MF1323.1197 Reel 39_0872

California H757 H.E. Hamblen Yuba City, Cal April 12, '64

Submits statement rel. to a settlement of his claim for cattle furnished to Late Sup Agt. Hanson for the Indian Service

Yuba City Apl. 12th 1864 Hon W.P. Dole Coms. Ind. Affs Dr. Sir, After having seen a copy of your instructions to Supty. Agt. Steele to "examine into the nature & character of the purchase of cattle for the Indian service made by Agt. Hanson &c &c," and if the cattle purchased was found all right, to pay me for said cattle - I immediately returned the Goods to Hanson, (he agreeing to account for such Goods as had been disposed of) and I addressed Mr Steele at Yreka asking for payment, but received no money or even a [promise?] and last week I met him in Marysville when & where he plainly told me "he would not pay me until the Goods disposed of were accounted for," Had I supposed to meet such treatment I would have kept & disposed of all that Hanson let me have, which would have paid at least half of my claim, but I had confidence from the instruction so plainly given that I would get my pay immediately. When I sold & delivered those cattle at Round Valley the Agt. was to pay the money down when "Green backs" were worth 84 cents to the dollar here, now they are worth 59 or 60 cents a clear loss of nearly $2000- for crediting the Govmt. for 8 month with out interest - Again I was the lowest bidder at $4.75 per cent, now I could sell every pound here for from 5 to 7 cts per lb in Gold coin equal to 8 or 9$ in Green

backs, If this is the way your Agents in California are allowed to treat Loyal men who furnish Govmt supplies, the sooner a change of such men take place the better for all concerned. I think Hanson will not agree to settle with Steele on the terms he (Steele) has proposed, & hence I must continue to go without my money & live on the depreciation of the currency & the hope of your special & more positive instructions to your Agents here, Hopeing [Hoping] to hear from you soon I have the honor to be yours respectfully D,E, Hamblen