Exhibit of cattle and other articles sold by the Cary Mission from April 1829 to September 1, 1830
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: September 1830
This item lists the livestock and items sold by the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory, prior to the closure of the mission in early September of 1830 following the passage of the Indian Removal Act.

Isaac McCoy to Robert Simerwell
Creator: McCoy, Isaac, 1784-1846
Date: July 22, 1830
In this letter to Robert Simerwell, Isaac McCoy explains what awaits Simerwell and the Indians at the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory, as well as all Indians that will soon be impacted by the passage of the Indian Removal Act. McCoy states that the Baptist Board of Missions has offered to lead the effort to re-settle the Indians if the U.S. Government is willing to help them do so.

Isaac McCoy to Robert Simerwell
Creator: McCoy, Isaac, 1784-1846
Date: February 19, 1831
In this letter to Robert Simerwell, Isaac McCoy relates the news of his recent travels. McCoy, who had been away from the Carey Mission for some time, explained that he had been busy working to achieve the best for the Indians and the Baptist Board of Missions. However, McCoy candidly admits that his efforts have been "all up-hill work."

Issac McCoy to Robert Simerwell
Creator: McCoy, Isaac, 1784-1846
Date: April 12, 1830
In this letter to Robert Simerwell at the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory, Isaac McCoy addresses the "Indian removal question" that eventually resulted in the Indian Removal Act which was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson on May 26, 1830. McCoy states that "I think the measure of removal will carry," and he suggests that Simerwell will have to wait a short time before needed improvements to the Carey Mission can be addressed. In fact, McCoy explains that Simerwell may soon have to relocate depending on what might follow the passage of the Indian Removal Act.

Johnston Lykins to Robert Simerwell
Creator: Lykins, Johnston, 1800?-1876
Date: December 21, 1830
In this letter to Robert Simerwell, Johnston Lykins relates some of his activities in the late fall and early winter of 1830, most of which concerned the efforts to ready the local Native Indians for the move west of the Mississippi. Lykins states that, while at Logan Fort, he met a Wea from the Kanza River who had "collected 100 Weas & Miamis who will go on in the spring to Missouri." Lykins then explains that he plans to see the Wea soon so that the two of them can make arrangements for the 100 Native Indians that were ready to leave the Michigan Territory for the "West."

Lucas Bolles to Johnston Lykins and Robert Simerwell
Creator: Bowles, Reverend Lucas
Date: October 1, 1830
In this letter to Johnston Lykins and Robert Simerwell, Reverend Lucas Bolles reports that the Baptist Board of Missions has received the reports sent by both Lykins and Simerwell and, as a result, the Board is completing the closing of the Books & winding up of affairs at Carey Mission, Michigan Territory. Bolles letter indicates that the educational department of the Carey Mission was closed on August 26, 1830, with 15 scholars in attendance at the time it ceased operations. Bolles reports that the U.S. Government has promised that a new school will be opened in the "new Country" west of the Mississippi and that the Native Americans were being moved there following the passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

Noble and Simonson to John H. Eaton
Date: September 2, 1830
In this letter to U.S. Secretary of War John H. Eaton, Department of War agents Noble and Simonson report on the property held by the Baptist missionaries at Carey Mission, Michigan Territory. The report contains a detailed breakdown of the assets at Carey, including the 11 "hewed log" buildings, mill, and other items.

Robert Simerwell to Brother Goodridge
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: October 26, 1830
Written in the months after the passage of the Indian Removal Act, Robert Simerwell's letter to Brother Goodridge relates his feelings regarding the treatment of the Native Indians by "individuals of the Government" of the United States. Simerwell, obviously angered by the treatment of Native Indians, states that "the impositions practised by individuals on the Indians are incredible, only by custom are they made to bear it, it would appear strange to you to see a white man enter a store and purchase cloth at 25 cents a yard, and an Indian immediately enter who could not get it short of 37 cents."

Robert Simerwell to Isaac McCoy
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: February 27, 1830
In this letter to Reverend Isaac McCoy, Robert Simerwell addresses the upcoming removal of the Native Indians living in the vicinity of the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory. Simerwell explains his stance on the issue by stating that "on the whole, I am agreed as it regards the propriety of the measure." However, Simerwell hints that he is not entirely happy with the plan to remove the Native Indians, and that it had shaken his "fortitude as a missionary." In addition, Simerwell tells McCoy about the issues facing the missionaries at the Thomas Mission, as well as the debate between the local Native Indians regarding the possibility of leaving their lands.

Robert Simerwell to Mrs. Mary T. Lyman
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: May 25, 1830
In this letter to Mrs. Mary Lyman, Robert Simerwell responds to Lyman's query into the needs of the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory, by explaining that the possible removal of the Native Indians being educated there will likely hinder future efforts. In addition, Simerwell asserts that the growing presence of white settlers has hampered the efforts of the missionaries because it has helped open a "wide spread door to vice and immorality."

Robert Simerwell to Reverend Noah Davis
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: July 21, 1830
In this letter to Noah Davis, Robert Simerwell explains that the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory, will soon be abandoned as a Baptist mission. In fact, Simerwell states that "our labours at this place are almost at a close, our premises will be valued 1st Sep. when our posessary right will cease." Simerwell also tells Davis that he has spoken with Isaac McCoy who had been assured "by the President and the Sec. Of War that our Denomination shall receive a liberal patronage from Gov" which Simerwell hopes will allow them to continue their missionary work among the Indians.

Robert Simerwell to Reverend Samuel Bolles
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: March 29, 1831
In this letter to Reverend Samuel Bolles, Robert Simerwell expresses his thoughts on missionary schools for Native Indians. To begin with, Simerwell explains that schools "should be conducted so as to secure the most possible interest in the parents as well as in the child." In addition, Simerwell argues that schools should be set up in or near villages where the children most often reside. Finally, among many other thoughts on education, Simerwell believes that missionaries should teach Native Indian students in their native language in order to be the most effective in the classroom.

Robert Simerwell to S.M. Crane
Creator: Simerwell, Robert, 1786-1868
Date: December 20, 1830
In this letter to Reverend S.M. Crane, Robert Simerwell addresses the state of affairs at the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory, in the winter of 1830. Simerwell also discusses the efforts of Carney missionaries to learn the local Native Indian language.

Samuel S. Hamilton to Robert Simerwell
Creator: Hamilton, Samuel S.
Date: September 10, 1830
In this letter to Robert Simerwell, Samuel Hamilton discusses the latest developments with regard to the removal of the Native Indians located at the Carey Mission, Michigan Territory. Included is a short reply from the U.S. Secretary of War's Office of Indian Affairs in which the author states that Secretary of War John Eaton has decided to allow Simerwell to remain at the Carey Mission for a brief time after the appraisement of the property on September 1, 1830. Hamilton's letter also includes a letter that he sent to Reverend S. Bolles explaining the Secretary of War's decision regarding the transition period that followed President Jackson's signature of the Indian Removal Act. Finally, the last part of Hamilton's letter is addressed directly to Simerwell. In this section, Hamilton explains that the Baptist Board of Missions believes that Simerwell should remain at the Carey Mission until all the details concerning the removal of the Native Americans to the lands West of the Mississippi have been finalized between the Board and the U.S. Government.

United States Office of Indian Affairs, Central Superintendency, St. Louis, Missouri. Volume 21, Accounts
Creator: United States. Office of Indian Affairs. Central Superintendency
Date: 1822-1834
This volume contains the expenditure accounts of Indian agents for the upper Missouri River, including Benjamin O'Fallon, George H. Kennerly, and John Dougherty, as recorded by the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, William Clark (of the Lewis and Clark Expedition). Some of the expenditures include interpreter and agent salaries, supplies, and presents, such as beads and tobacco.

United States Office of Indian Affairs, Central Superintendency, St. Louis, Missouri. Volume 22, Accounts
Creator: United States. Office of Indian Affairs. Central Superintendency
Date: 1828-1834
This volume contains the accounts of John F.A. Sanford, Indian agent for the upper Missouri River as recorded by the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, William Clark (of the Lewis and Clark Expedition). Some of the expenditures include interpreter and agent salaries, supplies, and presents, such as beads and tobacco.

United States Office of Indian Affairs, Central Superintendency, St. Louis, Missouri. Volume 23, Accounts
Creator: United States. Office of Indian Affairs. Central Superintendency
Date: 1822-1834
This volume contains the account expenditures of Indian agent Lawrence Taliaferro from September 30, 1822 - September 30, 1834. It contains quarterly abstracts of disbursements, and reasons for payment, such as salaries for laborers and interpreters, transportation costs, stationary, and medical services, including one entry for milk given to Chippewa Indians in the hospital at Fort Snelling.

United States Office of Indian Affairs, Central Superintendency, St. Louis, Missouri. Volume 26, Accounts
Creator: United States. Office of Indian Affairs. Central Superintendency
Date: 1826-1836
This volume contains records of accounts of Indian agents as recorded by the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Central Superintendency, at St. Louis, Missouri. These Indian agents included John F. Hamtramck, Lawrence Taliaferro, Pierre Menard, Jonathan L. Bean, John Dougherty, and John F.A. Sanford. Several pages in this volume are empty or missing. This volume also includes expenditures relating to the Treaty of Prairie du Chien of July 15, 1830. Such expenditures include the support of blacksmiths, the purchase of agricultural implements, and the education of Indian children from several tribes.

United States Office of Indian Affairs, Central Superintendency, St. Louis, Missouri. Volume 27, Accounts
Creator: United States. Office of Indian Affairs. Central Superintendency
Date: 1831-1834
This volume contains the records of current accounts of Seneca Indian agents, including Henry C. Brish, Augustin Kennerly and Lieutenant J. Van Horne. They participated in the removal of Seneca Indians from Sandusky County, Ohio to St. Louis and further west and similar emigration of Delaware Indians from Muncie, Indiana to the west. The records show cash amounts received for services and expenditures such as the purchase of wagons and horses. Partial funding for the digitization of these records was provided by the National Park Service.

United States Office of Indian Affairs, Central Superintendency, St. Louis, Missouri. Volume 29, Accounts
Creator: United States. Office of Indian Affairs. Central Superintendency
Date: 1826-1831
This volume contains records of purchases made and cash advances as recorded by the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Central Superintendency, at St. Louis, Missouri. This includes accounts for several people, such as Dr. Oliver Bangs, agriculturist for the Ioway Tribe, Dr. David Bailey and Dr. B.R. Brannen, agriculturists for the Osage Nation, Dr. Daniel M. Boon, agriculturist for the Kansas Indians, Robert Dunlap, blacksmith for the Osage Nation, James Poole, blacksmith for the Delawares, Gabriel Philliberre, blacksmith for the Kansas Indians, several Indian agents, and one contractor, Dr. K.J.C. Paddock, who was responsible for building houses for Osage chiefs. Partial funding for the digitization of these records was provided by the National Park Service.

United States Office of Indian Affairs, Central Superintendency, St. Louis, Missouri. Volume 32, Claims under 1824 Sac and Fox Treaty
Creator: United States. Office of Indian Affairs. Central Superintendency
Date: 1828-1837
This volume of miscellaneous papers from the United States Office of Indian Affairs, Central Superintendency, St. Louis, Missouri, includes a record of documents and correspondence relating to claims of half-breed Indians, under the Sac & Fox treaty of 1824, to a tract of land between the Des Moines River and the Mississippi River. A searchable, full-text version of this volume is available by clicking "Text Version" below. Partial funding for the digitization of these records was provided by the National Park Service.

United States Office of Indian Affairs, Central Superintendency, St. Louis, Missouri. Volume 4, Correspondence
Creator: United States. Office of Indian Affairs. Central Superintendency
Date: 1829-1832
This volume includes copies of some outgoing letters sent by William Clark (of the Lewis and Clark Expedition) who served as Indian superintendent for the central superintendency from 1807 until his death in 1838. Many of these letters were sent to the Secretary of War, John H. Eaton and Lewis Cass, and United States Treasury Department. A searchable, full-text version of this volume is available by clicking "Text Version" below. Partial funding for the digitization of these records was provided by the National Park Service.

United States Office of Indian Affairs, Central Superintendency, St. Louis, Missouri. Volume 6, Correspondence
Creator: United States. Office of Indian Affairs. Central Superintendency
Date: 1830-1832
Correspondence received by the Office of Indian Affairs, Central Superintendency in St. Louis, Missouri. William Clark (of the Lewis and Clark Expedition) was the Superintendent of Indian Affairs until his death in 1838. His correspondence with Indian agents covered many topics, including small pox and other diseases, struggles between tribes, the activities of tradesmen, and the disbursement of annuities. Also included are statements showing the number of American citizens robbed or killed by Indians while engaging in the fur trade to Mexico and the Rocky Mountain region. A searchable, full-text (PDF) transcription is available under "External Links" below.