MF1323.1197 Reel 40_0543

California W485 Austin Wiley San Francisco, Cal Dec 15, '64

Ack. receipt of office letters of [illegible][illegible] and states the necessity for funds for the Indian Services

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[STAMP] RECEIVED AT THE Jan 16 1865 INDIAN BUREAU

Finance [name?]

Office of Indian Affairs San Francisco, Cal Dec 15th 1864

Sir:

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your two letters of November 12th, one approving my course in regard to the collection of the Indebtedness of the government, and the other relative to delay in the remittance of funds [illegible]

The misunderstanding in the latter arises from an error in copying my letter of 4th Oct. Your letter of 28th July remitting $2757.54 is the one I intended to refer to and not the one of 23rd June. The funds were received on the 8th of Oct and the amount being small were soon disbursed. Since that time I have received no money and am again sorely in need.

While readily perceiving that you are not responsible for the delay, the fact is equally apparent that it leaves me to choose between incurring an odious indebtedness, or neglecting some of the Indians under my charge.

The purchase of goods and supplies upon the credit of the government is attended with very great disadvantages.

and is extremely poor policy if it is possible to avoid it.

If I could purchase for cash it would be a great saving financially, and very much to the advantage of the government in every respect. If I can not there is no alternative and I must do the best I can in securing favorable credit and in keeping the indebtedness of the service as nearly within the bounds of my appropriation as possible.

Very Respectfully Your Obt Servant Austin Wiley Supt Ind Affs Cal

Hon WM. P. Dole Commisioner Washington D.C.