MF1323.1197 Reel 39_1133

California W525 Austin Wiley San Francisco, Cal June 4, '64

Submits suggestions in regard to the [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] of [Indian?] prisoners held in Humboldt Bay

[illegible] [illegible] July 9th 1864

[ink stamp] RECEIVED AT THE June 28 INDIAN [illegible]

Office of Indian Affairs San Francisco Cal. June 4 1864

Sir

In a communication addressed you from this office on the 1st inst, I informed you that there were about 300 prisoners (Indians) held at Humboldt Bay, and gave the reason why they could not be placed on any of the Northern Reservations since then [200?] more prisoners have been taken and more will be brought in soon. It is of the utmost importance that these prisoners be removed at the earliest practicable day and as several months must necessarily elapse before a Reservation could be located by the Department under the provisions of the recent Act of Congress, would it not be well for the Department to [direct?] me to provide a

temporary home for them somewhere south of San Francisco–Somewhere near the military Reservation about San Pedro, or on Catalina Island. We could not well take them from off the coast now because of the expense of transportation. The commanding officer, either at San Pedro or Catalina would furnish a guard for them but they would have to be fed through my department, after I had taken charge of them.

Another salutary [effect?] which would be produced by this move would be to assure the people and the troops, who have long suffered by these Indians, that a step had at last been taken in the right direction to relieve them.

Your earnest consideration of this subject is requested, and if favorably considered, transportation and subsistence must be provided. As yet I have not a dollar, nor will I have until I receive it from Washington.

Very Respectfully Your obt Sevt Austin Wiley Supt Ind Affs Cal

To Hon Wm [William] P Dole Commissioner Washington