[Cover]
California Sup. S603
L.R. Smart
Washn Augt 31 '54
Calls attention to certain a/cs of Pearson B. Reading, connected with his Special Agency viz a charge of 5 % for superintending the transportation of goods [illegible] in New York to California
Recd Septr 1 '54
Accts referenced
Sept 29 54
1 Finance
[Letter P. 1]
Washington City D.C.
August 31, 1854
Charles E. Mix Esq.
Acting Comr of Ind. Affs.
Sir,
Permit me to call your attention to certain account connected with the Special Agency of Pearson B. Reading, Esq. of California by virtue of his appointment as such in [name?], 1852.
These accounts were transmitted to your office in October 1853 by E.F. Beale. Supt. of Ind Affrs of California, and were received at the office sometime in the month of November same year. Major Reading were instructed to expand the amount placed in his hands, after receiving a sufficient sum to cover the expenses of this transportation over the Isthmus, in suitable article for the Indians in California_ His selection and purchase being confided to his judgement_ The accounts indicate the fact that he did not expend the entire sum applicable- he turned over to Mr. Beale the sum of $5000 or thereabouts in money. For his trouble
[P. 2]
and with the view to reimburse to himself the expenses incurred in the full discharge of his duty, Having conducted personally this transit from New York to San Francisco, he has charged a compensation of 5% on the invoice of articles purchased in New York- This account in charge W Beale regarded as reasonable and virtue of his instructions has allowed the same and referred it together with his accounts for settlement with this exception Mr. Reading has accounted satisfactorily for every dollar of the amount originally placed in his hands [viz?] $25,000. Having filed the receipt of Mr Beale for the money & goods turned over- His invoice of Messr. Grant & Barton for the goods purchased in New York and account, under oath, exhibiting the expenses of transporting them to California_ When it is considered that Mr Reading superintended personally the transportation of there articles over the Isthmus of Panama, requiring at that time the greatest case and [illegible]
[P. 3]
I cannot regard the compensation claims as innumerable- [certain?] it is those Mr. Beale did not consider it such and [accordingly?] allowed it.
My object in addressing you is mainly to acquaint you with the fact that the nonsettlement of these accounts [illegible], at the present time, interfering successful with the settlement of his accounts as [Postmaster?] in the army during the war with Mexico and that the necessities of the care and such as to call upon you to act at once upon the accounts in question.
[illegible] that going may find it [illegible] [illegible] to give the [illegible] given attention at an early [illegible]
I am very respectfully &c
L. R. Smart
Letters of the Office of Indian Affairs, 1849-1880, California Superintendency
