Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-07-14
THE POOR INDIAN.
Letter of Prof. Marsh to the
President.
The Charges of Corruption in
Indian Affairs.
The Secretary of the interior
Arraigned.
The Systematic Frauds of Agent
SaVilles

NEW YORK, July 13.-The Tribune, TO
morrow, publishes the following letter from
Prof. Marsh, of Yale College, 70 President
Grant:
Sir: In two interviews / had with yOJ
on Indian affairs, l was impressed will
your earnest desire to do justice to the In
/ dians, and with your broad and philanthrO
pic views on the whole Indian question
! This must be my excuse, as a private citi-
| zen, for coming 10 you to lay before you s
| statement of wrongs committed on the
Sioux Indians, mainly under my own
| observation, during recent visit
| to their country. My visit 10 this region
was wholly in the interest Of science, with
| no intention or wish 10 investigate Indian
| affairs. Tho frauds l observed were
brought to my knowledge by Red Cloud,
who refused to allow my party 10 enter
their lands until had promised to submit
his complaints to you i'm person. Since my
interview with you have been
informed by the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs Of the appointment
of a commission TO investigate the affairs
at Red Cloud Agency, and was invited to
lay a statement Of the facts before them.
This | am quite ready to do whenever the
commission request. ] must decline, how
ever, to give my statement TO the Interior
Department alone, for the following
reasons: l. | have no confidence whatever
in the Secretary of the Interior or COmmis-
siOner of Indian Affairs, when they publicly
announce their wish aud determination TO
correct the present abuses in Indian man
agement, because have reason TO
know they have long been aware of
these abuses and have made no sincere
effort TO reform them. 2. In all my inter
course with these two officials their object
has been TO find out, not 50 much what
the frauds actually were, as the extent of
my information concerning them, 50 as TO
prevent, by all means in their power, all
publicity or exposure Of them. 3. The
evidence now in my possession reflects IN
favOrabiy on both Secretary
DelanO and Commissioner Smith.
For these reasons / have
thought it best to lay before you, 20
whom, in accordance with my promise to
Red Cloud, l made my first cOmmunica-
ton Of the accompanying statement in de-
tail, in confidence that the evidence present.
ed wilT-meet with the consideration its i'm
pOTtance demands. In the statement which
accompanies this letter l have given the
results of my investigation into the affairs
OF the Red Cloud agency, the largest and
most important in the West. These
results clearly indicate gross mis-
management, especially in the following
particulars: First, the agent, j. j. Sayille,
is wholly untitled for his position, and
guilty Of gross frauds upon the Indians in
his charge. Second, the number Of In
dians at this agency has been systematical-
ly Overstaled for purposes which can only
result in fraud. Third, the last issue Of
annuity goods which / witnessed was a
suspicious transaction, and part at least
fraudulent. Fourth, the beef cattle
given the Indians have been in
feriOr. and, owing to systematic frauds,
practiced by the agent at the beef con
tractors. ,. The pork issued 10 Indians
during my visit was not suitable for human
fare. o. The flour was very inferior, and
evidence Of fraud in this article was con-
elusive. :. The sugar and coffee issued
were not good, although better than other
supplies. 5. Thet OblccO observed was rot
ten and Of little-Or no use. @. In cOnse-
quence Of frauA and mismanagemenL the
Indians suffered greatly during the past
winter for want Of food and clothing. 10.
The contract for freight from Cheyenne TO
Red ClOnd Agency, was fraudulent, as the
true distance is one hundred and fifty
miles, while contractors were paid for 2l2.
| would especially call your attention to
the evidence Of fiaud in beef cattle, rs
presented in the accompanying statement.
This subject | investigated with great care,
rs beef Is the principal article Of food OF
the SiOnx Indians, and the frauds L OBJ
served have caused great pecuniary loss to
the government. The statement l have
prepared is supported in. all its essential
parts by the testimony Of officers Of the
army who were with me in my expedi-
tiOns, or at the Red Cloud
agency. Among these officers \
are several personally known TO you and
all are gentlemen of high character. Should
any part of my statement be seriously ques-
toned trust you will allow these gentle
men 70 be heard. If the commanding Otti-
cers Of all posts near Indian Agencies or |
other equally trustworthy and disinterested |
observers there could likewise testify, l |
think it would be found that / have but |
family indicated the corruption peryading |
Indian allaiIs. have pUrposely confined !
myself in this statement 20 single |
agency and mainly to the time OF my
visit, without reference to much other
testimony which has come 10 Inc
in the prosecution Of my in |
quiries, showing frauds cf equal magnitude !
at other points. This corruption, which is
a constant source of discomfort and hOstili- |
ty among the Indians themselves, in my !
judgment, is a natural result Of the present |
loose aud irresponsible system Of furnish |
ing the Indians with goods and supplies
system that tends directly TO invite fraud.
l do not believe that anything but radical
change in this respect will prevent con-
tinued Generalization Of the Indian ser
vice. YOu alone have the will and the
power TO destroy thai combination Of bad
men, known as the Indian Ring, who are
debasing this service and thwarting the ef-
forts of all who endeayOr to bring to full
your noble policy Of peace.
Very respectfully your Obedient servant,
o. q. MARSH.
The letter is accompanied by long and
interesting statement, CnrrObOrating points
specified in the communication Ia the Pres
idrut.