Letter from Allen Hamilton to T. Hartley Crawford, November 28 1844: Sheet #3

Transcription

thought it my duty to put you in possession of matters as they stood: respectfully requesting that I may be permitted to modify your answer to suit the occasion. I do not despair of meeting the wishes of the department although I fear Mr Dowling has placed too high an estimate on the influence he acquired during a short sojourn among them as well as that, which I possess, it is to be feared he made some promises. Which since he has sold out [may?][illegible][out?]injudicious Mr D, is well calculated to get along with white men - a [welthy? worthy?] man of good standing in society. Yet he knows nothing of the management of Indians. I can only say to you, so long as I act under your instructions (let that period be long or short) every exertion in my power will be brought into [illegible] to cause an early emigration - as well to carry out your wishes as to remove the Miamis (for whom I have a strong regard) to a country where they can be protected by the act regulating trade and intercourse. By giving them an early payment so as to settle for their winter provisions - pay off their small debts I have strong hopes of inducing an early removal say in May. Many things are to be settled before their departure. The number of those entitled under treaty provisions to remain - as well as those to remove so that the division of annuities be correctly made, this will show most of them the necessity of going and have a good effect. Some who must emigrate have patents which they are entitled to - not yet issued - it is hard to explain to an Indian why one get a paper for his land and another