10 



had long taken a deep interest in the Indians, and had had great 

 experience in the management of their affairs. lie was especially 

 interested in the efforts to Christainize and civilize these wards of 

 the nation, and he earnestly entreated me to aid him in the enter- 

 prise. His appeal in behalf of this noble work — of which so much 

 is said in the East, and so little seen in the West — moved me 

 deeply; but having no time and little inclination for such pro- 

 fessional philanthropy, I was obliged to decline. The state of 

 affairs at Red Cloud Agency in November last, to which I directed 

 his attention, he declined to discuss ; but, in the most solemn 

 manner, assured me that if I would give him all my information 

 on this point, he would at once see that the abuses, if any existed, 

 were officially removed. He manifested great sorrow that I had 

 not brought Red Cloud's samples directly to him — a service 

 which Red Cloud himself, who knew the Honorable Secretary, 

 did not ask me to perform. 



In reply to the urgent request of the Honorable Secretary for 

 the information in my possession about Indian affairs, I informed 

 him, that whenever the Commission he intended to appoint, or 

 any other Commission empowered to ascertain the whole truth, 

 should be ready, I would cheerfully co-operate with it in every 

 way in my power. 



A month later, or July 2nd, I read in the newspapers the fol- 

 lowing letter — the original of which, dated July 1st, 1874, I sub- 

 sequently received by mail : — 



"Washington, July 1st, 18*75. 



" The Hon. E. P. Smith, Indian Commissioner, sent the follow- 

 ing letter to-day to Prof. Marsh at New Haven : 



" At the request of the Honorable the Secretary of the Interior, the Board of 

 Indian Commissioners have nominated as a committee to investigate affairs at Red 

 Cloud Agency, the Hon. A. H. Bullock of Worcester, Mass., the Hon. Thos. C. 

 Fletcher of St. Louis, Mo., and the Hon. George W. Lane of the Chamber of 

 Commerce, New York ; and it is understood that these gentlemen have accepted 

 the service to which they have been invited. In preparing instructions for their 

 guidance, I have not been able to furnish them your complaints against the Red 

 Cloud Agency administration, except in a general way, as detailed to me by your- 

 self at several interviews. But I have informed them of the request of the Sec- 

 retary that you will reduce these complaints to a written statement, to be accom- 



