Letter of Alexis Coquillard and Samuel Edsall to William Medill, December 30 1847: Sheet #3

Transcription

as we presume) his son Leonidas Vaughan, to be issuing commissary for said Indians.

We are of the opinion that this did not meet the views of the Suprt of Ind^a Affairs (Major Thos. H. Harvey) at Saint Louis, who holds to the opinion, and has ^ ^{been heard} frequently to so express himself, that no such officer, and no such expense was necessary. That the sub agent should see to it himself, and that the issues need not be made [oftener?] than once every thirty days in the winter, and once every ten days in the summer.

The appointment however as made and reported by Col. Vaughan of his son to this synecure office, was forwarded to the Department through the Supr^d Indⁿ Affairs at Saint Louis. After due consideration there, it seems the appointment was not wholly approved of, but Col. Vaughan was informed that "one issuing Commissarys or Inspector might be employed and that his compensation would be $2.50 per day, for every day necessarily employed.

We further learn that it had not yet been decided who should pay this expense, whether it should be paid by the Gov^t or by the Removal Contractors.

It is against this latter part that we desire most earnestly to object and to protest. Notwithstand. it was and now is the opinion of the Suprt of Indian Affairs that the rations should only ^ ^be issued once in 30 days, yet we see this synecure office, for the purpose of peculation, requiring, under orders or sanction of his father, the sub agent, during the whole of the first year ending on 5^th Nov^r last, the issues to be made once every five days--wholly un called for by the Indians--and done for the express purpose of increasing the per diem to this uncalled for office.