[undecipherable] General [Robertson?] has from his born, character, and the circumstances [undecipherable] occurred [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] for which he has petitioned Congress. The petition is referred to me — a[nd] the general principles of equity supp[ort the] claim more especially coming from a [s]uch character, yet it is extremely [dan]g[erous] to establish a general principle, by [endeavoring] to compensate such unauthoriz[ed] [serv]ices without fixing [a] dangerous prece[dent]. The object of my mentioning this [is] that in future, and until further arran[ge]ments, the President of the United Stat[es] will consent that General [Robertson] be [con]sidered as temporary agent for the [Chick][a]saws with an appointment at the r[ate of —] [you] [adminis]ter to him the Oath of Office [which] myself have taken — [I am] [undecipherable] that the [undecipherable] Congress [undecipherable] has [n]ot passed, and [therefore] this ap pointment can [undecipherable] have a tem porary [effect] — [undecipherable] in future distr[ibute] such things, and perform such duties [to] the [undecipherable] the Chactaws and Chickasaws, and others as you shall from time to time direct. The Oath of Office " I A.B. do swear that [I will] well and [faithfully] serve the United States in the Office of Temporary Agent to the Chickasaws and that I will not be concerned directly or indirectly in Indian Trade."