Year: 1875

against me for libel estimating his aamages at 100000
The writ was served upon me In April 1879, when
had been summoned 10 Washington for that purpose,
although avowedy testify before committee OF Con.
gress Tho letter in every particular, and OF
course the suit has not been brought 10 trial.


~ MR WILDER HAD ONLY PRESSED THE SUIT,
and he could have been put the witness stand there
would have been revelations OF such character as 10
render these letters unnecessary. Blank vouchers
gwen by vendors OF goods, allowing the purchaser to
nh up the price AT his own discretion, were IN Mime
sofa until very lately universal that when Bishop
Whippc made n purchase for Indians he hurried back
10 the store 10 have his voucher filled up The
sorekccpcr ntimaed that he was the first purchaser
who had made that objection The frauds above re-
fcrrcd TO are but specimens Of number for which
ample testimony be produced, and as may have
my next letter refer TO frauds sales Of
pine timber, &c, will give hut one more specimen,
aud that OF very different character bill had passed.
the House Of Representatives after long debate, au
thoriZng the appointment Of six Indian inspectors, to
be under the control Of the Interior Department was
informed that the committee To- which Il referred in
the Senate refused TO make favorable report. The
reason assigned the belief that unsuitable appoint
ments would he made Having been asked by the onl-
GERS OF the Interior Department to use my influence
waited on President Grant aud he pleased TO give
me distinct pledge that no man should be appointed
an Indian inspector under that bill even II suggested
by himself, unless the Board OF indian Cor-
missioners certified that they deemed MN u
suitable man. The President further authorized mo
to say that when any inspector lost me con
hdence Of the Board of Indian Commissioners he
should be immediately removed from office. Mr.. Do
ano concurring with apparent cordlaty In this pledge,
the senate committee removed its objections and the





missloncrs had meeting and agreed with secretary
DelanO upon tho names OF certain persons who would
probably be suitable but appointment could be
made for some months, say June 80 when the law
was 10 take effect thought best To delay ina
action until near that time. Secretary Dclano made the
nominations without conference with the Board OF In
dian Commissioners and in direct violation of the pledge
given by the President and by himself Some OF the
appointees those that had received favorable con
sideration but others appointed who would have
been rejected utterly by the Board of Indian
Commissioners. One OF the latter sent to
examine the reservation which Indian
Commissioner Smith had been agent From
the report Of that Inspector, on nle in the Office,
il will be found that he did make any investigation,
and tins also knew from persons living on the rcserva
ton. Mr. Smiths successor Indian agent followed
in his footsteps but is alleged by persons that
reservation he lacked the adroness necessary to cover
his tracks. Bishop Whippc appealed to by the In
dians check that agents frauds, and he compelled
HIM to disgorge large sum of money One of the
Chippewa chiefs at public council used this biting sar
casm IN addressing that agcnt:-'You are minister
and evidently an ardent worshppcr, but observation has
taught that the only god You have Is greenback
Think of an Indian having occasion TO make such
speech to the representative of the United States gov
ernment yet fear in my next letter will be compelled
to show that the fault is not wholly nor even mainly
with the agent Yours, very respectfully,


WILLIAM WELSH


PHILADELPHIA August 81, 1875