Letter from George W. Ewing to William Medill?, November 24 1846: Sheet #2

Transcription

Miami Lands Osage River Sub Agency

Nov. 24th 1846

Col Wm Medill Comr Inda Affairs

Sear Sir,

I left the state of Indiana in the 23rd of June last for the far West and have not been back since.

Previous to leaving Indiana having become interested in the Miami Removal contract with Alexie Coquillard & Saml Edsall, the latter my brother & myself [gave up?] the entire controul & management of the Emigration to Mr. Coquillard.

We all however attended several of the Councills that were held with the Miamis, in May & June last by Mr. Sinclear & Mr. Coquillard preparatory to removal.

All fair means in our power were resorted to to induce them to move & we were pleased to think that they would do so, in fact, the day was fixd viz 1st August last, for their departure. The contractors had made every necessary preparation for their speedy & comfortable removal & by those means had incurred heavy expences.

On my arrival at St. Louis in June last, I informed Major Harvey the Supt. Inda. Affairs, that the Miamis would be on in Septr. that they would leave Indiana the 1st of August, [we?] had I then any doubt but that such would be the case.

You may judge of my surprise as well as regret on receiving a letter from Mr. Coquillard, & also one from my brother W.G. Ewing dated about the middle of August, informing me that the Miamis had receded from their positive promise previously made and now declined moving at all this season.

I immediately wrote them & recommended a