Notwithstanding the fact that these Indians were carried away without the
knowledge or sanction of the Government, and consequently without the
requisite preparation for their comfort and subsistence in the western
country, yet the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, as soon as he was
apprised of the movements of Dr. Hogeboom, anxious to afford them all the
relief in his power, promptly ordered arrangements for their reception at
the place of their destination, as will be seen by the following
documents in the War Department, to wit:
WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, June 10th, 1846.
SIR:--Information has been receently received at this office that A.
Hogeboom had started for St. Louis with a party of New York Indians, in
number about two hundred. This act of starting with a less number than
two hundred and fifty, in connection with the recent action of this
office, looking to a suspension of the emigration for a time, was wholly
unauthorized, and of course unexpected, but as the party are without the
reach of the Department, measures must be taken to subsist them. I have
therefore to request that you will give directions to the Osage sub-agent
to invite proposals as contemplated in my instructions to you of the 14th
November, 1845, to which you are referred.
Respectfully, &c.,