MF1323.1197 Reel 39_0819

California H557 Geo. M. Hanson Virginia City Nor. Terr. Dec 23, '63

Reply to Office letter of tis 25th Sept. last informing him that Sup. Agt. Steele, had been instructed to pay for cattle purchased, and the employees of the Reservation up to the 30th June

Ausd Jan 30, 1864

[ink stamp] RECEIVED AT THE JAN 26 1864 INDIAN BUREAU

Comr

Va City N. Ter Dec 23, 1863

Hon. Wm. P. Dole

Sir

Some two weeks since I recd a letter from you informing me that upon the rect of my letter of 25th of Sep last you enclosed a copy of it to Mr. Steele my successor with instruction to pay Mr. Hamblen for the cattle I had purchased from him also the employees on the Res. from the 30th June last & as soon as I recd this letter I had the goods which I had previously turned over to Mr. Hamblen as part payment of his claim, reshipped to Marysville or Sac. City in view of turning them over to Mr. Steele.

I regret exceedingly that Mr. Steele was first instructed not to pay the pruchase I had made, & that he was informed that the U.S. was "not liable for purchases made by me without authority of your department" & (a copy of which letter Mr. Steele furnished me.)

Knowing very well I could not sue the U.S. I at once determined to take a position as far as possible in the defensive, and hence delivered the remainder of the goods on hand to Mr. Hamblin & wrote to Mr. Bryson not to turn over the 19 horses which I had purchased with money obtain from him my son & other employees on that reservation for the use of the U.S. & had given them checks in lieu, to present when the money for the 3rd qr. arrived--& which cause to Mr. Steele:_Had that money come to me, I could have squared off all the liabilities I had incurred before leaving the office, the only thing I have to regret.

In all my official acts I have done the best I know how to forward the interests of the Indian service, & have made large personal sacrifices to its promotion.

I have no doubt in many instances I have paid out money without being as strictly technical or properly guarded against "exception" taken at your office as I should have been: but I do assure you in no one

instance have I paid out money that was unjust or wrong except a claim of Dugan & Wall which was paid twice, & which they have promised to return to me, also the claim of Goodspeed for one qr. two sets of voucher which was an error of my own - No instructions had ever been given me saying I was not vested with authority by virtue of my office to make such purchases as I thought the service needed & I acted accordingly.

The portion of the goods disposed of of course I will charged with & the rest my certificates of Issue & my successor receipt will allow me a Qr for. I shall now request Mr. Bryson to turn over all the Horses &c to Mr. Steele, believing that your office is disposed to settle the outstanding claim & not held be personally liable for the same. Please answer me at Yuba City Cal.

I have the honor to be Yr Obt Sevt G. M. Hansen Late Supts Agt Ind Affs &c

I want copy made of all letters to Supt Agents Steele and to J. Ross Browne relating to the settlement of Agent Hanson accounts.

I want these copy sent to G. W. Hanson with the information that this is no dispositive to [embargo?] the settlement of his accounts. That it is the rule of the Office when a Supt or Agent is required to have his accounts forward here for [appointment?] and not allow a new appointee to pay account debts until they are submitted to a proper investigation That he must have no aprehension that the payment of any major indebtedness made by him, if however he has more debts beyond the appropriations or if he has not the funds for in advance of the appropriate [quarters?]