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Branch Bank Fort Wayne
Jany 7, 1847

Dr Sir

Your fav of the 18th ult. is recd

I regret that you have not considered it safe, to advise the payment of more than $35.000. on the contract for the removal of the Miamis. The contractors did not suppose that under any circumstances more than $10.000 would be retained, as the cost of the subsisting the Indians for one year will not exceed $3000 or $6000. It is proper that you should retain enough of the money to be paid on the contract, to fulfil secure its fulfilments.--a large amount cannot be withheld, in justice to the enterprising contractors and other parties concerned. The contractors are under heavy liability incurred in effecting the emigration which $35.000, after deducting the $15.000 to be recd by Mr. Peebles, will not meet.

Under these circumstances, I trust that you will deem it not inconsistent with your duty to the Government to advise the payment of a much larger sum than the one named.

Very Resp Yr Obt Svt
H. MCulloh [illeg]

Hon W Medill Commr Indian Affairs