MF1323.1197 Reel 39_0761

California C656 Hon C. Cole, H.R. Feb 8, '64

Secures W.H. Mc Grew's report concerning Indian Affairs in the North ern Dist. of Califor nia and on the Men docino Reservation also recommends him self Supt. Ind. Affs. if the two Districts are consolidated

Recd Feb 8, '64 file

Comr

C656 Judge McGrew Mendocino Indians

Having known Judge Wm. H. McGrew for many years, I endorse his statement, believing them to be correct. C. Cole of California

[ink stamp] RECEIVED AT THE Feb 3 1864 INDIAN BUREAU

Mr. [illegible]

Comr

Mendocino Indian Reservation Mendocino Co Cal. Decr 21st 1863

Hon Cornelius Cole

Dear Sir, I herewith give you a few items concerning Indian affairs, here, and in the North District, as I know them, personally, and through reliable information.

1st The Mendocino Indian Reservation, is located immediately on the Pacific Coast in size 10 miles long on the coast, by three wide. Its Southern boundary is, but includes, the mouth of the Noyo river. (I enclose with this a rough diagram of the Res) The Noyo river is 132 miles North of the Golden Gate, A large steam saw mill, is located on the North side of the river, owned by Mr A. W. McPherson of San Francisco. The mill cuts from 25,000 to 30000 feet of Redwood lumber per day, and employs from 50 to 60 hands constanly,_ I have never been able to learn by what authority Mr McPherson, was permitted to build his mill upon the Res,_ It was built since the Res was located by Col Henly, and during his administration of Indian affairs For Bragg is located one mile n of the mill,_ one co of Cal Vol, under command of Capt Wm E Hull is stationed there. The Head Quarters of the Res. is situated half way between the Fort & the mill, and a consequence is that the Indians are in constant contact with the Soldiers of the Fort, and the men at the mill– Truth compels me to say that the condition of the Indians is not improved by the contact,_

At Head quarters, there are about fory Indians, 2/8 of which are Squaws and children, and all badly diseased with Syphilis. Bald Hill Station, is 4 miles N.E. from Head Qrs, at which place is about 40 Indians mostly Squaws & children. "Bedahto" or Ten mile River Station, is on the coast, at the Northern end of the Res_(see diagram) There are between 200 and 300 Indians there. The Supervisor, (myself) and Physician (J. C. Coxhead) live at Head Quarters.– Salary of former is $1800 per year in G.B_the latter $1000,–my family consists of myself wife & three children_the Dr's wife & two children_At Bald Hill Wm Stebbins is the employee Salary $600 per year,_he has a wife & two children_At Ten mile river, E. J. Whipple is the employee, $600 salary, is a single man. The above are all the employees at present here,_some times a Fisherman is employed for a short time. All the employees with myself, when first engaged by Mr Hanson, the Late Suptnt were promised all the necessaries for our table, but it has never been fulfille by him, and in addition he failed to pay up our salaries, as they became due, so that when he went out of office, he was two quarters in arrears, with our pay, and upon the heels of that, Mr Steele, his successor rec.d instructions not to pay any debts of Hanson's, contracting salaries included,_but to have them all forwarded to Washington. We have now been waiting three months to have Mr Brown, who, it is said, has been appointed to investigate claims against the Indian Deprt_and he has not yet made his appearance_How much longer we will have to wait "God only knows"_I however have digressed_

I presume it is a "consumation devoutly to be wish'd" to keep the Indian Separate from the white man, for it is

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