MF1323.1197 Reel 39_1237

California W757 Austin Wiley San Francisco, Cal Dec. 1, '64 (E)

Reply to office letter of Oct 26, last, asking explanation rel. to the reception of late Supr. Agt Steele's a/cs at this office, up to and including the 30th Sept '64

Answered Decr 30th 1864 Digest well Finance — Smith

[ink stamp] RECEIVED AT THE Dec 29 1864 INDIAN BUREAU

Office of Indian Affairs, San Francisco, Cala December 1st 1864

Sir: Your communication of October 26th, informing me that you are in receipt of late Suptg Agent Steele's accts up to and including Sept 30th, and asking explanation, was received today. With my letter of June 1st, Annual Report of Sept 1st, list of Agents and Employees of Oct 12th notices of appointments, removals of before you, it is no less strange to you than myself that Mr Steele should appear to have "continued the service under the several Agencies of the Northern District, up to the 30th Sept, the same as heretofore, paying the salaries of Agents, employees &c".

The last of the property on either one of the Reservations formerly under his control, I receipted to Mr Steele for, on the 1st day of July 1864, since which time he has not been upon, nor exercised any of the functions of a gov't officer over, any of the Reservations in this state.

My property return consolidated, will be forwarded as soon after the 31st of this month, as the receipts and issues for the different Agencies can be added, and I trust will be found "complete up to the close of Agent Steele's official acts", as well as to the close of the fourth quarter 1864.

Mr Steele's course in forwarding such a statement to you, is as inexplicable to me, as my apparent tardiness seems to be to you. What his object could have been I am at a loss to know. A list of the Agents and Employees that he carried on his papers and paid, in the third quarter, would be an object of curiosity in this office.

Very Respectfully Your Obedient Serant Austin Wiley Supt Ind Affs. Cala

Hon Wm. P. Dole, Commissioner, Washington.