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California W8 J. P. H. Wentworth San Francisco, Cal Entd Dec 3, '62

Submits statements in reference to the Indians of his Districts inhabiting what's known as the Owens River Country Recommends his apprpriations of $30,000 for the purpose of establishing a Reservation for them &c

Ackd Jany 13th 1863 See Report of Same date Copied File

[ink stamp] RECEIVED AT THE JAN 5 1863 INDIAN BUREAU

Land

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Office Supt Indian Affairs Southern District of Cal December 3d 1862

Hon Wm. P. Dole, Comr Indian Affairs Washington, DC

Sir, I desire to call your attention to the Indians of my District inhabiting what is known as the Owens River Country, lying on the Eastern Slope of the Sierra Nevada- I desire to make an especial report on the condition of those Indians because they need the attention of the Government most and have received it less, than those of any other portion of the State.

On my return from Washington last May, I found the Southern Country filled with apprehension of a destructive Indian War, threatening to desolate the sparsely settled region, bordering on the Great Desert- already has=

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-tilities had commenced, and Several victims had fallen, before the United States troops ordered by General Wright, arrived at Owens River. As soon as I could arrange the affairs of my office, I started to the scene of difficulties, accompanied by one of my Supervisors, Mr. Godey (an accomplished Interpreter), taking with me a quantity of annuity goods, provisions &c for distribution amongest them- On my arrival I dispatched runners to the different tribes, inviting them to a council, and was happy to find my call readily responded to - After telling them of the folly of endearing to appease the Government - that was disproved of aiding them, and assuring them that while any indication of rebellion would meet with prompt and severe punishment, good behavior would insure its fostering care, I found them wishing to live in peace, and anxious to ease hostilities if the Government will only afford them protection and means of support.

The past winter

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was one of unusual severity. Game upon which they subsisted in former years, is fast disappearing with the encrouchments of civiliza= =tion, and although the General Land Office has withheld from sale a reservation for these Indians, much of the best portion of it has been settled by whites, and the Indians driven off.

I laid off a reservation of about six townships, bounded by the Big Pine Creek on the north, George's Creek on the south, Owens River on the East, and the Sierra on the West. - the amount of land will seem large for the number of Indians, (about 2000), but it must be remembered, that it is only in small spots that it is susceptible of cultivation, the balance being scarcely fit for grazing purposes, and none of it attractive to settlers - placed on a Reservation where the agents' author= =ity is respected by the emigrants, and where they know they are secure from inter= =ference, and are treated with kindness, exp= =erience has demonstrated, there is no dif=

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=ficulty in managering the Indian - the troubles in this State have always arisen outside of the Reserves.

Should the Depart= =ment agree with me, as I trust it will, (for I see no other way of keeping those Indians quiet) I hope it will recommend to Congress the immediate appropriation of 30,000 dollars for the purpose of en= =abling one to establish this reservation - that sum judiciously expended in the purchase of seed, stock cattle, mules wagons, ploughs &c. would place those wretched people beyond the necessity of stealing for a livelihood, and would relieve the Government from any further expense for their support, as well as dispense with the necessity of maintain= =ing an expensive military past, in a country, where everything has to be hauled a distance of 300 miles, over a sandy road, with water ony at long intervals and every obstacle to surmount which

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