December 13th, 1880 Rev James H Wilbur  US Indian Agent   Washington DC Dear Brother  The new book of    Instructions to Agents    came to hand a few days ago, but I have only just had time to examine it, and find some things in it that I would like explained   Page 62 Sec. 191. directs that hereafter in the book of Receipts and Disbursements, all transactions shall be entered daily as they occur, and issues to Indians and articles fabricated  amp;c are mentioned as among the entries that must be made. Does this mean our issues of subsistance to Piutes, and the daily issues of goods and supplies to the Indians?  If this is intended, you will see at once the im- mense addition of clerical labor, in the daily entries and the transcript   It might do for  an Agency of two or three hundred, but here it seems to me almost impossible. For instance,  
        last Saturday, nearly all day as fas as two or three men could measure and weigh, and I could enter in the memorandum book, the people were calling for different articles. It took me till 10 PM to finish entering the various articles on the annuity and day-book, and the entries for that day alone were two pages of the annuity book. Now this was per- haps a little more than ordinary, but the entries will average one page each day making about 90 for the quarter, which if added to the cash tran- sactions which are now entered in the book of Receipts and Disbursements, and all of Abstract C. which has to be entered, will make an amount of clerical labor, which can hardly  be done by one man, in addition to that al- ready devolving on me   A slight examination  of the book of instructions   all I have found time to give   shows that the clerical labor of the Office is considerably increased, but the items noted above, are those that seem to me, most important.  I wish you would ascertain something definite about the character of Miscellaneous Receipts No 2. Heretofore we have entered under this head sales  
        of subscriptions to employees. As the articles of subsistence so entered, are almost entirely such as are raised on the Reservation, it would seem to me that this is proper. Please ascertain if this is right. Also please ascertain if the beef hides are to be issued to Indians, as directed in said book of instructions, or if we will be permitted, as heretofore, to sell them and account under the head of Mis- cellaneous Receipts. Every thing is moving along smoothly and well. I have visited the school and was highly pleased. The number is about 70 and new applications nearly every day. I hardly know how I am to get through with the census   My time is now so fully occupied that I hardly see how I am to take a week to instruct the enumerator, but I suppose it must be done. Let us know at least  a month before you start on your return, so that I may not send important letters to your care after you start back. All desire to be affectionately rememberd to Mrs Wilbur and yourself  Very Respectfully Yours   JH Fairchild