Ottawa Nation, Oct. 4, 1843
My Father,

On leaving our native country, on the Maumee river in Ohio, four years ago, we were informed by our Removing Agent that our Plows and Harnass [harness] were ready for us in St. Louis. When we passed there we were informed that they would go in another boat. We arrived here, but no plows camemade fields expecting they would be along in the spring. Some of us borrowed plows to break up all of our field, some half, and others could get no other plowing done than what they did with their hoes. We spoke tour Agent Maj. Davis a great many times about them, who always promised to do what he could. As he failed so often in his promises I resolved to see you if possible, Accordingly in May 1842, I called on you at St. Louis, and was much gratified to hear from your own mouth that they should be purchased and sent on immediately. Some weeks afterwards we received a line from you stating that you would use every exertion in our behalf to have them furnished soon. We hoped when you thus wrote to certainly have them before the next spring, but we were finally compelled to conclude that our removing Agent, our late Sub Agent, and our Superintendent all treat us alike, they gave us flattering words to get clear of us at the time, and then paid no attention to either our requests or to their own promises. I have hoped for many months past to be informed in some way or other of the state of things, but continue to be disappointed. Can you not now let me know, by mail, whether you have every made an effort to get the plows? And if so, what is the cause of the failure? Is there any probability of our ever getting them? Or shall we

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dismiss all anxiety on the subject by knowing that they cannot be had? I now ask you this one favor to notice me so much as to write me a line on the subject. I shall wait on you long enough to hear from you through the Post Office. In case I get no reply I will write to my great Father at Washington. If he shall refuse to pay any attention to my request, I shall drop the subject and be convinced that my Father not only wishes to throw me away, but that he also intends to defraud me of that which is my own.

Direct to me at Westport, Mo






No-tin-no.
D.D. Mitchell

Sup. Ind. Affairs


St. Louis, Mo.