Letter from Joseph Sinclear to William Medill, August 19 1846: Sheet #3

Transcription

He said the Government had professed very great friendship for them when they had lands to sell, but now they found it otherwise, that the country set apart for them west had been represented to be a good country, but they had been to see in and found it to be a very poor country, and had asked to exchange it for another, but the Government had refused to make the exchange.

The chief having concluded, I answered him as far as was necessary in order to give them a correct opinion of the officers of the Government, and as far as I could do so, to satisfy them that they would bring most unpleasant consequences upon themselves by persisting in the course they were pursuing. I then required them to say at once, and without any qualification, whether they would remove or not, and gave them notice, that I should immediately report their answers to the Department at Washington. The chief replied that they could not remove now, that they had plenty of corn in the ground and could live without their money.

I certify on my honour that the above is the substance of my speech to the Miamis, and then answer thereto in council. Very Respectfully, Your Obdt Servant Joseph Sinclair Sub Agt Miami and Superintendent of Emigration

Col Wm Medill Comr Ind Affairs Washington D.C.

I certify that the above is a true statement of the proceedings in Council held by J. Sinclear with the Miamis in my presence. Christmas Dagenet Interpreter for the Emigration.