2

California Sonoma June 1st. 1851

Sir,

The laws of California making it imperative on
the Magistrates in the different townships to visit and Superintend
the indians occasionally, to instruct them, abjudicate
and punish them for any crimes they may commit,
wither against Indians, or White people, as well as to protect
them from oppression has given me an opportunity these
two years past whilst acting in that capacity to become well
acquainted with their habits and disposition. We're not
aware of an Indian Agent ever having been sent to this
Northern Section of the State. Stimulate me to write these
lines for the general information of the Indian department
at Washington.

The California Indians commonly
called the digger Indians, are the most abject poor, stupid
and filthy tribe I have ever been acquainted with their
chief food consists of roots, seeds, Insects and vermin
Sometimes they hunt the Deer, Elk, and Antelope are very
abundant here. but they are slothful and indolent Seldom
hunting till forced by hunger, nevertheless they are docile
enough and will conserve with good reason & judgment
and when taught husbandry &c are very ingenious as many of them have been
on the Rancherias and in the Missions before 1826 at which
period the Missions were been Sacked by the Mexican
authorities and the Indians banished to the Mountains where
they became vagrants, thieves and idlers, and vowed
continued warfare against the White population and