The Seneca Man Who Wrote The Surrender Terms At Appomattox – Then Became America’s First Native Commissioner Of Indian Affairs

That is what he did.

The results were mixed and the time available was shorter than he would have had.

The Investigation and Its Aftermath

In 1870 and 1871, Parker’s tenure as Commissioner came under attack from political opponents who alleged corruption and mismanagement in his administration of Indian affairs.

The charges centered on a series of contracts for the purchase of supplies for reservation communities.

Parker had authorized the purchase of goods — food, clothing, and other supplies — through emergency contracts that bypassed some of the normal competitive bidding procedures.