Department of the Interior,
Office of Indian
Affairs,
June 27, 1879
Sir: In reply to the inquiries contained in your letter of the 15th instant, relating to privileges of contractors who are about to erect agency buildings on your reservation, I have to advise you that the furnishing to them of timber from the reservation, the use of mill in sawing the same, procuring lime and hay or other natural products, the use of agency mowing-machine in cutting the hay, for smith-work done or the use of smith-shop and tools, in fact any materials furnished or facilities afforded them in the prosecution of the work under contract, should be considered in making the contract, or, if not made a part of the contract, thereby reducing the gross sum to be paid for the construction of the buildings, should be charged for at commercial rates, and the proceeds thereof covered into Treasury, keeping separate that portion derived from the sale of natural products of the reservation from the amount arising on account of use of mowing-machine, smith-shops, etc.
Respectfully,
E.A. Hayt
Commissioner
N.C. MEEKER,
Indian Agent,
White River Agency, Colo.
Department of the Interior,
Office of Indian
Affairs,
June 27, 1879
Sir: I [enclose] herewith a letter received from Agent Meeker, of the White River Agency, Colorado, dated the 15th instant, in which he reports that about twenty acres of wheat have grown at the new location of his agency, this season, and next year a much larger acreage will be sown; he therefore requests a thrashing-machine be furnished him, and I have the honor to request that this office be authorized to purchase one, to cost not exceeding $409, and to ship it to said agency.
Respectfully,
E.A. Hayt
Commissioner
N.C. MEEKER,
Indian Agent,
White River Agency, Colo.
Department of the Interior,
Office of Indian
Affairs,
June 27, 1879
Sir: The list here with [enclosed] comprises the articles for which you, or your predecessor, estimated for use, at your agency during the fiscal year 1880, and which have not been purchased under contract by this office; and you are advised that the honorable the Secretary of the Interior has granted authority for you to expend not to exceed $243.60 in purchasing them, in open market.
When the blanks, upon which to make estimates of goods and supplies for said fiscal year, were forwarded by this office, advice was given that every article which would be required at your agency should be estimated for, thereby avoiding any necessity for exigency or open market purchases. In view of this fact you are now informed that all such transactions will hereafter be strictly prohibited, except in case where an unforeseen exigency can be shown to exist, of which this office will be the sole judge. Any violation of this order will be subject the agent to a charge against his official bond of the amount so expended.
Respectfully,
E.A. Hayt
Commissioner
N.C. MEEKER,
Indian Agent,
White River Agency, Colo.
