Rivet-bound manuscript DS, signed “J. M. Stone,” five pages both sides, 7.75 x 12.5, December 21, 1868. Report of Indian Agent J. M Stone in reply to charges made by Wabashaw, Wakute, and Big Eagle, concerning a violation in a contract for delivering rations. In part: "I will say in regard to this complaint and in justice to myself and the contractor Mr. F. J. Dewitt, who has been furnishing subsistence for the Indians of this Agency for the past two years, that at no time during that period have we been without supplies at the Agency to subsist all the Indians…In accordance with the wishes of the Indians their rations of Beef and Flour have been issued to them on Monday and Thursday of each week. This has been done regularly for the past two years, except during one week early last spring when our flour on hand was running low…As to the intimation that I am in any way interested in the proffits of the Contractor it is utterly false and absurd. I am not…The supposition that I am interested in any other way is not entertained by one among every hundred Indians in the Tribe and with those who made the Statement it is but a groundless suspicion talked into their heads by designing White men and Half-breeds such as may be found hanging around the outskirts of every Indian reservation trading whisky and exercising every conceivable demoralizing influence upon the Indians." He goes on to address other concerns related to the subsistence contract, including some inconsistencies and misconceptions related to the delivery of cattle and their fodder. Signed at the conclusion in ink by J. M. Stone, and further certified by a missionary. In fine condition.
