TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: 



Sir: In November last, while on a geological expedition to 

 explore the " Bad Lands " south of the Black Hills, I was obliged 

 to pass near Red Cloud Agency, and was detained there several 

 days by the opposition of the Sioux Indians. In endeavoring to 

 propitiate the Indians, and obtain their permission to proceed with 

 my party, I held several councils with Red Cloud and his principal 

 chiefs, saw the issue of Annuity goods, and provisions, and had 

 other opportunities of seeing the actual state of affairs at this 

 important Agency. I found the Indians in want of food and 

 clothing, greatly dissatisfied with their agent, J. J. Saville, and 

 strong in their belief that they were systematically defrauded of 

 the goods and supplies sent them by the government. In one 

 council, attended by nearly all the prominent chiefs, Red Cloud 

 made specific charges of fraud against the agent and contractors, 

 and urged me to make this known to the Great Father, and to 

 carry to him samples of the rations the Indians were then receiv- 

 ing. Mainly to gain consent for my expedition to proceed, I 

 made Red Cloud the promise he desired. Soon after, he gave me 

 samples of flour, sugar, coffee, and tobacco, to show to you, assur- 

 ing me that they were the rations he himself was using, and fair 

 samples of those lately issued to his people. 



