White River Agency, Colorado
July 7, 1879
Sir: As the only weighing scales we have for weighing supplies will weigh nothing than half a pound, and as the new method of issue demands weight less than half a pound, I would ask you to send scales suited for the requirements.
N.C. MEEKER,
Indian Agent,
White River Agency, Colo.
Hon. E.A. Hayt
Commissioner
White River Agency, Colorado
July 7, 1879
Sir: I [enclose] herewith proposals of Messrs. Clements, Leadville, Colorado, for constructing agency buildings. They are indefinite that I cannot see how they can form more than a basis, and as I do not know whether it was necessary the contract should be closed before the 1st of July, 1878 and as I did not know whether there were $6,000 or $4,000 available, since $2,000 of the removal fund was appropriated last quarter, and after you had stated there was only $6,000 I could not see my way to enter into any contract, and, therefore, I submit the proposals, the only ones received, for your actions.
If the undertaking is still to be considered as open, I have to say that the sum of $6,000 is not sufficient for constructing the buildings, and that this is the reason why no more bids were received. The Messrs. Clements are acquainted with this country, and it will be seen that in effect this bid considerably exceeds the $6,000.
The question remaining with me is, whether, if anything now can be done, a part of the building can not be constructed; say, the ware-house and school-house, letting the agent get along without; or at least the school-house, costing $2,000. If education is to [be] entered upon with any reasonable chances of success, there must be a suitable building, both to secure needed conveniences, and to command the respect of the Indians, which the log house wholly fails to accomplish.
N.C. MEEKER,
Indian Agent,
White River Agency, Colo.
Hon. E.A. Hayt
Commissioner