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felt it to be my duty to endeavor to ascertain how the appointment would be rec'd in Georgia, without exposing the circumstances to the publicity and without stating that you would accept of it, under the conditions stated. I addressed myself to Dr. Bibb and to him alone, under the injunction of secrecy. I have this day rec'd his reply, from which I have extracted as much as is necessary to show you his opinion viz. "That the unqualified acceptance of Gov. Mitchell of the Agency would be highly satisfactory to the people of Georgia, I am fully persuaded, but I think the objection suggested to the proposed unclear, insuperable. If the governor would consent to reside at the agency, he might make frequent excursions without subjecting himself to censure. In that way he might be absent probably half the year, but if his home is not understood to be there, or of a considerable portion of his time is not spent there I fear public clamor will soon drive him from the station. Every unfriendly act committed by any part of the Creek, would be charged to his absence, and inattention, and indeed every unpleasant occurrence among them would be attributed to the want of a resident agent, whose influence might have prevented it. In giving you this opinion it is proper to add, that I know of no man whose services the government is likely to obtain would be