Letters of the Office of Indian Affairs, 1849-1880, California Superintendency

Eureka [H.?] Bay California November 21st 1863,

To the Commissioner of Indian Affairs Washington -

Sir I am instructed by the Indian Agent here to forward you the enclosed voucher. I presented same to him for payment, but he said I had to forward same to you, the person who signs & transmits said voucher to me. (W.S. West) I paid him nearly a year ago. I thought it poorly [illegible] to have all this trouble, however. I hope you will attend to it, the amt is small, but it is still worth looking for,

by giving attention to the above you will much oblige Your Obt Servant Thomas Walsh Merchant

George W Bowen Adm. to W. P. E. Whiting [illegible] 29th 1862

[illegible] POWER OF ATTORNEY [illegible] Montogmery Street, San Francisco

Know all Men by these Presents, That I. George W. Bowers of the County of Mendocino and state of California, administrator of the Estate of A. J. Warren deceased.

have made, constituted and appointed, and by these Presents do make, constitute and appoint W. P. C. Whiting of the city & County of San Fran cisco, State of California

My true and lawful attorney for me and my name, place and stead; To ask for, demand, receive and receipt for any and all monies or other property or payments, appropriations or funds now in the hands of J. P. & Co. Wentworth, Supt agt Southern Dist, Cal for the Indian department of said state, due, owing and belonging and [illegible] to Andrew J. Warren, deceased, formerly an employe [illegible] Nome Cult Indian reservation, Mendocino County. Under [illegible] [illegible] Indian agent [illegible] particular reference being [illegible] J. P. H. Wentworth [illegible] Cal, for the Indian [illegible], dated August 24th 1861. Giving and granting unto my said attorney full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully, to all intents and [illegible] I might or could if personally present, with [illegible] to be done, by virtue hereof.

In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Ukiah City, Mendocino Co. Cal the 29th day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty two.

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Wm. [Neely Jo??]

George W. Bower seal Administrator of the Estate of Andrew J. Warren [illegible]

[Left]

California B610 Chico Butte Co, California

Dec 4th 18[illegible] [File 1864]

J. Bidwell,

Encloses a/c for supplies furnished Indians under order of Supt. G.M Hanson - also a/c of W. Lee & Co. for medicines furnished said Indians -

Refd to Commr. of Ind Affairs

[Hallet?] Kilburn Chief Clerk Dept of Interior January 12/64

[ink stamp] RECEIVED AT THE JAN 13 1864 INDIAN BUREAU

Finance Mr Clark At Once Over

[Right]

The within accts referred to J. Ross Brown, with [illegible] per letter of Jan 10th 1864

California B641 Paschal Bequette Visalia, Cal, Dec 28, 63

Enquires rel. to [illegible] made to settlement of the a/c of Mes srs. E. G. & W. J. Campbell, of the Fresno Ind. Agency, made by 2d Auditor

Answered Feby 12, '64

Finance Mr. McCall

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

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at least afford them some security from the rapacity and cruelty of the whites, who are now driving them from their homes and from every place of refuge in which they seek to preserve their lives. Let all who molest them, within certain prescribed limits, be held amenable to military law and something may yet be done to meliorate their condition.

Arizona I have now to call your attention to the Indians in Arizona.

On the 5th of December, having desirous of rendering such service to the Department as lay in my power, I joined Mr Poston Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Arizona, and started from San Francisco on a tour of exploration through that Territory. It was expected that the Governor and territorial officers would be at Tucson, about the time of our arrival there, and that immediate measures would be taken for the organi zation of the territorial government. I was desirus of affording those gentlemen all the assistance in my power, and at the same time carrying with effect the instructions of the Department in reference to various [branches?] of the public

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service. The great importance which Arizona has recently assumed, in conse quence of its extraordinary mineral wealth, seemed to justify me in the belief that I could not employ my time more beneficially to the government and the country than by aiding in the establishment of the laws and the development of the [illegible] of the territory. The sparsity of the white population and the number and hostile character of the predominating Indian tribes, rendered it a matter of peculiar interest that the Department should be placed in possession of full and accurate nformation respecting the difficulties to be encountered in the settlement of the country; and this, I believed, came appro priately within the limits of my official duties.

Yuma Inds On the arrival of Superintendent Poston and myself at this point of our journey (Fort Yuma) it became evident that the Yuma tribe of Indians were in a very destitute condition, owing to the low stage of the river during the past season and the entire failure of their customary crops. Heretofore these Indians

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habits they are unskilled in procurring this kind of food, and many of them are in a starving condition. In some instances children have died for want of proper nourishment; and disease has spread among them with greater number than usual as it always does in seasons of scarcity. Most of these Yumas are within the District of Arizona. A considerable number, however, reside on the California side of the river. They are all connected by family relationship, and it is difficult to separate them. The total number of the tribe is variously estimated at from 1,200 to 1,500.

Upon ascertaining their condition, we deemed it advisable to call a meeting of the Chiefs at the Fort, and have a talk with them, so as to determine what could be done to afford them relief.

Pasqual, the head chief, and others were present.

The result of the interview was, that Mr Poston the Superintendent, considered it expedient to make them an issue of goods and farming utensils; in which I fully agreed with him.

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As a measure of temporary relief, in the matter of food, Col. Bennet, Commanding officer of the Fort, agreed to turn over to them 2,000 lbs of damaged hominy, which he had in store, and which was unavailable for the use of the soldiers. He has already on several occassions afforded them material assistance, and deserves great credit for the humane manner in which he has striven to relieve their necessities

Yesterday, Decr 26th, a grand council of all the chiefs and people was held, and a distribution made in due form.

Pasqual, head chief} Vincente Teharo} Subordinate chiefs Antoine Juan} were present; and after impressing upon them the necessity of cultivating the earth for a living, as heretofore, and laying up a sufficient supply of grain to provide against contingencies [like?] the present; and also of maintaing peaceful and friendly relations towards the whites now crowding into the country, the Superintendent turned over to them in separate allotments the goods and wares designed for their relief. He also

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depredation. There is no security for life or property anywhere in Arizona as yet. A military force of 3,000 men would not be more than sufficient to protect the emigration of miners and settlers that will crowd in during the approaching spring. From all quarters the most cheering news comes from extraordinary mineral [illegible]. I think some more troops ought to be sent into the country, if government can possibly spare them.

At present the garrison at Tucson consists of about 45 men. A company of 100 [illegible] this fort in a few days for the same point. Both together would not be able to take care of their own horses if the Apaches should make a raid upon them.

Mr Poston and myself leave for Tucson tomorrow, with a small [illegible].

I shall report the results of my observations from time to time.

Very Respectfully Your Old Servt J. Ross Browne

Special Agent of the Interior Dept