Arizona citizen., 1874-11-14
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE,

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, | Septem Der l4, 1874. | Hon. Commissioner of Indian Affairs, | Washington, D. c. Sir: Since my recOm- mendation in January last. after an inspec- | ton made by your suggestion and order, that the Rio Verde Indian Reservation, in Arizona, should be abandoned on account | of its unhealthy locality, and for other | reasons, as stated in my report, I have l been violently attacked and grossly mis- represented and maligned by The Arizona Miner, a paper published at Prescott, in said Territory. Recently numerous distinct charges of fraud, corruption and deception upon my part in the management Of the Colorado River reservation, have been made in the columns of said journal and furnish ed to the California and Eastern press by the military telegraph.
 Well knowing myself that they are only the inventions of an interruptions editor and his correspondents, backed by parties whose interests would be injured by the breaking up of the Rio Verde Reservation, but experimenting that the bold manner Tn which they are put forth may lead the public to believe that they have fOunda- tion in fact, and confident that every act of mine, in connection with my agency in Arizona, will bear examination, 1 respect fully ask that these allegations, one and all, be made the subject Of the most rigid and exhaustive investigation that you can authorize, and care not by whom, or how it is made.
 Not only for my own vindication, but for that of your office, and of the Indian service generally, and of the society under whose auspices 1 became an agent, as well as in justice to the citizens of Arizona, and to the Indians under my charge, do ask this investigation and urge that it be made with the least possible delay.
 l will orly add that in giving it as my judgment that the Rio Verde reservation was unhealthy, 1 expressed no more than
 
 last annual report, dated September P, 1873, in which he used the following lam guage: -.
 "Since the removal of the Indians to the Verde reservation, a great deal of "slckneSS has prevailed among them, and, '" as they are very superstitiOus, it has been the source of great dissatisfaction, and I "am fearful that unless the cooler weather "brings a marked improvement many twill leave. and clandeStinely return to "their old homeS."
 The annual report of the agent at this reservation fully confirmed this view, and before my inspection was made, over one thousand Indians had dieu or left the res ervation. If the present season has proved more healthy,if the military favor the con tinuance of the reservation, or ii for any reason the Indians are now better satisfied, still assert, most emphatically. that my report to you was correct statement of the condition of affairs at it's date, as given me by the Indian agent, his employees, !, and the officer commanding Camp Verde. pronounce the charges ofThe Miner, that in making it, was actuated by desire 10 have the Indians placed under my control for my personal gain, or the benefit of con- tractors, by animosity to General Crook, or by any selfish, mercenary, or dishonest motive, utterly false, indefensible, and malicious.
 According to nay recon mmendaton but a very small number of the Indians at the Rio Verde were to be taken to the Col orado River reservation, and those only such as had originally been there, while the great majority of them were 10 be sent to the White Mountain reservation, with which had not, and have not, the slight est connection, official or otherwise.
 Very respectfully, your Obedient servant,
 J. A. ToNNER,
 U. $. Indian Agent.