A handwritten receipt dated Oct. 21, 1802, from the U.S. Arsenal. Signed by Andrew R. Mifflin and duplicated from Israel Whelen. The receipt is for supplies from George Ingels Store Keeper of [Military] Supplies, including cloth, and rifle provisions.
Dates: 1802
Biographical Note:This handwritten receipt of goods received by the United States Arsenal from George Ingels, Store Keeper of [Military] Supplies on October 21, 1802 for the use of Indian Factories that were about to be established highlights early US Governmental policies toward Native Americans. Indian Factories were established in the American territories as trading posts for Native Americans to sell their goods and to regulate interaction between Native Americans and non-Native Americans. They were meant to create harmonious relationships with the Native American tribes by encouraging the fur trade, supplying reasonably priced quality goods, and increasing their reliance on the government. The Indian Factories were created under the Nonintercourse Acts (also known as the Indian Intercourse Acts) from 1795 to 1822. The factory system ended in 1822 due to financial strain and competition from private traders.
The Indian Factories - also known as Forts or trading posts – were run by “Factors”, and generally housed a blacksmith, had milling operations, and often housed military garrisons. Goods for the factories were purchased by the Purveyor of Public Supplies and later the Superintendent of Indian Trade. The materials listed in this receipt – scarlet, green and blue cloth, rifle powder and locks, complete rifles and small bar lead – are evidence of the dual purpose of these trading posts. The receipt is signed by Andrew R. Mifflin and was duplicated from Israel Whelen.
George Ingels was the Military Storekeeper at Philadelphia.
Israel Whelen was the Purveyor of Public Supplies at Philadelphia.
Collection Scope:
This collection consists of a handwritten receipt dated Oct. 21, 1802, from the U.S. Arsenal. Signed by Andrew R. Mifflin and duplicated from Israel Whelen. The receipt is for supplies from George Ingels Store Keeper of [Military] Supplies, including cloth, and rifle provisions, for Indian Factories about to be established.
Access and Use:
A digital copy of this collection is available:
M-342: Receipt for Indian Factory Supplies
Use Restrictions: Portions of the collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned, or photographed, depending on condition and restrictions.
Access Restrictions: Access to portions of this collection may be restricted depending on condition.
Please direct any questions regarding this collection to the Reading Room at the St. Louis Mercantile Library by contacting 314.516.7247.
Citation: When citing material from this collection, the preferred citation is: From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
