New York May [undecipherable] Extract of a Letter You are aware that the Governors of [the] [N]orth [W]estern Territory and of the Mississip[p]i Territory [are] [app]ointed Superintendants of Indian affairs, the manag[e= ment] of those Affairs under the direction of the Secretary of [War tha]t appertains to them, the Military in this Respect are on[ly] to be Auxiliary to their plans and measures, In saying this, it must not be understood that they are to direct [their] [com]munications and Operations, but [undecipherable] of all Negotiations & commu[nications] [undecipherable] and the Government they [undecipherable] supplies are to be [fur=] [nished, and] other Accommodations [undecipherable] Military in Regards to all such [undecipherable] as far as their Cooperation may [aid the Superin]tendants, avoiding [undecipherable] with them or otherwise than [undecipherable] views. this will exempt the [undecipherable] Responsibility which had better rest [else]where [undecipherable] [undecipherable] it will [esta]blish a regular and Uniform System [of] Conduct towards the Indians, which [c]annot exist [if] every Commandant of a Post is to intermeddle separ= ately and Independently in the management of the con= cerns which Relates to them. The Communication is made in Con= formity with an instruction from the Secretary of War, who desires that the Military Officers may be required to refer the Indians in all matters Relating to their Nati= onal affairs of grievances to the Governor of the North Western Territory and the Governor of the Mississippi Terri= tory or the Temporary Indian Agent nearest to their Post. As occasions may require and that the Commandants of the Posts in the Mississippi Territory may be instructed to furnish on the order of Governor Sargent when the same can be spared, such Rations for the Indians who may visit the said Posts as he may from time to time direct. (Signed) [undecipherable] Hamilton Col. Hamtramck