MF1323.1197 Reel 39_0041

California B261 Wm Bryson Crescent City, Cal March 24, '63 E

Enc. claim &c of McSellen, & Co. for horse hire, alleged to have been for the Indian Service

Answered May 8th 1863

Mr. Clark

See decision of Secy Interior to analogous [illegible] [illegible] to paymt [illegible] [illegible] from Indian funds

Finance Return to EA Smith

[stamp] RECEIVED AT THE May 1863 INDIAN BUREAU

OFFICE INDIAN AFFAIRS, NORTHERN DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA.

Crescent City Cala 1863 March 24th

Hon Wm P. Dole Washington City

D Sir I here with send you for examination a claim against the Goverment which debt was Contracted according to the express orders of Genl Wool whilst he was in Command of the Department of the Pacific in the years of 1856 & 7 at a time when the Military Dept was making an attempt to collect the Indians of Northern California togather and place them on Reservations the debt was contracted by Lt. Garber who was in charge of some Indians at the Mouth of Smith River (in this vally) The trouble about the act. was the qr-Master said the act. belonged to the Indian Department, and the Indian Agent said he had no funds applicable to that purpose, but I think the Indian dept has paid similar acts. boath in this state and Oragon, and why should they not pay this. Copies of this act. are on file in the office of Qr M Genl U.S. Army in Washington, considering the time the act. was made I think the charges reasonable

I am not certain but this act. should be forwarded this Supt agent but as Mr Hanson is absent I will forward it to you myself hoping it will secure attention. I am truly yours &c

Wm Bryson

Department Quarter Genls Office Department of the Pacific San Francisco Feby 25th 1858

Copy

Genl I have the honor to transmit herewith several accounts refered to this office by Lt Garber for services renderd under his direction while in charge some Indians in 1856 & 1857

As I do not consider the accounts properly belonging to the Qrs (300) Ms Dept. I have declined ordering the payment of them, and as the Supt (306, of Indian Affrs States that he has no funds applicable to the purpose, they are now by direction of Genl Clark, sent to you with the request that you will have them refered to the proper Department, should you think proper to allow their payment from the funds of Qr Ms Department

Very Respectfully Your obt Servant Thos Sword Dept Qr Ms Genl

To Majr Genl Thos L Jessup Qr Ms. Genl U S Army Washington, D.C.

B261 McLellen & Cos Duplicate account $633.50

Copy United States To McLellen & Co Dr

1856 Doll Cts Decr 31st To hire of two Horses from the 1st of Nov 1856 to the 3rd of Decr 1856. 61 days at the rate of $3.50 pr. day each 427.00

1857 Feby 28th To hire of one Horse from the 1st of January 1857 to the 28th of February 1857, inclusive at the rate $3.50 pr. day 206.50

$633.50

The animals were necessary for the purpose of enabling my men to look after and bring back to the camp those Indians who at the instigation of the settlers were constantly stealing away from the camp of friendly Indians, at the mouth of Smith River Cala of which I had charge. It was absolutely necessary to keep these Indians separate as much as possible from the whites to avoid trouble, as it was at that time - it was with the greatest exertion that I was enabled to prevent serious difficulties from occuring. It was necessary either to hire the Horses or else more men - for there were no Troops - which would have cost more

I certify on honor that the foregoing account is correct & just that the services were rendered as stated and was necessary for the Public Service

signed H H Garber 2nd Lt 4th Infty A A Q M