MF1323.1197 Reel 39_0995

California S954 E. Steele San Francisco, Cal Jan 8, '64

Submits statement rel. to the payment for cattle and other vouchers contracted by Late Sup. Agt. Hanson

[stamped] RECEIVED AT THE Feb 8 1864 INDIAN BUREAU

OFFICE INDIAN AFFAIRS NORTHERN DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA.

San Francisco, January 8th 1864

Hon Wm P Dole Comm [illegible]

Sir I am in [illegible of [illegible] from you [illegible] payment of contractors & employes under Mr Hanson, the contract with Mr [Hamblin?] I do not pay for the [illegible] Mr Hanson had turned over to him an amount of Indian goods to past payment and I have no way of determining the amount or value. Secondly, Mr Hanson wrote me - a copy of which letter I sent the department- that he had taken vouchers from Mr [Hamblin?] and they had been [illegible] to him in his August statement and lastly from the list to [illegible] information I can get Mr [Hamblin] (a [illegible] or [illegible] [illegible] of Mr Hansons [illegible] the cattle or many of them from Hanson to fill the contract and the sale of average price as far to high

I had no [illegible] in my office as to who

was employed & not paid for the terms spoken of & I can only get the infomation from the Supervisors of the [illegible] [illegible] and they shall be paid forthwith

The reason of my inferring [illegible] to your office was that many of them held certificates of amounts due from the United States signed by Mr Hanson for which they had expected vouchers in full & there was no reccord [illegible] by which I could [illegible] [illegible] that allowed Mr Hanson & that [illegible] and I would not like to be respobsible for paying a debt already [illegible]

It would be far from me to place any obsticle in the way of a fast & expectable adjustments of the accounts of Mr Hanson but I desire to conduct the matter so as to protect the Government & all parties that make any political capital for our [illegible]

Very Respetfully your Obt Servt E Steele Supt Agt Indian Affairs N. D. Cal