Robert S. Stevens wrote from Washington, D.C. to James W. Denver, governor of Kansas, discussing manners of obtaining and using certain Indian lands. Stevens had been in contact with Charles Mix, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in order to understand the existing agreements between the government and the various tribes. He pressed Governor Denver to make a treaty with the Delaware and Pottawatomie tribes to get control of their lands before the end of the current legislative session, which would allow him to present and get approval for any necessary bills relating to the lands in a shorter amount of time.