White House Press Release, Correspondence Between President Harry S. Truman and William A. Brophy

207 1663 IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 5, 1948 The President has sent the following letter to the Honorable William A. Brophy, accepting his resignation as Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior: 03 June 3, 1948 My dear Mr. Brophy: On March thirtieth Secretary Krug transmitted a letter of resignation as Commissioner of Indian Affairs which you submitted for health reasons. In the meantime, I am advised that you have improved to an extent that you now feel able to undertake employment that would be less taxing on your physical energies than the Commissionership, and that the Secretary proposes to assign you to a field position where your experience will be valuable. I would be reluctant to accept your resignation under other conditions since your administration of the Office of Indian Affairs has been marked by a spirit of humanity and a genuine interest in the progress of the Indians. In the circumstances, however, I am accepting your resignation to become effective this date for the purpose of transfer to another position in the Indian Service. We need to make much further progress in our efforts to bring all the Indians to full participation in our national life, and I am glad that we shall still have available your advice and counsel. You have my best wishes for continued improvement of your health. NARA Very sincerely yours, HARRY S. TRUMAN Following is the text of Mr. Brophy's letter to the President: December 31, 1947 Dear Mr. President: It is with deep regret that I am compelled to inform you that my health will not permit me to carry on fully the vigorous work that must be done by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs if the Indians are to be protected in their treaty, civil and property rights. I ask you, therefore, to relieve me of my duties. It has been gratifying and a great inspiration to me that in the midst of momentous world events you have not dismissed the Indian's problems as unimportant, but, on the other hand, have given them a large share of your attention. The Indian Claims Commission Act which you approved is not only a fine example of our will to do justice to all and a land-mark in the Government's relations with Indian Tribes, but it re- emphasizes a fundamental premise which distinguishes our Govern- ment from the totalitarians. Permitting, as it does, independent judicial proceedings against the Sovereign, it protects the citizen against any inadvertent act of injustice by the Govern- ment. Without your support, this measure would not have been passed. To have been a member of your Administration is an honor and a privilege which I appreciato to the fullest extent. (OVER)