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[[preprinted] 237 [[/preprinted]]

[[preprinted]] Department of the Interior 
OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS 
Washington, ^[[Jan. 4]], 18^[[90]]

[[boxed]] Refer in reply to the following: [[four blank lines]] [[/boxed]] [[/preprinted]]

Hon. Commr Ind. Affairs.

Sir: 
Permit me to call your attention to the one great need of the allotted Indians on the Nez Perce reservation, and that is barbed wire to fence in their lands and keep their fields from depredation by stock. You are aware how fully the reservation has been occupied by cattle. a pack of these animals are owned by the Indians, and even if the white men's stock could be successfully held off of the reservation the Indian [[insert]] herds of [[/insert]] ponies and cattle would still threaten the farms about to be opened by allotted Indians. The Indians have generally fenced in their garden spots with a seven or nine nail fence, but these fences are impractical upon the uplands, where there is no timber, and where it would take several thousand nails to enclose one allotment and even then afford