Letter of Alexis Coquillard and Samuel Edsall to William Medill, December 30 1847: Sheet #2

Transcription

Fort Wayne Ia. Dec. 30^th 1847

Honl W^m Medill
Comm^r of Indian Affiars

Sir
The undersigned, sub contractors, under Thomas Dowling for the removal & subsistence (on year) of the Miami Indians, from the state of Indiana, beg leave, most respectfully to represent.

First. They earnestly request that no part of the Expenses of the issuing Commissary (so called) for these Indians may be taken from them, believing as we do that the officer was not required, was created without authority, and wholly synecure in its character.

Secondly, The removal and subsistence of three refractory and ill advised people, though few in numbers, has been a tedious, perplexing, and very expensive afair. The undersigned sub contractors have spared no pains or expense to accomplish it, and carry out the views and wishes of the Department, and are now happy to state that we believe it has been done to the entire satisfaction of the Indians.

Thirdly. A brief statement in regard to the way and manner this issuing commissary was created, and appointed may not be out of place here. it is knkown to the Honl Commr of Ind. Affairs that in Octob^r 1846 Col. A. J. Vaughan, the Osage River sub agent was directed by the War Department "to receive the emigrated Miamies from the Mr. Jas Sinclear, and to see that they were subsisted agreeable to the original removal contract made with Thomas Dowling."

From this the inference was plain that the Department had ordered this sub agent to see to this himself, but not so--he proceeds at once and appoints (unauthorized)