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will find everything in a satisfactory condition, and be troubled only the matter of Subsistence.

  Had it not been for my expected starting on the 3rd of May and the request to be relieved from all duty connected wif [strike] with the Indians, which self respect compelled me to make, I would have taken the whole matter of feeding out of Penney's hands myself [underline] the last of April, and run the thing upon authority on file from Sherman & Sheridan and delegated to me by you, in your absence, until your return.
    I suppose that it saves trouble, however, to have Penney go on feeding in any [underline] way, as long as the Indians get something the main point is attained.  It will be hardest on the contractors who have to take Penney's vouchers instead of money as they will certainly have to get a special appropriation to pay them from Congress.
   I think you need apprehend no further trouble from the Arapahoes and Cheyennes.
   As to the Indians of what has now become your [underline] reservation, the Peneteghka & Nocoues Comanches will give no trouble but the Yapparikoes will require careful handling and even if the Costcheteghkas and Quahade's come in, I think it will be a hard matter to keep them.    The Kiowas are certainly too far out, where they can at any moment they choose, do just what they please, without your ever knowing it, but I must confess that I do not see how the matter can be remedied with the means at your disposal.   The surest way to keep them quiet will be to keep their bellies constantly full.