New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-12
OFFICIAL SUPPORT TO PROF. MlRSH

IMPORTANT DECLARATIONS BY THE FIRST CHAIRMAN
OF THE INDIAN COMMISSION.
From letter by NE Hoo VIM Welsh ." fH''1f'tPh'a r,~r
Before the Commission was convened, two OF
IL number were requested TO xGne the Se"'is lh 'ew-
YORK purchased for Indians ate, pi''lf
Messrs stuart and Dodge expressed thoir Willingness
10 perform this service and the procured vacant ware
house In which examine the goods free ~ cost '" my
Government When the Ring then ~ NV" lofA, h'aru
that supplies for Indians pas, through such an or
deal they dispatched Gen Parker the then COMMISSION
get the President 20 have the goods sx.
amiued i'll the warehouses ~ thc prcnas1rs inls
from the Commissioner that the delay for exam mai on
elsewhere would he too great Mcssrs stuart ana Dhse
OF course refused to conduct examination where the
goods might he changed the next moment. The board
was frat convened the 18th OF May, 1859, hut no
joint control any part of the inaan Appropriation
was inrusted to IT,
Before the next meeting notified the President Of my
umw ingness the commission that he bad sent
mo- but assuring him OF nv continued interest in Inian
civilization, and OF my readiness rs private cithcn
to render scve service at my own cost was a an.
wiling to incur the responsibility Of the cilse
without the only power TO correct anS's ,s a,
ted the act of Congress also ie that could no.
with prOpriey hold free lance as long as wss an o
OF the Government by former colleagues crred
the appointment ot Vincent Coyer the Indian Tom
mission and he acted IT. secretary ard executive Sn
Mr. Collyer by familiarity WITH indas On 's s
reservations, and by residing In Washington SOON TT
retcd the frauds that the present Secretary OF .pe
Interior seemed unwilling To check. lie was 90 out
spoken that Mr. Deano demanded his removal ana III an
evil hour The Board consented TO IT, Mr. X Cree, inc inc
next secretary, also placed under the ban ana MS
resignation demanded but not acceded to by the Boru
with the Inferior
became 80 apparent that the Boart eventually took
firm stand rejecting than half million Of dollars
OF vouchers because they illegal or tainted VITA
Chairman OF tho Board. Felix Bruno sont their ec.
drntal clerk samuel waor TO Red Cloud ana spotted
Tail Agencies ascertain the extent o. when suus
had been practced His report fully confirmed the &c
ton OF tho board and II has since been fully sstanen
by tho testimony OF army officers well rs by your
report. when Mr. Drlano heard OF this investiya
ton, made without his knowledge, he wrote an
Insulting letter to Mr.. Brunot tsee fhe Herald of
July 3d. 1870, and united with Gen Cowan the Assist
ant Secretary tine Interior in effort 10 destroy tho
force OF this truthful testimony by mayning the chsrac
sioners The prosecutions OF Mr. Walker by Mr.. Deano
aud Mr. Cowan have been malicious as To make al
most incredible that high In Office could stoop SO
low in an effort 10 hinder the force Of truth by defamnX
reliable officer representing tho PRESIDENTS Board
Of Indian Commissioners. The removal VI Mr.
Walker was demanded by Mr. Delano. but refused
by the Board Because he had been faithful aud
competent no continued with then, until the org
inal members resigned. When these original men-
beers Of the Board lost confidence III tie officers OF ho
Interior Department and perceived that they had ~
power ~ restrain wrong donS they surrendereI tne1
commissions Another Board has since been appointeo
pears be in full accord with secretaries Delano ane
20 produce any reform I'm It's tnnocency even doupts
the existence OF any Indian Rngi VIII examine care
fully documents in my possession bearing on MT.
Walkers character aud give the result IN an open
10 the President. as Mr. Cowan has just reviewed ms
belous attacks weaken the foUe of your TESTIMONY
Yours truly, WILLIAM WELSH, No. l.l22 6pruces~
Phaldelphiu. Aug. 0, 1873.