Editing 1:54:168

Indiana &c &c--all of which it must be admitted is but true.

I do not now write to defend these men for I know not that they are accused. I write to correct error and misstatement, and to shew the Hon. Com<sup>r</sup> Ind<sup>n</sup> Affairs, that the Indians have offered through Col. Vaughan, a flimsy excuse, have not stated truly, and that they themselves came here and examined this country, return<sup>d</sup> to their nation & reported adverse. With what semblance of justice or [propuity?] then can these same men say in councill that the country had been misrepresented to them by white men. For what purpose were these five Indians whom I have named (among the most intelligent of the nation) selected and sent here at a heavy expence to the nation?

[hand icon] I have just called Col. Vaughan's attention to this subject, and he promptly informs me that the Indians in the councill referred to did not impute this information or misrepresentation to white men at all. he says white men were not named, and that the impression left on his mind was that the misrepresentation which the chief in the councill complained of had been made to him & to his nation by their own delegation, as he made no reference to white men whatever.

If this be the fact it is no doubt a just rebuke to the Indian delegation who