MF1323.1197 Reel 39_0901

California [H?]1022 Geo. M. Hanson Yuba City, Cal. Nov 14, '64 Enc. letter from Dr W P Melendy and other papers rel to [co?] suit brought against him, for recovering a squaw, [seduced?] from The Indian Reservation, by Henry J Abbott. Answered to Mr. Hanson See letter [aua?] to [ subct?] Wiley [Oct? ] 29 / 64.

[stamped] Received at the Indian Bureau Dec 14 1864

Mr [Smith?] [Twauw ?]

Yuba City Cal. Nov. 14th 1864 Hon Wm. P. Dole Com. Ind. Affa. Sir. Enclosed please find letter with Enclosures from Late Supervisor (Dr. Wm. P Melendy) at Round Valley, whom I put in charge, in place of James Short removed by your instructions. I was preparing to visit Washington, not having any answers to letters for 4 months past in regard to a settlement of my accounts, and wrote to the Dr. accordingly which accounts for his writing to me and requesting me to explain to you the particulars about which he writes. But having just rec'd a letter from Supt. Wiley, informing me that you had ordered him to make a "Settlement with me immmediately" I shall now abandon the trip to Washington, and consequently write. The matter which Dr. Melendy is desirous I should explain to you, he has pretty fully done himself in the letter to me and the enclosures to you all of which I send herewith. The matter is simply this, as Supt. Agt. I instructed him as Super...

at Nome Cult [Nomi Lackee] or Round Valley to discharge certain duties which he done faithfully, and for so doing he has been sued for damages by a malicious Copperhead Kidnapper and as he truly informs you has attended 3 Courts at Mendocino City & now at the 4th term, taking his witnesses, asking for trial, which the plaintiff has had put off from time to time in view doubtless of wearing the Dr. out, he has already spent a large sum in expences for himself & witnesses besides his own time and council [counsul] fees, and he is desirous to know if the department will allow him pay for the same or whether he must loose it all? I wrote to him to keep an account of every thing, and as far as posible take voucher & I had no doubt the department would fully indemnify him. I have no doubt but he will beat Abbot the rebel in the suit even before a rebel court as it is but his expenses are great as you can see, Capt. Douglass who is sued with the Dr. is worth nothing -- and pays no attention to the case, & seems entirely willing that the Dr should suffer. Dr. Melendy proved to be the most valuable man ever on that, or indeed any Reservation as his record proves. The crops which he raised last summer fully establishes his worth to the

Indian Service and you will no doubt with me regret that such a man and his excellent Wife was not retained as Supervisor or agent in that Service; particularly as he served as Physician also without any extra pay. I hope as soon as you can give this matter your attention, you will inform me or himself in regard thereto.

I have the honor to be your obt. sevt. G. M. Hanson Late Supt. Agt. N.D. Cal.

P.S. In the Dr's letter to me he says he harvested 9000 bushels of wheat, and 1800 bushels oats, 2,400 bushels Barley, he thought there would be 10,000 bushels of Corn, 30 acres potatoes, 18 acres Peas & 16 acres carrots & Beets, besides 50,000 [?aily?] made & laid up in Stakes [fences?] during the last year of his Service. I merely name this to show the energy of a good man laid aside.

Yreka Cal. Nov 7th 1864 Hon. Wm. P. Dole Sir I wish you to understand my connection with the Abbott affair about which a suit is now pending in the district court of Mendocino Co. I was instructed by Mr. [Heanson?] (then Superintendent) to keep all white men from cohabiting with indian girls, either on the reservation, or enticing them away from it, and in case of any trouble of of this kind to call on the military at Ft. Wright for assistance. In June 1860 on Henry J. Abbott did entice an Indian girl to leave the Reservation, & on my sending an employee for her, treated the matter with contempt, and forcibly detained her. (I send copies of Affidavits of two employees substatiating this.) I then sent a statement of the facts to Capt. Douglas requesting his assistance in recovering the indian girl. He immediately arrested said Abbott, saying he would keep him untill he caused the squaw's return, & did keep him in confinement three days. I had nothing to do with his confinement, but Capt. D. & myself are both sued for depriving said Abbott of his liberty. [Licesd?] Attorneys are endeavoring to