MF1323.1197_Reel_34_0297

California H 802 Thomas J. Henley San Francisco Jan 30 '55

Enc. letter of Col R. McKee rel. to beef furnished by Genl Estell to the Clear Creek & Klamath Indians

File Recd Feby 27 '55 27_ Finance

Office Superintendent Ind AffSan Francisco Jany 30th 1835

Hon G. W. Moneypenny Comr Ind Affairs

Sir

I beg leave to enclose you the letter of Col R McKee, in regard to Beef furnished by Genl Estell, to the Clear Creek and Klamath Indians, There is no doubt of the fact, that this Beef was furnished in good faith and at very low prices, I hope therefore the department may be able to take some action upon it or should there be no appropriation for that purpose, I earnestly solicit that it may be refered to Congress, with the papers accompanying it, in time for aciton at the present session.

Respectfully your obt servt Thos J. Henley Sup Ind Affairs

San Francisco Jany 30 1855

Thos. J. Henley Esqr. Supt Ind Affs in California

Sir,

Genl Estell informs me that he has never yet been paid his little claim, ajt. the Government for Beef Cattle furnished in my district, for the public services during the [critical?] period of 1851: The amount was originally some 3000$ if my memory serves- but is fully set forth in my letters to the department written after my return from the Northern Expecting in Decr '51 or Jany '52. And again in a letter written in 1853 at Genl Estell request and endorsed by him, as I understand, & Mr. J. R. McDougall at Washington.

On those Letters I stated the peculiar & [illegible] circumstances in wich Genl. Estell advanced his property & private means, for the public service, & in a way, & at a time,- When I had little draft, his action indirectly saved the country many thousand of dollars,__ and many valuable lives,__ I hope you will write to the Department urging the settlement of this, and some of the [small?] debts, originating about that time, & fullt reported on by Mr. H's really disgraceful to our Govern't & Country that gentlemen who have always acted honestly-- & patriotically in this country should be neglected & kept out of their money, by the Grand Government, while

immense sums are rushed through Congress & the Department, to pay claims, which if ever allowed, would be reduced full fifty [illegible] by any court or jury in the State. In this particular case, I know Genl Estell furnished me with better cattle at 40 $ pr head than Col Fremont got $75 for 1 in the southern district. In relation to the amount of the Certificate issued to the General, by me, in 1851 or early in 1852._ he should I think, be allowed Interest on the [Rent?] at the rate of 3pr ct per month,_ which I know has been the [want?] [current?] rates from that day to them.

In [illegible] But truly yr obt st R. McKee Late Ind. Agt. and Northern District

Thomas J. Henley Eqr Supt. Indn. Affs in California Present

pr Genl Estell