Thomas McKenney, Superintendent Of Indian Trade, Writes Checks To Reimburse Trade Fund

THOMAS L. McKENNEY (1785-1859). McKenney was the Superintendent of Indian Affairs from 1824 to 1830 and a scholar of Native American culture. He co-authored History of the Indian Tribes of North America. ALS. 1 pg. 8” x 10”. September 30, 1819. Georgetown. An autographed letter signed “Tho. L. McKenney” to “Re Smith Esqu. Cashe Office Dist & Dept Washington”. The letter lists the checks that McKinney has written “to reimburse the Trade fund for sundry disbursements made from said fund on account of Annuities”. The letter lists eight checks totaling $18,834.53. At this time, trading with Native Americans relied on the “factory system,” a system established in 1795 wherein government-owned trading houses run by designated Indian agents furnished Natives with goods necessary for survival in exchange for furs. McKenney was appointed superintendent of Indian trade in 1816 by President James Madison, serving until the position was abolished in 1822. He then served as Superintendent of Indian Affairs within the War Department between 1824-1830. As a Quaker, McKenney sincerely believed the federal government had the ability and obligation to “civilize” Native tribes. Under his leadership, the Indian Civilizations Act, which provided the first federal funding in support of Indian education, and the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which started the Trail of Tears, were passed. He was fired by President Andrew Jackson for opposing white settlement on Indian-designated lands and for his opinion that “the Indian was, in his intellectual and moral structure, our equal.” The letter is in fine condition, except for some minor staining in the top left and tears on the bottom right corners.