When Tipton received his appointment there were only 2,441 Miami, Potawatomie and Eel River Indians left in the territory covered by the Fort Wayne agency. In 1824, their annuities amounted to $17,300 for the Miamis, $1,100 for the Eel River Indians, and $1,700 for the Potawatomies. These annuities, which increased threefold during Tipton’s administration, were a stake well worth effort of the traders. Moreover, added to these annuities were the gifts and other contingencies which the government furnished the Indians and had to buy from the traders. The traders in the vicinity of Fort Wayne realized the fur trade was declining, but they also knew the Indians sill needed their goods and encouraged then to buy heavily on credit. The Indians recognized these debts, some of which were artificial even, and before the annuities were paid, the traders made sure they received their payments. What was left for the Indians was either spent on whiskey or in buying more goods. There was no limit to the greed of many of the traders. Finding the annuities inadequate, they joined with the Indians in asking for increased payments by the government and conspired to hold up treaty agreements until demands were granted. The outstanding incident of Tipton’s second year as agent was his seizure of goods belonging to the powerful American Fur Company for violation of the Intercourse Act on the part of two of their clerks at Fort Wayne. Tipton’s action was upheld by a jury in the United States district court, and the goods were declared forfeited. However, when the case was carried to the United States Supreme Court, the judgement was reversed, and the case was ordered back to the district court, where it was finally dismissed.[23] Whatever the legal merits of the case, it was clear that not even someone with Tipton’s political influence could challenge the important traders, especially Astor’s American Fur Company. [1]_John Tipton Papers_ I, _IHC_, XXIV ed. Nellie Robertson and Dorothy Riker, p. 49. [2]Major Vose was a native of Manchester, New Hampshire. He was commissioned a captain in the twenty-first infantry in 1812 and promoted to major during the war. In 1842, he received the commission of colonel. His death occurred at New Orleans Barracks, in Louisiana, in 1845. [3]_Above_, pp. [p 66-69.] [4]J. L. Williams, _Historical Sketch of the First Presbyterian Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana_, p. 12. [5]Riley to Sanford, Nov. 24, 1819, quoted in Riley W. Willshire’s _Sequel to Riley’s Narrative_, pp. 401-404. [6]_Ibid._, p. 403. [6a]Riley to Tiffin, Nov. 14, 1820, quoted in T. B. Helm, _History of Wabash County_, p. 78. [7]_Ibid._, p. 78. [8]_Ibid._, p. 78. [9]Rev. J. B. Finney, _Life Among the Indians_, p. 34. [10]William H. Keating (comp) _Narrative of an Expedition to the Source of St. Peter’s River ... 1823 ... under the command of Stephen H. Long_, I: 81.