to start on their journey, the agent will inform you of the fact, and make a return to you of the precise number, particularly distinguishing the number of warriors; upon which returns, duly certified by him, you will issue a sufficient quantity of corn to each family or individual, for their support on the way. The articles to be given to the warriors will not be

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