Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-04-16
following statement made to by the person employed
by Savage to deliver CATH to the Indians win show the
nature and extent NJ this m akersation:

4
nature and extent Of this ma kersauon:
Official statement 81 Joel H. proofs Superintendent Bsale
i dated San Francisco, September u, 1852
sOn or about the 29th August, 1851, appointed
by Major James Savage the Indian trader on the Fresno
take charge of nineteen hundred head OF cattle
that were delivered TO the Indian agents, Barbour and
Johnson by Col G. Fremont the river San Joaquin
MY instructions from Savage were that when deli
yered cattle the San Joaquin and Kings river and TO
other southern Indians was 10 take receipts for
double the number actually delivered, and make
cond delivery any should return the band and
when 10 Indians the Fresno, deliver onethird less
receipted for also had orders to sell all the
beef could miners, which did TO the of about
1920 or $3.50, and to deliver cattle his clerks TO be
sold the Indians the San Joaquin twenty
per pound and know that such sales made 10 those
| Indians.
In October received written order from Savage to
deliver to Alexander Cooley head of CATTLE
be driven to the mines and there sold to miners and
others. | also requested, in the communica-
ton, 10 destroy the order read; which
done after had read it aloud in the presence Of Cooley
p Rainbolt Jose de Soto and Theodore McNabb In No
vember received similar order deliver TO Cooley four
hundred and fifty head, which done The best OF
these be sold possible and the remain
der TO be herded by Cooley elsewhere About the last of
November first of December moved the cattle in my
possession on to the river Fresno, and delivered to p
Ranbot person appointed by Savage receive them,
eight hundred head also gave TO Savage receipts to
the number of seventeen hundred head which hadaken
from the Indians After the cattle went on the Fresno,
although know that Tom Kit the chief Of the tribe
the San Joaquin frequently sent after them Some were
sent the Indians working for Savage the Coarse
Gold Gulch and others to stock his rancho on the San
Joaquin
Utia had charge of that rancho and partner of
Savages and have Of the cattle had charge
\ Of in their corral.
i give the above account TO E. F. Beae, Supern-
epdent of Indian Affairs and intend it as official
4 statement JOEL II. Brooks"
With respect TO agent McKees pecuniary operations
have butltte knowledge, his accounts required
to be settled at the Department here; but many cerf
Gates presented to me- which he had given in
the name of the Government (belieyed be about
$50, 000) and that and above the appropriation
made by Congress l refused to pay these liabilities,
there being appropriation for that purpose. The fol-
lowing official correspondence applies to some of agent
Mckee operations, and his replies file in your
Office. Copies thereof understand will be embraced in
the correspondence called for by resolution Of the Senate
of the 2lst utmo.
Cory Of letter from Mayor Vessels Captain To,rasend
A. A. g., dated Beaicia Barracks, March IL 1852.
" have had the honor of receiving from headquarters
Pacific division copies Of communications from the Hon.
G. NJ Conrad Secretary of War; Luke Lea Commissioner
of Indian Affairs, and letter from Redick Mckee In
dian agent all in reference TO certain remarks contained
in my report commanding officer of escort attending
the latter gentleman tour among Indian tribes from
Sonoma valley TO the klamath river These papers hav-
ing been referred me- will in full my for
introducing those remarks in my report promising how
ever, that they made officially, officer of the
Government unnfuenced in any particular by either pr
personal considerations and pointed solely the
system f il be called ofssung fresh beef to the
Indians, it under my notice. No accusations
made; and if such inference is drawn by any one
the matter. suppose is open to investigation; and in
such event 1t would afford much qualification to
meet with result alike advantageous to the Government
and credtable to all concerned is possible that in al
udug to this subject have trepassed beyond the bounds
Of my legitimate duties commander of the escort and
if such is the fact, very willing that every word
should be expunged satisfied with having directed it
the attention of the proper authorities.
An expedition to Clear lake. and thence through the
coast range to Humboldt bay and klamath river, had
been contemplated in the early part of last summer and
the time approached for its departure public aten-
ton, TO considerable extent directed towards it,
II afforded pretty general topic for conversations but
observed that the chief point onterest attached
certain herd of beefcate destined follow the march
and fer the Of such Indian tribes were willing to
treat This however previous my being detailed
for that service and it of my own,
gave but little attention On assuming command of
the repeated inquiries made of to the
manner Of furnishing beef to the Indians, whether pur
chased in open market the hoo contracted in
the usual way with the lowest bidder Speculation it
well known, rife throughout the country, and
this seemed TO be looked upon grand speculation OF
course could give satisfactory reply questions Of
that nature il business Of my own: but from
constant repetition of the subject my attention was and
unwillingly, directed towards it, heard the belief re-
peatedy expressed that it swndlng transaction ;
that the herd Of beefcate controlled the of
the expedition and it is possible that have expressed
the opinion 1t may have been erroneous one,
and hope il was.
1t observed that of the acting Commissioner,
holding the appointment of secretary agent for the
of the CATTLE and had entire control Of the issues
TWAS also believed that he partner in the concern
directly interested in the profits Such my own
belief having been informed by the chief herdsman Of
the drove and this is feature in the system which
could not fail TO condemn.
AT one time some eight or ten head Of cattle we're
turned to Indians the hoof, their weight being
estimated, believed at the time, in very careless
way, say the least and the amount reported to the
Commissioner The accounts will show whether the
tractors had any to complain Of the profits since
seventy FIVE dollars with certain share of the profits
paid for the largest and best American in the herd
as was informed by the owner Of them.
"0n another occasion small quantity Of beef which
could not otherwise be disposed or reported to the
Commissioner as having been issued to Indians in his
temporary absence when Indians were present
ceye IT, and never did receive ii this being related
me by the who killed the animal and who ought to
have known the circumstances being at the time employ
ed kind Of sub drOyer the herd III this nforma-
tion correct and believe il was the Commissioner
was deceived, and fraud to small extent perpe
trated the Government | know myself that no In
dams we're in camp at the time; at all events, whether
true or not, was satisfied in my mind that frauds
could be practsed with mpunity unless different sys-
TEN Of accountability adopted
At another time beef, broken down on the road and
unable TO walk, butchered distance Of nearly
mile from camp by the same individual above mentioned
and he directed by the chief drover to dress the ami
NAL and leave il there for issue Indians when no In
dians present. this told By the man himself
frstrate joke, showing how easy was TO dispose
Of broken~down cattle. OF am not aware that
this beef charged ISSUE but satisfied that
the occurrence took place rs stated and If actually
3 cha ell (f,r ofaoiop