Yakama Indian Agency Fort Simcoe W.T. June 20th 1882.  Hon. H. Price Commissioner Indian Affairs  Washington D.C.  Sir,  I have the honor to inform you that a Combination of Circumstances have Made it Necessary for Me to Resign. My own  health is Not good as formerly. My age, and the Consequent infirmaties thereof    the feebleness of Mrs. Wilbur, with the  Enlargement of the work of the Agency demand the Service of a younger Man.    I write that  You May have time for Consultation, So as to Secure the right Man for the place. I had thought my Clerk J.H. Fairchild Esq would be the best Man I knew to take My place but Mentioning it to him he would not Accept the position. I perhaps May be permitted to Suggest that in appointing a New Man  
        as Agent to Retain Mr Fairchild as Clerk, would be a wonderful help to the New Agent. Appointed as he is familiar with  the papers of the Office   A Man of age and Experience. A  thried  Man   Honest, honorable  amp; Christian. I do not know a Man who Could render an agent the assential help   He has  an extended knowledge of the Indians, their homes, where  amp; how they live   is able to Converse with them and has their Entire Confidence    Knows the Issues that have been Made to them all of which would take time with a New agent and render it difficult for Him to Make a Success without Said help.  I am a Member of    the Columbia River Conference    of the Methodist Episcopal  Church. Our Annual Conference Convenes on the 5th of Augus and I request a release at that time   Not Certainly longer than the Close of September. I have been a long time in the Service have been treated very kindly by the Depart- Ment, and Shall leave the Service with   
        the kindes feelings toward all who I have known during the Many years I have been thus Engaged and Shall hold Myself in readiness at any and all times to help forward the great work of Civelizing  amp; Christianizing the Indians of the Nation.  I am Sir   Your obedient Servant   James H. Wilbur   U.S. Indian Agent.  P.S. I have written (to Rev. J.M. Reed DD informing him of My purpese to leave the Service, with a Request that he would assist in the Selection of a Man for the place   this Agency has been under the Management of the M.E. Church for the past 20 Years, and it Seems fit and proper that an Agent Should be appointed that would harmonize. We have 4 Church Edifices, and quite a large Membership among the Indians  Yours truly   James H Wilbur   US Indian Agent.