This set of documents responds to an inquiry by the obviously irritated House Committee on Indian Affairs which “searched in vain for the law establishing that office” referred to as a “Bureau” dealing with Indian Affairs within the Department of War. The documents reveal the rationale for the administrative action creating the office in the Department of War in 1824 and includes the letter from Secretary of War Calhoun establishing the Bureau of Indians with a staff of three. The statutory basis for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the position of Commissioner were not formalized by legislation until 1832. The Bureau was transferred to the Department of the Interior in 1849 where it continues to this day. 12 pages. Disbound, housed in a temporary plastic binding.

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Condition: B

Lightly toned with minor foxing, edge chips, and small dampstains along the bottom sheet edges. The pages have separated and are housed in a temporary plastic binding.