New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-05
THE SPECIAL INDIAN COMMISSION.

THE SPECIAL INDIAN COMMISSION.
CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING THE IN
VESTIGATION.
PROF. MARsHs REPLY TO COMMISSIONER SMITHS
LETTER-A DETAILED STATEMENT EMBODYING
THE EVIDENCE TO BE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
TO The SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS.
f. p. Smith, Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
on July wrote letter to Prof Marsh OF Yale College
informing him of the appointment Of Special Commits
sion to investigate affairs at the Red Cloud Agency In
connection with the statements made by Prof. Marsh In
behalf Of the Indians with regard to the supplies fur
nshed Prot Marsh has written the following reply to
Commissioner Smith:
LETTER OF PROF. MARSH.
YALE COLLEGE, NEw-H,vEN July 3, 1875.
me Hon +. 7, SMITH, Commissioner Of Indian Affairs
DEAR SIR: have received your letter OF the LIST inst
Informing me OF the appointment Of the Hon. A. II.
M Sn G"ose ss 2 F. Of S as
committee to investigate affairs at Red Cloud Agency
have AS yet received no communication from the gentle
named but will at proceed to prepare de
tailed statement, embodyng the evidence this subject
now in possession. copy of which will with pleas
IRE lay before the committed they inform
that they Nave organized aud are ready to act.
Very truly yours, o. C. MARSH.
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE COMMISSION.
Gen. Clinton b. Fisk, President Of the Board Of Indian
Commissioners. has been repeatedly disappointed in his
efforts 10 special commissioners to investigate the
charges made by Prof. Marsh, since the time when he
was requested to make the appointments by Secretary
Deano. position the Commission has been offered
10 five six gentlemen who have declined it, Ex Gov.
Bullock OF Massachusetts and George W. Lane Of this
city, who are mentioned Commissioner Smiths letter
to Prof Marsh hayo decided not to Gen. Fisk has
selected another gentleman to serve in place Of Mr. Lane,
but declines to give the name at present.
The following letter Of instructions has been sent to the
gentlemen who were named by Gen. Fisk, aud whom
Commissioner Smith expected to serve:
Dpp ap TsrE
AfFAiRs, WAsIisGTOS. ID. G., July l. 1879.
GENrLEMEN On the nomination OF the Chairman OF the
Board of Indian Commissioners, at the request Of the
secretary oi ihc Interior you have been oppoinedb by
HIM commission to investigate the affairs of the Red
the occasion for such Investigation has mainly orig
mated in statements made by Mr. o. Marsh, Professor
in Sheffield Scientific school. Yale College, concerning
matters which he observed while at the agency during
November last. As yet these statements have no definite
form known to the Office other than they have al-
pcaicd in the public press and rs made verbally by Mr.
In he latter part of March last. Prof Marsh brought to
certain samples Of tobacco and flour and sugar which
he said e did in accordance with promise made TO cd
Cloud in consideration OF promise by Red Cloud to pro-
for MIN into the Black Hills country for
scientific purposes H. stated that In private interview
with Red Cloud, that Indian chief complained very bit
teriy Of his agent IN many rsspests, and earn arm,
given him these "a samples OF the supplies
also stated that the beef cattle issued the Indians were
small in size. and otherwise of inferior character; and
that tn much confusion IN agency matters, cs-
pcciay in the issuing OF large amount OF goods in
single day PROT Marsh expressed his belief that there
/
the Indians for others of inferior quality while en- route
between Cheyenne and the agency He also stated that
his views IA tn agency Affairs were confirmed py CONVEX
satons with other persons around The agency.
Prof Mas. stated that he had not taken any measures
Cloud fair samples of the supplies which were then
being issued and could not say from hs own observation
that they were fair samples but that occasion.
when sack Of flour had fallen from an Indian womans
and broken Open he saw The color OF the hour As
Inv upon The ground aud thought il not much different
from sample furnished Ivy Red Cloud hut not being
judge Of -four h. could not make the comparison WIN any
nf
did not leave with me. and 1t IL presumed tat he mas
them still in his possession. i,
His other stat nents in regard To agency aDalrs arc OF
"A still more indefinite character .
Secretary OF the Interior Prof Marsh was invited by nun
reduce his statements OF frauds or irreguailtles III me
in their investigations 10 this request Prof MARSH La,
not yee re- spoidcd, has he declined IT, nave THIS
day notified him OF your appointment and again requested
Linn to furnish such statements or suggestions ~ may ad
finding the fact. TO the administration OF !ed CLOUD
H. however Prof. Marsh should stll decline to furnish
such assistance lis the desire OF the honorable Secre
fairy tha; Won proceed In tho investigation. ana avall
Yourselves % ali the means that can be foli aliet ar
irving upon the ground or before to learn the stare OF
an rs and that will, without fear or favor, invtstl-
gate ali matters pertaining Ia that agency So thoroughly
A. t satisfy yourselves beyond doubt IA to Facts upon
| and present condition and management with such
ndations AS VIII enable the Department u 'aAo
proper action in the premises
You will undoubtedly meet with persons OF strong
partisan feelings enlisted bofh for and against he adiil-
is,ratiOn OF tie present agent ahu as YOU
will become fully aware OF the nSiepcstnatlohs WHICH
4 silCll paftlSdiIslllp naturally INV
djiirulty OF discovering tho truth amid the conflicting
staten, nts and allegations. .,...
! While guarding against giving undue wcight 10 accist-
tions which originate in malice ana suspicion ohy, YOU
will net hesitate probe all questions 10 the potlohi
and hiring To light any official neglect or fraudulent or
nnf,r transactions of any kind degree, by whosO-
ever committed COPY OF Agent SavlilcS lcttcr re-
ouestiup such Investigations Is herewith fnrislcd Ior
Iuur iuoruatn also full report Of the councils he'll
with Red Cloud and delegation OF the chiefs ana h'.l
men OF Rcd Cloud Agency the Department OF Inc III
terror May - and June D.. A.. ,.o
Al CHEYENNE YOU will lind G. ii. BosWlck, the STORE
kccner oi the Government warehouse also MT Long inc
OF the -four the supplies which nave Deeh
snnned from Cheyenne led Cloud Agency during the
yrnr You are also requested while in the INDIAN couu
ry IA make sucu observations pertaining 10 Indian AZ
fairs generally at Red loud Agency as VIII DE ol dssst-
| nuce T., the ,iminstratiO Of tnc Indian Bureau.
or this Commission the Hon. ~ H. Bullock Oh worries
ter Mass il the Cdsrnlai ron WnOIn You wiz i'ScNc
untire of the time OF proceeding TO Cheyenne. -FOUR
rourusatiO while actually engaged III TINS service VIII
br al tiie rate of day addition 10 your necessary
AMI actual travelling expenses one OF th' lilos'"
stin. fnr fermentation Will be hOnOrcd ny the ticket
,yrnt of tl Union Pacific Railroad III Omaha and the
otner on yonr return at Cheyenne the weekly stage at
Laramie EN- route to Red Cloud leaves Cheyenne Oh o
day early intnc day. . a.. ., ,o,.o, ~, tho
Sour attention called TO the circular letter OF the
h. second Controller of Feb. 20, 1879, anu 20
Drurtment circular July l. 1871 for Information az
To requirements In settling Your accounts ioi cApcn'''
Very respectfully your Obedent servant, , e
To the Hon A. II. Bullock, Worcester, Mass: ueo w.
Lane NewYork City; Thomas T. Fletcher 81 LOUIS Mo-
ppop N,psrrs STATEMENT TO BIZ PREPARED
| FORTHWITH