New York City January 24th 1881  J.H. Fairchild Esq   Dear Bro.    Your letters up to Jan 1st have just Come to hand here to day. With the work you had on hand before the Inspector Came, and the extra work he is giving you with the accumulated Care and responsibility, I have feared it would Crush you to the Earth. Do not indulge in over anxiety about the work of the Agency, or the doings of the Inspector      I have Seen the Wicked in great power, and Spreading himself like the green bay tree, yet he passed away. I, Sought him, but he Could not be found.    I know not what Report the Inspector may make of the Agency or Agent; but I probably Shall be here, or rather at Washington when Said Report is made, and as you keep me posted of his outward doings I think I Can take Care of his Report (if unfavorable) when it arrives and I get fully to understand his position. From what I gather of his doings and Sayings in the Councils, at the grist Mill, and the Cattle drive   indeed his whole bearing upon the Agency, has been any thing but manly and fair. That he Should at this time of the year Start out the   
        Indians to gather up the Cattle and to get a reliable Count in the Snow, intimating that he believed there were more Cattle than Reported, was a wrong done to me, and the Indians of the Agency. Any thing that would Create Suspicion among the Suspicious was doing a wrong to me and the Indians which would not be fully overcome in a generation   indeed it not only involved me, but to a greater or  less extent all the Employees   His visit at the Grist Mill Striving to Make out that I paid part in Money and part in Annuity goods   I knew and all the employees I think knew, that if there be any informalities in our accts; (and I know  amp; you know there have been and still are); yet the Strictest honesty has been observed. At the bar of Conscience and at the bar of God I know I am Clean. in making Change where I have been paying them money, if the difficulty in making Change would Cut them Short a few Cents, you will bear me witness, I have paid them a dime to much than a penny to little. I have always aimed and  indeed I have done in my dealings with them, so I shall not be embarrassed when the future Books are opened, and I have to give an account as Steward of the Government.  
        I will not Say my administration has been perfect, but I know it has been honest. I am glad to feel and know, there is not a  dime in Money, in goods or Chattels, that has been taken by me belonging to the Indians or the Government directly or indirectly   in this I have Clear open and aboveboard Sailing. I desire the    trial of my faith may work patience  amp; patience experience, and experience hope, and hope that maketh not ashamed because the love of God is Shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost given unto me.     Of Course I do not know what the outcome will be. My accts have with an acception or two (and these easily explained) been Settled the Inspector may Succeed, and he may not Succeed, in breaking up the whole arrangement and throw me back into the fog for years  but I think, I trust not.  I rest the whole matter of the Agency with you and the Employees. Hoping Mr Miller May Recover so we may  Ere long Start toward the Setting of the Sun and help in bearing the burdens there to be borne I remain as Ever  Yours truly, James H. Wilbur    U.S. Indian Agent