The general correspondence files document all aspects of the Bureau's functions and, in almost every instance, contain materials relevant to divisional records. Throughout the period 1824-1907 the basic records of the Bureau were maintained in separate series of incoming and outgoing correspondence. For the period 1824-80 the incoming records are arragned by field jurisdictions and by special subjects. From 1881 until 1907 incoming letters and reports were filed as records of the Land Division and of the Education and other Divisions. Letter books of letters sent, 1824-86, comprise one chronological series. The Commissioner's reports to the Secretary of War appear in the series before 1838, but thereafter the reports to the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Interior are in separate volumes, 1838-85. With the introduction of the letterpress, press copies were separately maintained by divisions; there are copies, ca. 1870-1908, for the Land, Civilization, Depredation, Finance, Accounts, Mecical and Educational, Education, and Miscellaneous Divisions. After the system of classified files was inaugurated in 1907, copies of outgoing letters were placed in these files,but in addition a straight chronological file of outgoing letters, 1900-1936, was maintained. Since these letters were duplicated in the central classified files only a sample has been retained. Most of the correspondence dated between 1907 and 1939 was filed according to a decimal-subject classification system. Letters sent, letters received in reply, and other records relating to the same subject were filed with the initial incoming letter to form a dossier or file. Records in these central classified files were grouped as follows: records relating to the central office of the Bureau ("Indian Office"); general administrative records ("General Service"); and records relating to individual field units of the Bureau, with a few subject designations arranged alphabetically by name of jurisdiction or subject. In 1936 a numerical subject classification scheme known as the Shaeffer, or "New," System was adopted, but the following year the decimal classification system was restored. Many incoming letters were removed from the general files and filed separately in other series or groupings of Bureau records. Certain incoming letters and papers relating chiefly to claims and investigations were separated and maintained in 303 special files, 1807-1904. Some of the most important documents relating to problems at particular reservations or in connections with certain tribes or persons were placed in 203 special case files, 1821-1907. They concern such matters as railroad rights-of-way, cattle and timber trespass, logging, special claims, schools, contracts, surveys, unauthorized settlement, and the sale of liquor. A similar group of segregated records, identified as special series A, ca. 1859-1934, consists of correspondence, records of the Land and Inspection Divisions, special reports, materials prepared for congressional hearings, and related records concerning land matters, heirship cases, claims, personnel matters, estimates, enrollments, investigations, and schools. Some correspondence concerning negotiations of Indian treaties was filed with related journals, council proceedings, reports and other records in a ratified treaty file, 1801-68, and an unratified treaty file, 1821-69. Correspondence, maps, and other records concerning Executive orders relating to Indian reservations, 1850-92, were also segregated. "Authorities,"comprising letters from the Secretary of the Interior or his representative authorizing actions that usually concerned expenditures, were registered and indexes separately from other incoming correspondence and were assigned their own series of number. The indexes and registers are among the records. Also filed separately are copies of orders and circulars issued and replies received by the Bureau. A separate series of indexes and registers, 1877-1907, was maintained for incoming letters that constituted claims against the Bureau and contracts made by Bureau officials. The claims for this period were destroyed by authority of the Congress while the records were still in Bureau custody. A series of volumes identified as Miscellaneous Records, 1836-87, contains copies of commissions, treaties, regulations, reports, memorandums, circular letters, and public noticies; lists of employees, schools, contracts, land locations, patentees, claimants, and population figures; and statements of funds and other financial information.
