Fort Gibson, Indian Territory,
February 11, 1871.
SIR: We enclose herewith application for pension of Richard Humphries, guardian of minor child of Fox Holt. A former claim was made in which Sealy, herself a minor child of the soldier, was made guardian, No. 129,946. She has since died, and we transmit original papers herewith. We are not disposed to recommend the allowance of guardians’ claims in general, as we believe that in most cases the money is misapplied. In this case, however, the applicant is a negro, and appears to be a steady, industrious man, as also his witnesses, all speaking English fluently, telling what they know candidly, and evidently impressed with a sense of their obligation to speak the truth under oath. The testimony is as good as can generally be obtained in this nation; and if such claims are to be admitted upon similar evidence, we recommend the allowance of this.
Very respectfully, yours,
GEO. E. WEBSTER,
F. E. FOSTER,
Special Agents of United States Pension-Office.
Hon. H. VAN AERNAM,
Commissioner of Pensions.