What Was The Job Of The Indian Agent In The Old West?

The Indian agent was appointed by the federal government  to live among the Indians on the reservations. He dispensed annuities that more often that not never arrived on time. Single handedly he was supposed to restrain the legions of traders who cheated the Indians and illegally sold them whiskey. He was expected to teach the Indian how to farm in areas that were often too arid for agriculture and where the government supplied the wrong kind of farming tools. It was also the agent's job top keep the white settlers off the Indian's land. However, he was practically powerless to do so, since the government steadily undermined his role by giving in to the demands of land-hungry settlers. For this thankless job, the land agent was paid less than a postmaster. Not surprisingly, most agents were ineffective at best and down-right dishonest at worst. The few who were committed to the job ultimately failed.