Letter from Joseph M. Lynch , Little Rock, Ark., to Chief John Ross. Regarding debts against and inability to dispose of steamboat Victoria; reports that William S. Rogers and Jacob Nicholson, who have been jailed for murder of Tacoway, a white man. They were charged by Matthew Arbuckle's soldiers as being Ross men. Single folded sheet of paper with handwritten text in ink on three pages. Folder 727

Little Rock 18th June 1840 John Ross, Esqr Dear Sir On my arrival here I called on Capt Collins and M Runion to kno what disposition had been made with the Victoria, and was informed by Capt Collins that it was impossible to make sale of her at the price stipulated and from the anormous amount against the boat as rendered in by Mr Runion he did not think it right to make settlement. The amount against the boat is over four thousand dollars and so hard as times here she could not be sold for that amount, consequently I am unable to make any disposition of her. The chimneys have been blown down by a gale and so much injured, that there will have to be new ones made, and other small repairs which will not be completed before your arrival here. The paper I leave in the hands of Mr. McDonalds the Tavern keeper, subject to you call. Mr Wm S. Rogers and Jacob Nicholson are here in jail charged with an assault & attempt to murder a whiteman by the name of Tredaway, they were also charged by Arbuckles soldiers who arrested them, with being Ross men. Tom Williams is here as a witness in behalf of the U. S. They will have their trial Saturday next. I am informed by Mr. Willison is just from fort Gibson, that another meeting had been called by Gen. Arbuckle, to have met at Fort Gibson on Monday last for the purpose of forming a govemt for the Cherokee nation. It appears that the Genl is long winded. The river is low and falling. I start tomorrow morning in the stage for Van Burin. Give my compliments to the delegation. Respectfully J. H. Lynch

[Transcibed by Danielle Culp., 2014-08-28]

On my arrival here I called on Capt Collins and M Runion to kno what disposition had been made with the Victoria, and was informed by Capt Collins that it was impossible to make sale of her at the price stipulated and from the anormous amount against the boat as rendered in by Mr Runion he did not think it right to make settlement. The amount against the boat is over four thousand dollars and so hard as times here she could not be sold for that amount, consequently I am unable to make any disposition of her. The chimneys have been blown down by a gale and so much injured, that there will have to be new ones made, and other small repairs which will not be completed before your arrival here. The paper I leave in the hands of Mr. McDonalds the Tavern keeper, subject to you call. Mr Wm S. Rogers and Jacob Nicholson are here in jail charged with an assault & attempt to murder a whiteman by the name of Tredaway, they were also charged by Arbuckles soldiers who arrested them, with being Ross men.