MF1323.1197 Reel 39_1017

[J?] [illegible] [970?] E Steele Yreka, Cal. (E) Feb [1?], '64

Submits statement rel. to his [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] to make Changes [illegible] [illegible] [requirement?] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible], [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [having?] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] Concious [Conscious?] when [loading?] [the?] [illegible] [illegible] [reg?] [illegible]

[stamped] RECEIVED AT THE Mar 5 1864 INDIAN BUREAU

OFFICE INDIAN AFFAIRS NORTHERN DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA. Unofficial

San Francisco 1864 Yreka February 1st 1864

Dear Sir Your unofficial favor of 3 Dec 63 was duly received by me, The delay in answering has been with the hope of getting some. more explicit information, from the Brysons [touching?] the monies due him

Previous to the receipt of yours I had visited Smiths River Reservation and am happy to state found the interests of the department [better?] cared for & theunseen better administration than at any other Reservation in my District

Upon entering upon the duties of my office I determind to make no changes unless the interests of the Government or the will [for?] of the Indians required it and [illegible] upon that resolution I had [before?] the reciept of your communication arranged with the Brysons to continue in his charge as Supervisor of your that Reserve. I am now pleased that, that action has accord with your wishes, Mr Hanson [has?] advised me when turning over the office [illegible] that I should be oblidged to discharge Mr B for inefficiency but I was [illegible] dissappointed with affairs under his control

Whilst addressing you unofficially permit me to state to you in the difficulties under

.which I labor in discharging my official duties

[In?] the first place I can [plied?] [duly?] with claims against Mr Hansons administration some dating back to the term of his appointment [illegible] I have nothing in my office to aid me with in certifying to or [judging?] of the corrctness [correctness?] of [claiming?] [matters?] [how?] [I?] any instructions except [upon?] [some?] matters of minor importance Mr Hanson turned over to me a cash book an invoice book, a statement in blank of accounts current, each and every of them without an entry having been made in them He also turned over a copy, (letter) book after having cut out all of his letters to the department so that the few letters he left me were inexplicable, not having his letters to which they refer. [written?] have I a [illegible] role by which I can tell who been employed in this deaprtment - You will see therefore that it is impossible for me to judge correctly of claims against the service until they are sent up [illegible] office for examination as I presume his reports will show who have been employed, who paid & who not and the purchses

Very Respect Yours E Steele Supt Agt Ind affrs N.D. Cal