Subsequently, I met the Board of Indian Commissioners in 

 New York, at their request, and gave them a more full account of 

 the condition of things at Red Cloud and other Agencies that 

 I had visited. I again showed the rations Red Cloud had 

 given me, and stated to the Commissioners that, while I did not 

 vouch for these particular samples, I had no reason to doubt, 

 from all I saw at his Agency, that they fairly represented the 

 supplies issued during my visit. I gave, also, a detailed state- 

 ment of some of the frauds in beef cattle, and other supplies, and 

 showed that these had resulted in great suffering among the 

 Indians during the past winter. In answer to their inquiries, I 

 pointed out to the Commissioners the great defects in the present 

 system of supplying the Indians with food and clothing, and 

 how, in my opinion, these defects could be remedied. 



A few days afterward, the following letter appeared in the 

 public press. It explains itself. 



Department of the Interior, 



Washington, D. C, May 10. 

 The Hon. Clinton B. Fisk, President Board of Indian Commissioners. 



Sir : I am desirous of appointing a Commission from the members of your 

 Board to investigate certain reports put in circulation by a Mr. Marsh, relative to 

 the Indian service at Red Cloud Agency, and I write you to request that you will 

 consult with your Board and name to me such members of it as may be desig- 

 nated to make the investigation.. It would be well to have the Commission con- 

 sist of three members. Should you be unable to designate them from your Board, 

 will you do me the favor to recommend some other suitable persons as Commis- 

 sioners ? I desire to have the Commission named by yourself or the Board of 

 which you are President. Yours, etc. 



C. DELANO. 



Supposing that this commission would be appointed, I at once 

 took measures to obtain the testimony of those who were with me 

 on my expedition, and others familiar with the facts I had observed, 

 since I felt confident, that all I had stated about mismanagement 

 of Indian affairs could be readily substantiated by abundant 

 evidence. 



While the Sioux delegations were in Washington, in June last, 

 I had the honor of meeting, personally, on his invitation, the 

 Honorable Secretary of the Interior. He informed me that he 



