MF1323.1197 Reel 40_0324

California M516 Mary [Mallck?] Wash, Mch 14, '65

[Leaves?] vouchers of [illegible?] M. Freeborn for services as [illegible?] on the Mendocino Reservation in Cal. and letter of E. J. Whipple the Agt rel to the [illegible?]

Recd March 14, '65 See letter to M. Mallock March 18th 1865 See leter to M [Mallck?] June 20/65

Fin

Mendocino Indian Reserve December 20th 1864

Ms Mary [Mallek?] Dear Madam

Your letter announcing the death of your brother [Wm? William] Freeborn was duly rec some time [illegible?] and would have been answered before this had it not been for the pressure of business on my hands. I am deeply grieved to learn of this [affliction?] which has deprived you of a beloved brother and my self of an esteemed friend. When your brother left Cal. he gave me power of Atty to [illegible?] receipt for the money due him from government. Since his death of course I could not act in the matter and in fact there never existed any necessity for the money being sent [illegible?] here, but at the time he left this State it was supposed [that?] the Supt of Ind Affairs for Cal would in a very short time have orders to pay all back indebtedness in which case I could have received the money and forwarded to your brother with less delay and trouble than to have had the matter go against Washington; but strange as it may seem it is no less a fact that all the [accounts?] this Reservation at the time of Sub Ind Agent H. J Ford's death in 1860 are still unpaid. Your brothers account is no exception to other accounts of like date. These accts are perfectly good and would no doubt have been paid long ago had it not been for this horrible war which has necessarily engrossed so much of our Countrys attention.

The attention of the Dept has however been called to these back accts and I certainly think they will be paid this winter. I send you copy of your brother's account with such certificate as I deem necessary. I also gave copy of the acct with facts in the case to Hon. E. Steele late Supt Indian Affs when he was at this Reservation in June. He promised to approve the acct and forward it for settlement. [The Dept?] have since ordered Hon. Austin Wiley present Supt Ind Affairs to investigate all back claims. I have sent him copy of the account should any further [illegible?] of be required, I can obtain you fifty affidavits to the facts for every one who has been in this vicinity for the last five years knows [wholly?] that your bro performed the labor charged in the bill, but they know that he worked faithfully and at as low rate of wages as he would have performed the same labor for any private party.

Hoping that this acct will be speedily settled to your entire satisfaction.

I remain Your most obdt [servant?] E. J. Whipple Special Agent Mend. Res. Cal.