MF1323.1197 Reel 40_0551

with the acorns of gathered by the Indians will probably be sufficient to subsist them until another harvest. They are in the same condition regarding clothing as all other Indians in the state, badly in need. Their share of the supply from New York will be forwarded at an early day.

I am anxious to locate a reservation in the Southern portion of the State that more permanence may be given to the service and the wants of the Indians more thoroughly provided for than is now possible. I shall attend to this matter as soon as more important demands are disposed of.

Some trouble has occurred between the settlers of Owens River Valley and the Indians there, and in response to the appeals of the residents I sent Mr G. S. Hoffman as an Agent to investigate the state of affairs. As a result of his report a company of Cal Vols has been stationed in the Valley not to hunt the Indians but to protect both parties and prevent outbreak between them. Mr Hoffman is of the opinion that the disturbances are not likely long to continue.

The shipment of clothing has been apportioned to the different reservations and that designed for Hoopa with a small supply for the Indians yet at Fort Humboldt has been shipped today. The remainder will be forwarded as opportunity offers.

In conducting the business of my Superintendency I have suffered serious inconvenience from having no funds. From the 25th May when I entered upon the discharge of my official duties, to the present time, I have received but $2757.54.

I have been notified that a requisition was drawn Oct 6th for $38750 and have been anxiously awaiting the receipt of the money. I had hoped to keep the credit of the Ind Dept in good repute and at the same time by strict economy to avoid the necessity of continually importuning the Dept for money but I begin to fear I have assumed a difficult task to say the least. It is needless to recapitulate the hindrances, vexations and inconvenience which follow an attempt to carry on a work this kind without money; they must be apparent merchants grow both to credit the service on any terms and when they do, it is at a rate that incures them against the long unsettled account that they anticipate; employees are obliged to borrow money at various rates to live upon and quit the service when they can in fact the friction is felt at every motion. I make this statement not questioning the cause but merely asserting the fact in self explanation.

My quartely report of employee for 4th quarter will be forwarded as soon as the reports come to hand from the different reservations.

I am informed by Mr Wentworth that it has

been his custom to forward his property returns semi-annually embracing two quarters in one return, and that such a course has been allowed by the Dept. I therefore propose to pursue] that plan indeed it is the only practicable one for the area covered by my Superintendency and the imperfect mail facilities under it difficult in the extreme if not absolutely impossible to forward a correct return quarterly.

My property return from the date of my entering into office until the close of 1864 will be transmitted as soon as the returns are received from the various reservations and as some of them are almost without communication during the winter months some time will necessarily elapse before it can be forwarded.

Very Respectfully, Your Obt Servant Austin Wiley Supt Ind Affs Cal

Hon WM P Dole Commisioner Washington D.C