OCR Text |
Show give every assurance of a plentiful harvest. My disbursements being larger than I anticipated at the close of the previous quarter, I would state by way of explanation, that it is mostly in consequence of the great influx of Indians from the eastern side of the mountains, who were in a famishing condition and came in search of something to eat. They report, that many of their children and the weaker members of their families as also many of their horses, and much of the game, had famished in consequence of the severity of the winter, and as Governor Brigham Young and agent Armstrong were both absent,the entire burden of the service rested upon myself. It also became necessary to have a substantial fence around these farms, which has incurred considerable expenditures for labor: and I would say further, that so long as the field of labor for the various offices of the Indian Service in the Territory remains in common for any or all of them to act when and where they please, it is impossible for me to estimate the amount I may have to expand in any ensuing quarter. As I have learned that the office of Indian Superintendent has been separated from that of Governor in this Territory and as the Superintendent has not yet reached the field of his labors, I take the liberty of addressing this communication directly to the commissioner of Indian Affairs, and remain very respectfully, Hon. J.W. Denver Your obedient Servant Commissioner, Garland Hurt Washington Indian Agt., Utah |