Letter from Joseph Sinclear to William Medill, October 1 1846: Sheet #2

Transcription

Peru Oct 1^st 1846

Sir

I had the honour to state to you in my letter of the 29^th ultimo, that on that day the INdians had agreed to assemble at the contractor's camp where a full explanation would be made to them of what was done at the council held with the Chiefs at the Forks of the Wabash.

There was not as general an attendance as we had expected, yet we explained fully to them what was required of them, and what had been agreed upon by their Chiefs--When we had concluded, the answer given by the Indians was that they had selected a chief to do their business for them, and they would be governed by his advice & directions.

The chief had come to this place, but was too unwell to attend the council. He is better now and appears to be acting in good faith, yet we may be deceived as there has not yet a single family come on the ground prepared to emigrate. And I am informed that some famlies have left their homes expecting to be able to hide from us. The chief was informed last evening, that unless a very considerable portion of the tribe should be on the ground prepared to emigrate in the course of to day & to morrow we should be compelled to bring them in by force. He promises to do all he can & he may when he finds