Letter from Thos. J. Henley to G.W. Manypenny with a survey from special agents McDaniel and McQueen, 1854

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California Sup H703

Thomas J. Henley
San Francisco Oct 14 '54

Enc. a copy of the report of special agents McDaniels & McQueen, appointed to inspect the localities & condition of the Indians at Bariessa Valley &c

Recd Novr 11 '54
Answd Dec 6th 54
Cir

[Letter P. 1]

Office of the Superintendent of Indian Affairs
San Francisco Cal. Oct 14 1854

Hon. G.W. Manypenny
Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Washington D.C.

Sir:

For the information of the Department, I herewith enclose a copy of the report of special agents McDaniels and McQueen upon duties assigned them as shown by the report.

It is sometimes necessary to employ agents temporarily for a special duty, who are discharged when that duty is performed.

Thos. J. Henley
Supt Ind affairs

Benecia 4th Oct 1854

Sir:

In conformity to your instructions we proceeded to inspect the localities and condition of the Indians at the following places first at Bariessa [Berryessa] Valley on the Puta [Putah] Creek we found something like one hundred and fifty Indians whose condition in that of slavery. We made enquiry in regard to the kidnapping refered [referred] to in your letter of instructions and found the Bariessa family in possession of a numerous [illegible] of Indians at work on their Ranch of different tribes, all of whom had been

[P. 2]

driven in from the valley and mountains of Stone Creek by violence and they and certain Sonora Mexicans living with them are constantly in the practice of selling the young Indians, both male and female to whomsoever will purchase them, and we have ascertained to whom they have sold several of them, which testimony can be had to prosecute to conviction of this crime, but which we declined doing at present, until we have further instructions from you. We then proceeded accross [across] the mountains to Popes Valley, where we found fifty or sixty Indians in the employ of Mr. Pope and living on his land, but heard no complaint there of kidnapping, neither do we believe it to exist, from there we proceeded to Kiota Valley and found on Mr. Shirlings land seventy five (75) Indians or there abouts who appeared to be doing well: from thence we proceeded to clear lake, the home of the Indians in thie part of the country: whom we found cultivating the soil, and living in abundance, contented and happy: they number seven or eight hundred the country is eminently adapted to their wants, abundance in fish, grass, and game: we found these Indians residing on land said to have been granted to Mexicans, and now belonging to Brown Smith and others. Which grants have been rejected by the Board of Land Commission; There are two

[P. 3]

Lakes, said to be thirty five miles long, connected by a narrow strait and from four to ten miles wide, of pure fresh water. This Lake is about one hundred or one hundred & twenty miles from this place surrounded by mountains and cannons on all sides, entirely isolated from all amible [amiable?] lands for a distance of twenty miles: from those facts we are decidedly of opinion that this lake is admirable adapted, and is pointed out by nature for an Indian Reservation; if private rights can be disposed of, so as to disincumber [disencumber] it of conflicting title, there are also some few squatters on this valley and others as we hear are preparing to remove them. From this place or from Nappa, there is a road which has been used by several waggons and has been formed a tolerable mountain road, capable of all necessary purposes of transportation, should a military post be established there, or for transporting the necessary supplies for the reservation.

We have also made diligent enquiry in relation to a valley situated fifty miles north of Bariessa Valley in Puta [Putah] Creek, which has been mentioned as a suitable plan for an Indian Reservation, and from whence the Bariessa's and thin Confederates drive in the Indians where they want them to harvest their grain, build their fences, and their houses, or for other purposes

[P. 4]

this valley from the best information we can procureis not of sufficient body of good lands to warrant a reservation, the water which flows into the Sacramento near Colousa is said to be brackish, alltho there is said to be shrimp of pure water in the neighborhood, possibly on the land, We are also informed that this valley is inaccessible for a waggon road, being surrounded by high and rugged mountains. We also found it our duty to make diligent enquiry of the county high up Russian River above the settlements, and are of opinion that there is no valley of sufficient extent and quality of soil to justify an Indian reservation, alltho there is said to be numerous tribes of Indians there, all of whom are wild & hostile, but which we did not visit, as it would require a force of twenty or thirty men to be penetrate their country and explore their land, We having but one man with us that is imprudent to attempt it, but the information we proceed may be relied on.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

We have the honor to be sir
With respect
Your obt. servts.
Wm McDaniel on Special Duty
Wm McQueen

To Thos. J. Henley Esq
Superintendent of Indian Affairs for California