, 1864-11-11
Yakama Indian Agency.

PORTLAND, OREHON, OCI IOIuj 1OOf.
EDS. STATEsMAN:-My attention has been called
to a communication published in your paper
some time ago, from Hon Geo. E. Cole, reflect
ing severely upon my management ofthe agency,
and as | have been relieved from that agency by
the Rev Mr.. Wilbur, I3take this occasion to ask
the favor of you of making a brief statement in
reply to the charges of our Delegate, and as
your columns were open to the attack, | think
you will consider it just that have hearing.
In reference then to Mr.. Coles charge Of the
imbecility of the Agent who has had charge of
that agency, would say thata persons statement
is entitled to credit from the veracty Of the au-
thor, and from his means of information on the
subject upon which he speaks.
Isay nothing about Mr.. Coles reputatian for
veracity, but as he has never been to the eagency,
and is now thousands of miles from it, and is
not now and has not been in a position
in which he could be reliably informed of
the agency I submit that any criticisms from
him would make very small impression upon
any sensible man. And in answer to the charge
of imbecility in management of the agency l
would state;
lst The financial condition of the agency has
greatly improved under my management.
When l assumed CONTROL, the agency was deep
ly involved, and although had to struggle on
there for eighteen months before l received a
cent ofmoney, and of course the agency owing
everybody, and paying nobody, all operations
were greatly embarrassed; yet / now leave the
agency nearly relieved ofindebtedness, and with
its credit with both the employees and Indians
greatly improved
And in the matter of finance, I add that I
have defrauded the Government neither directly
or indirectly, and defy friend or foe to show
that have taken anything from the Government
that was not strictly my due.
hope this may not be considered an evil
dence of mbecility by Mr. Cole.
ID l say without fear of contradiction that
the industrial and agricultural condition of the
Indians is far in advance of Whit it was when
assumed controll. There were then only three
or four plows in the hands of the Indians, and
they but little used, and the amount of pro-
duce raised was very inconsiderable, while now
they are using from 2 to 3 dozen plows, besides
other agricultural implements, and the past year
they had some two hundred acres sown in wheat
and perhaps one hundred acres more cultivated
in corn, potatoes, and garden vegetables, and l
may safely say there is forty bushels of grain
raised where there was one.
Under this head may add the improved con-
diton of the saw and Touring mills, and the fact
that there has been erected about thirty frame
or 'balloon" buildings for the Indians, besides
fencing and other improvements about their
houses.
3D. So, too, the educational andIreligious teach
ing may be favorably mentioned. Many of the
Indians who have enjoyed these advantages have
been greatly benefited, and have reason to
hope something has been donein this connection
that will conduce to their happiness both for
this world and the next, and l may here add,
what is the testimony fall those who have Wis
tied the agency lately, that there is marked
improvement in their cleanliness, their dress,
their houses, their stock, their gardens and
the sundry little home matters that conduce to
their comfort.
In mentioning these matters l have endeav-
ored in no respect to Oyerstate them. These i'm
provements are not claimed for myself solely or
principy Ny family have taken lively inter
est and have materially aided me, and all the
employees have been faithful and efficient and
to their fidelity the improved condition of the
agency is greatly indebted.
| may add in conclusion, that while I found
much that was pleasant atthe agency, yet Ileave
she work there to my successor without regret
and with kind and cordial feelings toward the
Indians and my cO-laborers the employees, and
with the hope that good results may continue to
follow all efforts made for amelioratng the con-
dition Of the Indians l am very respectfully
your obedient servant A. A. BANCROFT.
Late Indian Agent Yakama Nation