January 1st, 1881 Rev James H Wilbur  US Indian Agent   Washington D.C Dear Brother   A happy new year to you   Snow  16 inches and cold   A word in reference to  Inspector Pollock and then to the main purpose of this letter   I have had more conversation with the Ins- pector to day than ever before   I am inclined to think that unless he discovers something to lead  him to think there has been fraud   which we know there has not, his report, while utterly condemning the system of sale of annuity goods, both from the injustice to Indians, and opportunity for fraud it offers, will in no wise impugn the integrity of the Agent   I will write more fully after the  Council Monday   He talks fairly, and indicates    in short says in so many words, that he has no doubt of the personal integrity of the Agent.    I am inclined to think it is best to lay the whole system before the secretary   not mentioning the  
        Inspector, but tell all about the money received for goods and what is done with it, also that Indians are sometimes required to pay for cattle in work, and sometimes given them gratis, accor- ding as they have shown an industrious and careful disposition   I would also explain the statistics of houses and acres cultivated  amp;c    I have been careful to lay every thing before him the Inspector and I think he is now convinced there is no desire to conceal any thing. Of course this goes a great way towards settling the intent  Last week the Piutes had a council with the Inspector   I never comprehended before, fully, the nobleness of Lee Winnemucca   s character till then. While at the other Council all that was heard from Yakamas was complaints against the Agent; at this Council, not a Piute lisped a word but what they had always been treated kindly while  here. All said the Agent here had been kind to them, but they did not wish to, and would not stay. Lee spoke last   he sat on the bench, but never have I heard or read such a speech     I am pretty well seasoned, by myself the Ins- pector, and Interpreter and Indians, were all crying  
         January 1st, 1881 Rev James H Wilbur  US Indian Agent   Washington D.C Dear Brother   A happy new year to you   Snow  16 inches and cold   A word in reference to  Inspector Pollock and then to the main purpose of this letter   I have had more conversation with the Ins- pector to day than ever before   I am inclined to think that unless he discovers something to lead  him to think there has been fraud   which we know there has not, his report, while utterly condemning the system of sale of annuity goods, both from the injustice to Indians, and opportunity for fraud it offers, will in no wise impugn the integrity of the Agent   I will write more fully after the  Council Monday   He talks fairly, and indicates    in short says in so many words, that he has no doubt of the personal integrity of the Agent.    I am inclined to think it is best to lay the whole system before the secretary   not mentioning the    Inspector, but tell all about the money received for goods and what is done with it, also that Indians are sometimes required to pay for cattle in work, and sometimes given them gratis, accor- ding as they have shown an industrious and careful disposition   I would also explain the statistics of houses and acres cultivated  amp;c    I have been careful to lay every thing before him the Inspector and I think he is now convinced there is no desire to conceal any thing. Of course this goes a great way towards settling the intent  Last week the Piutes had a council with the Inspector   I never comprehended before, fully, the nobleness of Lee Winnemucca   s character till then. While at the other Council all that was heard from Yakamas was complaints against the Agent; at this Council, not a Piute lisped a word but what they had always been treated kindly while  here. All said the Agent here had been kind to them, but they did not wish to, and would not stay. Lee spoke last   he sat on the bench, but never have I heard or read such a speech     I am pretty well seasoned, by myself the Ins- pector, and Interpreter and Indians, were all crying    like babies   I never felt till then the wickedness of Gen Howard bringing those peaceful Indians here and keeping them against their will   All recognized that Father Wilbur had nothing to  do with it, and Lee had them so instructed, (or at least I think so) that not even Leggins had any but kind words for you. I feel satisfied that if the Dept refuse to allow them to return, they will go anyway   The Inspector and myself both told them, we believed it better for them to stay here, and Col Pollock plainly told them he did not think any but Lee and Sam Parrish would be permitted to return, but privately he told me, what I was already pretty well convinced of   that he thought they would go, a few at a time, till all went   I always desired to have  Lee stay, and always admired his character, but since that council, knowing that what the others said came from his brain, and seeing how different they spoke of their Agent from the Yakamas, I have felt towards him like a  brother   So far no Yakama has spoken to the Inspector but those who are somewhat un-    friendly to you, but on Monday Joe Stwire and  Stick Joe, Thas Pearn and others intend to give their version of affairs   The Council has been  twice adjourned   I hope monday will finish it   I shall telegraph, I think Monday, to you  and hope you will take no steps till you get my final impressions of the Inspector and his intentions   I have watched his every motion and word.   I think if the Dr could learn to mind his own business it might be better in some respects, but that is a lesson he will never learn, and we  must take that into consideration   I do not doubt but the Dr has been sincerely desirous of serving you, but think if he had not been so fast to tell the Inspector what a bad impression he had created, it might have been better   Perhaps though all is for the best      As the Mountains are round about Jerusalem so the Lord is round about his people   . School has now over 80 Indians   where they stow them away I cannot imagine   All desire to be affectionately remembered to you and Mrs Wilbur   Yours Truly    JH Fairchild Hereafter I will write my initials across the back of the letter   Please notice if it has been steamed open  
        friendly to you, but on Monday Joe Stwire and  Stick Joe, Thas Pearn and others intend to give their version of affairs   The Council has been  twice adjourned   I hope monday will finish it   I shall telegraph, I think Monday, to you  and hope you will take no steps till you get my final impressions of the Inspector and his intentions   I have watched his every motion and word.   I think if the Dr could learn to mind his own business it might be better in some respects, but that is a lesson he will never learn, and we  must take that into consideration   I do not doubt but the Dr has been sincerely desirous of serving you, but think if he had not been so fast to tell the Inspector what a bad impression he had created, it might have been better   Perhaps though all is for the best      As the Mountains are round about Jerusalem so the Lord is round about his people   . School has now over 80 Indians   where they stow them away I cannot imagine   All desire to be affectionately remembered to you and Mrs Wilbur   Yours Truly    JH Fairchild Hereafter I will write my initials across the back of the letter   Please notice if it has been steamed open