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Fort Wayne April 26<sup>th</sup> 1847

Honble W<sup>m</sup> Medill
Com<sup>r</sup> of Indian Affairs

Sir,

My letter of the 13<sup>th</sup> Mar was written under excited feelings, having been told that Mr. Sinclair had been laboring to destroy our removal business and as I did not consider that he (Sinclair) was then in office I certainly did not intend my remarks <u>against him</u>, to cast any reflection upon the Hon Indian Department, and regret to observe that you should so consider them, in your letter of the 26<sup>th</sup> March. Upon different occasions I have felt compelled to speak only <u>in self defence</u>, on unfavourable opinion of this Mr. Sinclair, but have not at any times filed <u>specific charges</u>, with a <u>request</u> <u>that they be</u> <u>investigated</u>.

(The depositions of Mr. A. Hamilton & mine about the payment of 1845, I thought relevant to explain his charges in the Removing Agency). The new traders who preferred charges against him, were his friends at first and at all times opposed to the old claimants & I had no connection with them.

It is the earnest desire of Mess<sup>rs</sup> Coquillard Edsall and ourselves that we may close up this business in the reasonable satisfaction of the Hon. Indian Department, and in the close when the truth may be fully made known, We have always believed and hoped, that justice would be impartially done in the premises. And in addressing the Hon. Department we do now, and have always desired to do so, in a respectfull & appropriate manner, as we would of filing papers before any of the Honble Courts of our Country.

I beg leave to refer you to the enclosed depositions of Capt<sup>n</sup> E. Murray & sons, B. D. Miner, A.H. Tyler, & George Helms, and the statement of Col. A. Hamilton and Revd J. Benoist all respectable men, and hopes that they will satisfy you