MF1323.1197 Reel 40_0551

California W811 [illegible] Wiley San Francisco, Cal Jan 3, '65

Submits his report of the general conditions of Indian Affairs, for the 4th Qtr '64

Answered Feby 6/65

[Ink Stamp] RECEIVED AT THE Jan 30 1865 INDIAN BUREAU

[Land?]

Office of Indian Affairs San Francisco, Cal January 3rd 1865.

Sir

In submitting this quarterly report for the fourth quarter 1864 I design to mention briefly a few of the more important occurences in my Superintendency since my annual report of Sept 1st and state the general condition of affairs at the present time.

At the Smith River Reservation, in the Northern portion of the State, affairs have been generally prosperous. The crops have been harvested and yielded abundantly Of wheat, potatoes, peas of there is an ample supply to subsist the Indians. The quantity of salmon caught at the fishery has not been so large as was anticipated, the season having proved an unfavorable one, but enough have been taken to satisfy the demand during the season and a small quantity has been smoked for winter use. So far as food is concerned the Indians are remarkably well prepared for winter. A potion of them have good houses while the remainder have been provided with temporary shelter to protect them against the severity of the storms it not seeming advisable to expend a large sum of money in building new houses for all in view of the possibility of its soon being abandoned as a reservation.

The greatest inconvenience the Indians have been subjected to has been a lack of clothing occasioned by

the late arrival of the shipment from East Since its arrival there has been no opportunity to send any to this reservation and the unusually severe storms must have occasioned some suffering.

Blankets are the articles they stand most in need of both on this reservation and throughout the state. Anticipating that the clothing from the East would arrive too late for the early storms I purchased and forwarded 100 prs of cheap blankets in November to Smith River which will makte them comparatively comfortable. Mr Wm Bryson having been commissioned Ind Agent, assumed direction of this reservation upon the 1st of this month. The farms have been leased for another year, as it was impossible to remove the Indians this winter. It is now my purpose to raise another crop here, and to remove the Indians as soon as they can be provided for.

At the Hoopa Reservation matters have progressed to my entire satisfaction. The Indians have been quick and peaceable to an extent heretofore unknown. The murders and devastation of property that have filled the district with horror for years past have entirely ceased and a degree of security is now felt that has not been approximated for many years. The principal anxiety felt has been as to the action of the Dept in regard to the location of the reservation and this has been shared by the settlers and the Indians. The former have felt a degree of uneasiness in leaving their improvements until

some action was taken, and the Indians had had some fears that no provision was to be made for their subsistence, but as soon as the Trails are opened I propose to visit the Valley and carry out the instructions contained in your very satisfactory communication of 31st Oct. and then all cause for doubt will be removed and the permanent success of the measure will in my opinion be established. The most unpleasant feature connected with the location of this reservation is the heavy expense necessarily incurred in providing for the wants of the Indians. Their crop of acorns has been almost a failure and the supply of salmon caught has been very small leaving them almost entirely dependent upon me for food which I have been obliged to purchase in the form of beef and flour principally and this necessity will exist until the harvesting of another crop. Mr R.S [Stockton?] having been commissioned Indian Agent for this reservation has taken charge relieving Mr S.C [Beckworth?].

At Round Valley matters are in a very satisfactory condition. The number of Indians upon the reservation is considerably larger than at the time of my last report. Of food there is a great abundance the crops having been excellent. Nearly all of the Indians who have lately come in are entirely destitute of clothing and those formerly there are but little better off. Before winter set in I forwarded 220 prs of blankets and 50 prs Brogans which I purchased in

in this city to relieve their pressing neccessities. A portion of the clothing received from the East will be sent them as soon as the trails are passable. The prospects for farming operations the present year are very flattering.

The reservation at Mendocino was discontinued at the expiration of the year and will be attended as a station to Round Valley for the present the Indians remaining at Mendocino under the charge of Mr E. J. Whipple former Special Agent who will be retained as an employee and receive pay as such. The Indians here are comfortably provided for. The wheat crop was a partial failure but the lack was supplied by packing a portion of the surplus from Round Valley. The Indians catch a great quantity of fish, clams, muscles of in the rivers and upon the beach and under the supervision of Mr Whipple will raise crops of grain of and be well cared for.

They are much attached to the place and as the land is comparatively valuable to the whites I propose to allow them to occupy the Upper Station. At the Lower Station there are no Indians. The property I have placed in charge of responsible parties who will care for it without expense to the Dept.

The employee upon this reservation were discharged at the expiration of the 4th quarter.

At Tule River the Indians are as comfortable as is possible under the circumstances. The crop raised on the farm was very good and