MF1323.1197 Reel 41_0027

California B190 Hon J. Bidwell Washington D.C. July 20, 1866

Enclosed letter from claimants for property in Hoopa Valley, Cali

See letter to Hem J, Bidwell [Hour ?] of Refer. Aug-9-[illegible] File Stamp [illegible] July 2 1866 Indian Land

Washington D. C. July 20, 1866

Sir

I have the honor to enclose herewith a communication from certain claimants for property in Hoopa Valley, California. It seems to me but just that those claims should be settled.

I have the honor to be Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt J. Bidwell

Hon D. N. Cooley Com. of Ind. Affs.

Aveate Humboldt County Cala Hon John Bidwell June 8th 1866

Sir The undersigned late residents and property owners within the limits of Hoopa Reservation by leave to present for your consideration some facts and suggestions touching their interests in Hoopa Valley. You are doubtless aware that Hoopla Valley was selected by Austin Wiley late Superintendant of Indian Affairs for this State, for the purposes of an Indian Reservation. By his order we were required to yield possession of our farms and homes, under circumstances, which left us no alternative but compliance or armed resistance to seek new homes and occupations elsewhere. Believing that headed by lawful authority we complied. By his direction also an appraisal was made of our property, amounting in all to about $58.00 for all the property appraised in the Valley. This appraisal was made upon a coin basis, but when paid, to be in currency, at the then ruling rate of 50 cts on the (gold) dollar.-or about $117.000 the settlers to take the chances of the rise or fall of currency. An appraisal of $60.00, was made to cover this appraisal, but owning to some misunderstanding was not payaable in coin. Subsequently [illegible name], Mattly & Stockton were directed to appraise the same property anew, and this new task they performed, by cutting down the first valuation, so as to bring it within the sum appropriated, that is to say, first one half meantime since the Valley was first taken possession of by Superintendant Wiley, many of the former

settlers having surrounded all the property they possessed upon the assurance of prompt payment have been verily waiting for the payments of money already appropriated, and compelled to seek a home and livelihood in other places; and not only this but by the unjust action afterwards taken, they have waited thus long for one half of what was at first promised if they would surrender their property peacably It would be a waste of words to enlarge upon the hardships of such a care.

We therefore appeal to you as one of our Represenatives in Congress, to intercede in our behalf, and to use your influence with the proper departments, to have the money to which we are more than justly entitled, paid to us without further delay.

With assurances of great respect we subscribe ourselves G.W.B. Yocan William McScott TG Campbell R. J. Walker T.G. [illegible]

D.2.O J A June 16th 1866

Therewith enclose vouchers of Burr & Douiran for 300, William Bryson for $900, William Bryson $450, and Anson Burr for $133, William P. Henson for $253 and J.G. Alexander for $70.00, for your examination.

After you have made an examination of these vouchers and having satisfied yourself of their correctness, you will request William Bryson and any others that may be in possession of checks, received from Agent Hanson for any of the above service rendered to deliver them to you, together with the balance of each set of assigned of the vouchers, before making payments. If in the event the completed sets cannot be produced you will require from each of the claimants failing to produce them, and affidavit as to them supposed [dishonoration?], and require them to file a band of indemnity in the sum of double the amount to be fair