MF1323.1197 Reel 39_0889

California H952 Geo M. Hanson Yuba City, Cal Aug 12, '64 (E)

Enquires [Inquires] rel. to pay ment of certain checks issued by him to em ployees

Yuba City California Aug 12th 1864 Hon Wm P. Dole Coms. &c

Sir I am constantly annoyed by persons to whom I gave checks for property purchased for the Indian Service in the months of July & Aug 1863, and also several of the employees for their quarterly serving -, which checks, were to ^be presented to the deputy Treas in S.F as soon as I announced to the holders the arrival of the money. Contrary to expectation the money came to my successor Mr. Steele; who then refused to pay any of those claims, saying "he had been instructed not to pay any of ^my contracts," and soon again "that I had made large pur chases of stock without authority from your office & for which that office was not liable" (I quote from memory) Since that time, Mr. Steele has been in structed to pay those checks, very few of which I think has yet been paid, whether he has been furnished money to pay them I know not. Some of the employees called on him for their pay from 1st July to 1st of Sep. & be

replied he had no money for them. Since that time, Mr. Wiley has been appointed Supt. & in answer to my letter, his clerk in his absence informs me that no instruction has come to his office, to pay any of those claims made under my Superintendence. Hence this letter to you enquiring [inquiring], who, how and when are those claimants to be paid-? It is certainly hard on them to have to wait one whole year or more for their money without inst. & loose [lose] the difference in the currency which is 44 cts on each dollar; the money appropriated for 1863 was for the purchase of cattle, clothes & employees. Certainly it has not all been exhausted; if it has, when shall I tell these claimants to expect their pay? If I could have the liberty to visit your office (not at my own expense however) I think we could very soon have a fair and amicable settlement of every thing. I know not now with whom or when I am to have a settlement. Mr. Steele is out of office I have written to him twice but no reply. Perhaps in answer to my letter of July you may inform me further. I have the honor to be your Obt. Sevt. Geo. M Hanson Late Supty Agt &c