The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-07-14
Prof. Marsh to tho President.


you on Indian affairs, l was impressed
with your earnest desire to do Justice L
the Indians, and with your broad ant
; philanthropiC views on the whole lndiaI
question. This must be my excuse as I
private citizen for coming again TO yol
TO lay before you statement OF tbe
wrongs committed on the Sioux Indians
mainly under my own observation durinG
a recent visit TO their country. My yisi
to this region was wholly in the interest
Of science, with no intention or wish tG
investigate the Indian affairs. The
frauds l observed were brought to my
knowledge by Red Cloud, who refused t
allow my party to enter his lands until
had promised to submit his complaints tC
you In person. Since my interview with
you upon this subject, | have
been informed by the Commissioner ol
Indian Affairs Of the appointment Of q
a committee to investigate tho affairs oi
the Red Cloud Agency, and invited to lay
a statement OF the facts before them. This
l am quite ready to do whenever the COM
mittee request 1t. / must decline, how
ever, TO give q statement to the Interior
Department alone for the following rea.
sons:
!. have no confidence whatever in the
sincerity Of the Secretary Of the Interior
or Commissioner Of Indian Affairs, when
they publicly announce their wish and
determination to correct the present
abuses in the Indian management, be-
cause | have reason TO know that they
have long been aware Of these abuses and
have made no sincere effort to reform
them.
9. In all my intercourse with these two
officials their object has been mani
testify 10 find not so much what
the frauds actually were, rs the ex-
tent OF my information concerning them,
30 as to prevent by every measure in
their power all publicity or exposure OF
them.
8. The evidence now In my possession
reflects uniavorably both on SeCy. Delano
and Commissioner Smith.
For these reasons 1haye thought 1t
best to lay before you, to whom In ac-
cordance with my promise TO Red Cloud,
made my first communication, the
accompanying statement In detail, In
full confidence that the evidence present.
ed will meet with the consideration its
importance demands.
In the statement which accompanies
this letter | have given the result OF
my investigation into the affairs
Of the Red Cloud agency, the largest
and most important one in the West.
These results clearly indicate both mis-
management and fraud, especially in the
following particulars:
!. The agent, j. j. Saville, Is wholly
untitled for his position and guilty OF
gross frands upon the Indians in his
charge.
9. The number Of Indians at this
agencyha been systematically Overstated,
for purposes which can only result In
fraud. The last issue Of annuity goods
which | witnessed was suspicious trans
action and in part fraudulent.
4. The beef cattle given to the Indians
have been very inferior, all owing to the
systematic frauds praCticed by the agent
and beef contractors.
5. The pork issued 10 the Indians dur
Ing my visit was not suitable for human
fare.
0. The -four was very inferior, and the
evidence Of fraud in this article Is con-
elusive.
7. The sugar and coffee issued were not
good, although better than the other sup
plies.
8. The tobacco served was rotten and
Of little or no account.
0. III consequence Of fraud and mis-
management the Indians have suffered
greatly during the past winter for want
Of food and clothing.
10. The contract for freight from
Cheyenne to the Red Cloud agency was
fraudulent, az the true distance il l45
miles, while the contractors were paid
for 2l2 miles.
would especially call your attention
to the evidence Of fraud IN beef cattle, as
presented In tile accompanying statement.
This subject | investigated with great
cnre,as beef is the principal article Of food
OF the Sioux and the frauds observed
have caused great suffering among them,
as we'll rs great peCuniary loss to the gov.
ernment. The statement Is prepared and
supported in all its essential parts by the
testimony Of the officers Of the army who
were with me In my expedition or at the
Red Cloud agency. Among these officers
are several personally known to YOU, and
who are gentlemen Of high character.
Should any part Of my statement be scri-
ouEly questioned, trust you will allow
these gentlemen 10 be heard. II the com.
manding officers Of all posts near the In
dian agencies or other equally trnstwor.
thy and disinterestej observers there
could likewise testify, think II would be
found that have but faithfully indicated
the corruption prevailing in the Indian
affairs have purpoSely confined my.
self In this statement TO single agency,
and mainly TO the time Of my viSit,witl-
ont reference to much other testimony
which has come to me indirectly in the
prosecution Of my inquiries, showing
frauds Of equal magnitude ut other
points. This corruption which Is n
constant source Of discomfort and hOstil.
ity among the Indians Is in my judgment
n natural result Of the loose and irrespOn.
sible system Of furnishing Indians with
goods and supplies, system that tends
directly towards fraud. | don't be.
lieve that anything but a radical
change in this respect will prevent the
continued decentralization OF the Indian
service. You alone have the will and
the power to destroy this combination Of
bad men, known as the Indian ring, who
are debasing the Service and thwatting
the efforts Of all who endeayOr 10 bring TO
full contamination your noble policy Of
peace.
Very respectfully your obcdient servant.
o. G. MARSH.
Yale Cottge, July 10, 1876.
The letter Is accompanied by long
and interesting statement cOrrobOrating
the points specified in his communication
10 the President.