Washington D. C. March 6^th 1877

Hon. Commissioner
of Indian Affairs
Washington D. C.

Sir
In compliance with the desire of
Mr. Earle, I have the honor to state,
that in my opinion, the release and
return to their tribes of a few of the
least guilty, and best behaved older
men of the Indian prisoners, with
the hope to those remaining, that
continued good conduct on their
part, as well as of those released, and
their tribes, would meet the require-
ments of justice, pacify all, and
be the greatest good just now.
If by removal elsewhere, facilities
for instruction in trades and farm-
ing could be given to the retained
younger men, so far as they are con-
cerned, they would cheerfully and efficient-
ly labor to show its wisdom, and there
ought to be no reason for denying
them privileges which are accorded
to state convicts. If this cannot
be done, there is sufficient progress
made in learning to read and speak
English, to more than justify their
detention at St Augustine for the
present.