Letter from W.G. Ewing to William Medill, May 19 1847: Sheet #13

Transcription

Government towards civilization, for I take it that when individuals or Tribes are cut off, & exterminated, they are disposed to be entirely civil.

For ourselves, permit me again to request that you will not, by your new Instructions, so alter the manner of making the Indians payments, as to prevent the Tribes who owe us from paying us, for if you do you will ruin us at one blow, I am not willing to believe that you want to do this, yet the late extraordinary act (which some person dictated, and asked for), certainly gives a fearfull "discretion," and if through improper prejudice or otherwise, you should be induced to declare against existing rights & contracts, you will heap unmeasured injuries upon our heads, and do us lasting and ruinous injustice.

If you interdict the payment of our national claims, due us, prior to 3^d March last, you Bankrupt us, at once. We cant pay our debts if wronged out of our claims, therefore I earnestly appeal to you not to do such gross injustice to

Very respectfully Your mo. obt. srvt.

Geo. W. Ewing

N.B. Major Harvey left for Neosho to visit the Osage Indians on yesterday. The medals &c you sent him for those people arrived this morning. I leave this evening & will take them with me, will join Major Harvey this side of Neosho.