No white man knows the Indians as Father De Smet, nor has any man their confidence in the same degree.
I hope that you have sufficient leisure to give Father De Smet an audience.
Very truly yours,
THURLOW WEED.
President LINCOLN.
Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Affairs.
March 21, 1864.
Reverend P. J. DE SMET, St. Louis, Missouri:
Sir.- This department has made arrangements with P. Chouteau, Jr., & Co., of your city to transport the annual supplies for the Indians bordering upon the Missouri river. and it is expected that the boat with them will leave St. Louis between the 1st and loth of September next.
Referring to our conversation at the last interview, I have now to state that I am desirous of availing myself of your experience upon the subject of our relations with the Indians generally, and your knowledge of the character and habits, as also of your influence over the particular bands of the Sioux who have given us so much trouble in Dakota, and to solicit you to accompany the expedition with the hope that they may be induced to lay down their arms and establish peaceful relations with the Government.
It is believed that you can safely visit them in their camps and convey to them any message that the Government may wish to send them either from the Interior or War Departments. You will be accompanied by the agents of these people. It is also believed that an expedition under orders from the War Department will either accompany you or be in the country during your stay so that you may be able with the agent Latta to confer and co-operate with the commander of said expedition as to the best course to be pur-