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Show 2 ^^Reservation which may prevent this latter consummation almost * ^indefinitely if not changed, which I would hope to be able to explain to your office in a personal interview, tliat cannot be done by letter. The present administration and its affairsks now nearing tats close;and in the nature of things,and agreeable to all precedent there will be great changes in the personnel of the inctib ming administration: And so great is the interest I take in some cherished plans (but hardly begun) for the development of these Tribes, and knowing too Hon. Corns,r that yours is equally great; that I wish before I shall be succeeded by a stranger, here, to start them so permanently that they will be carried out by my successor , whoever he may be. I say it without egotism, that absolutely no progress has been made toward civilizing these Tribes,in the last ten or twelve years, until I took charge two and a half years ago, in that time/there has been expended in improvements and changes, laying the foundation for great progress, more than five times as much in money valueas was on the reservations whenn I took charge. To properly utilitize this considerable outlay arid to insure progress commensurate therewith, is the task now before us. And. too in th& nature of things a man must be among the. Inds. two or three years, to gain that knowledge and acquaintance with their natures, and affairs as to be most efficient in |
