2

Office of Indian Affairs
San Francisco Cal
Dec 22nd 1864

Sir

If not inconsistent with the law of 1864, under
which I am acting, a great hardship to the settlers of
Hoopa Valley could be avoided by having an appropriation
placed at the disposal of the Secretary of the Interior
sufficient to pay the value of their improvements as I find
it will be impossible for me to forward report of [illegible]
in time to reach Washington before the adjournment of
Congress.

The late storms have entirely closed the Trails to Hoopa
but from present indications they will soon be open again.
I shall lose no time in having the appraisement made as
per your instructions when I can reach the valley.
If the Secretary of the Interior could approve the report
(if found acceptable) and have the means at his disposal
to pay for the improvements it would be a great relief
to the settlers as many of them will find it difficult
to get away until paid for their improvements.

The settlers there are behaving well in this matter