White River Agency, Colorado
July 21, 1879
Sir: In making issue of supplies, [agreeably] to the new requirements, Form 3 &c. (etc.), it will be most decidedly economical to have paper sacks of different sizes, and therefore I would ask you for 2,500 14-pound paper bags; 2,500 50-pound paper bags.
Respectfully,
N. C. MEEKER,
Indian Agent.
HON. H.A. HAYT,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C.
White River Agency, Colorado
July 23, 1879
Sir: Your circular No. 30, July 14, 1879, is received. I am now actually engaged in preparing a large breadth of ground for next year, and all the implements required are either here or on the way, except a threshing machine, which we must have, and though I have asked for it, have yet had no response.
Circular No. 31 is also received, and will have prompt attention.
Respectfully,
N. C. MEEKER,
Indian Agent.
HON. H.A. HAYT,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C.
White River Agency, Colorado July 23, 1879.
Sir: I wish special authority for the issue of extra rations to working Indians. I have made such extra issue, based on circular No. 10, [March], 1878, in which it is stated “temporary Indian laborers should be paid, in addition to full rations or their equivalent,” &c. (etc.), and circular No. 3, January 9, 1878, p.l, says: “A wide discretion left the agent as to the details and best methods of this labor.” The word “equivalent” seemed then to me an authority for giving extra rations to working Indians, while there was deficiency in the general weekly issue, to make the proper and required vouchers; and, therefore; I ask authority to issue extra rations as an inducement to get the Indians to work; and I feel that it is absolutely necessary to be able to offer such inducements, for if they who work get no more food than they who do not work, the incentive to work does not exist. It is true that they have 50 cents a day cash; but generally they who do work earn more than this, for they are good men, and some extra rations would, beside getting their working habits more confirmed, be a simple matter of justification. For then, as I have previously stated, the Indians do not attach as much value to money as belongs to it.
I would suggest, as most desirable and easiest, and most proper, that the extra rations asked for be issued by the teacher, and on the teacher’s requisition and vouchers, and they should consist mostly of rice and dried fruit, molasses, and such things as are on hand, and which have been obtained for educational purposes- -industrial habits undoubtedly being the basis of education.
Aside from this, it seems to me I might use the cash on hand derived from miscellaneous receipts, now amounting to $70, for the object herein indicated.
Respectfully,
N. C. MEEKER,
Indian Agent.
HON. H.A. HAYT,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C.