Logansport Cass County						Copy

Indiana	April 10th 1838

Sir: 

My apology for troubling you with this communication, is in having recently read a letter of Mr. Schoolcraft in a report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in relation to the forming a Cabinet of Indian relics costumes &c.  So liberal and interesting a measure as proposed, being so worthy the consideration of an enlightened Government that the establishment of such a cabinet could not fail to elicit the admiration and interest of the civilized world.


But my immediate object in addressing you is to ask your inspection of my collection of Indian sketches, among which something may present itself that probably you may deem of interest to the Department.  I have understood, that it is the custom of the Department, that when Indian delegations visit Washington, to obtain the portraits of those Indians who will consent to sit for the likenesses.


Being in Indiana, and familiar with the Indians, and possessing facilities of getting likenesses of these who are distinguished and among whom there are many who probably may never visit their “Great Father” at Washington, and whose resemblances posterity may never witness, should they not be obtained in the Red man’s native wilds – I would therefore under these circumstances, through your favour, respectfully tender my services to the Department.


I take the liberty of submitting to you a small portrait of “Nas-waw-Kay” [Naswawkay], the eminent Speaker of the Pottawattamie [Potawatomi] Nation and a hasty sketch taken in the spot of the council which you