Letter from William Wilkins to T. Hartley Crawford, May 4 1844: Sheet #3

Transcription

-dians--some persons say possibly seven hundred.

Mr. Thomas Dowling of Indiana proposes to remove the tribe during the present season ^ ^{if practicable} to subsist them for the year, agreeably to the treaty, after their removal to their new home, for the sum of fifty five thousand dollars.

This proposal includes the subsistence upon the journey, means of conveyance, all convenient and humane accomodation, the attendance of a physician, medicine &c &c.

I authorize you to accept this proposal and to prepare the contract. Mr. Dowling wishes the indulgence of thirty days to provide his sureties to the Bond of performance--that time may be given.

The proposal is for a sum ten thousand dollars less than the appropriation by Congress: and is, I believe fifteen thousand dollars under the sum originally estimated as proper to cover the two objects of removal and subsistence.

The recommendations of Mr. Dowling give us full confidence in his fitness, humanity, and capacity for the performance of his contract.

Mr. Dowling is anxious to leave Washington to make arrangement, procure his bail &c--You will therefore

Mr. T.H. Crawford, Indian Bureau