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

Red Blufs Nov 10th 1863

Hon John Conners

Dear Sir

At the request of an old and [sentry?] friend of ours. We write you in relation to a claim he has against the Government, In April 1862 Mr Hanson then Supt of Ind Affairs for the northern district purchased of Mr. Cammack about 150 head of cattle at $15. per head which were then taken to Round Valley Reservation for the use of the Inds. Also a further lot of 120 head were delivered at the same place in Sept following, Mr. Cammack lived adjoining us and we know all about the transaction that the cattle were sold by him in good faith and Hanson told me that he would have the money for him in a short

time, and we feel confident that the [illegible] were sold at low figures and with the expectation of receiving the money for them in a short time. Mr. Cammack is an honest hard working industrious man entirely unacquainted with the trickery and rascality that sometimes is practiced by Govt officials, therefore he took all that Hanson told as truth, we are entirely uninterested in the transaction except to represent to you fairly as we knowit to be the just and agreeable demand which Mr. Cammack has on the Govt for his cattle, after you are fulley [fully] satisfied that one of our best citizens has been swindled and wronged. We know by your past history that all that you can do to asist the [illegible] [illegible] injured will meet your hearty endorsement and assistance

Very Respectfully Yours E. A. Stevenson J. W. Burgess

2

can have it made right I also send a letter from James Short Late Supervisor at Round valley GM Hanson removed him Mr Short is well acquainted with the President A. Lincoln he bought his books for him when he first went to Illinois and rendered him all the assistance he kneeded [needed]. There is not an honest er man on the earth than James Short nor a better man at heart living was sorry he was not kept by Mr Steele he may not be suitable for the position but I think he would be the best man for the place as he will feed and clothe the Indians as well as he can

I sent a claim to Hon Dole Com of Ind Affairs at Washington for a home for (150) one hundred and fifty dollars that was killed taking a telegraph [illegible -er the distance of twenty miles see James Shorts certificate - Those Oregon war lords exchange for U. S. Bonds the claims look high but you know the

best of transportation to the Unpaqua River & country in Oregon as at the time these Bills were made packing was very high and [congruently?] [illegible] for a [illegible] was high do the best you can for me & will be your humble servant besides [illegible] if you have any trouble

Respectfully yours J. M. Cammack

Please write in care of R. A. Casey Sacramento City J. M. C.

Sacramento City Oct 19th 1863

Hon. John Conness Washington City D. C.

I supposed you are annoyed with other peoples Business but I hope where they have been wronged as much as I have you may never [illegible] as that is the separation year, beef I sold in April 1860 and delivered were late in July 1862 of one hundred and fifty two herd of cattle at ($15) fifteen dollars each one lot in Sept 1862 of one hundred and twenty seven head at fifteen dollars each Mr. James Short the Supervisor of Round Valley Reservation paid those two lots of cattle on the Round Valley Reservation and thirty five head came killed and issued to the Indians at Nome Lackee Indian reservation for [illegible] [illegible] contracted to give me fifteen dollars each, the Cattle Stations delivered at Round Valley they

commanded killing and issuing to the Indians the same evening that they were recd and before they commenced Branding they then Branded the Remainder with U. S from the time he bought the cattle he was to pay on delivery until I was to deliver the first lot and then told me that government was in trouble cost and the money would be on hand in those months from Washing ton after the cattle were delivered to government he said I would have to wait for the government to pay which would be in a short time I know he came from Washington he said that he had thirty five thousand dollars of [young] -pricated and the money would be here in a short time and he has Kept me waiting ever since when Mr. Steele was appointed he said the money would be here in a few weeks and my Claim being among the oldest would be paid. Steel says he cannot pay the Claim as I will have to go to Washington

I also have some Oregon war [story?] that I want to get United States Bonds in exchange for amounting to $508, I wrote to Indian Commissioner Dole and sent him an account account again -st the government for a horse that I loaned J. B. Clask who had charge of Nome Lackee Indian Reservation to take a [illegible] Dispatch to Tehama the distance of twenty miles in the summer pf 1862 and the horse died shortly after we return-ed the horse was worth one hun dred and fifty dollars ($150) I send this letter to John W. Burgess & E. A. Stevenson formerly of Eldorado County now living in Tehama County so that they may say to you that I sold the cattle in good faith and that I ought to be paid (do not send the money to G. M. Hanson). Please send the money to me at Sacramento City or so I can draw the same at San Francisco I send you the voucher with Hansons Certificate

at the time I sold the cattle Legal tenders was not issued and I would have lost money if I had gotten my money at the time that I delivered and to wait nearly two years in California where money is worth so [received?], I will not [illegible] more than one half the worth of this cattle you will do me greatest favor to so that I get my money for which I will be under many Obligations

Respectfully yours J. M. Cammack

Fresno County California February 12th 1864

Wm. P. Dole Esq Comr. Ind Affs

Dear Sir

Inclosed herewith You will please find, Warrant No. 4314, dated March 23rd 1863, for $42.18/100. Issued to me in consid eration of the balance due for supplies furnished Fresno Indian Agency, Which Warrant owing to its having remained in San Francisco such a length of time before I was a ware of its being stuck pass'd the age of Six months, before presented to Exchange for the Legal Tender Notes. Consequently rejected,

You will therefore Please do me the favour, to cause another Warrant or Duplicate, to be Iss ued, and forward to my address.

Millerton, Fresno County Califor nia, and very much Oblige,

Your most Obedt Sevt T J Carmack

Attest M B Lewis Late Sub Ind agt

Senate Chamber Washington - May 28th 1864

W. P Dole Esq

Dear sir

Your [illegible] copy of dispatch of Steele is received. I would by all means advise him to whatever is necessary to earn crops. Our reason is earlier than yours have and the harvest must be now one. I send you this as I cannot call owing to the pressure of business.

I am very truly Your friends John Conness