The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-04-07
WASHINGTON, ID. G..
PUBLIC DOCUMENT.
LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR.

LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR,
Communicating the report Of Edward f. Beale,
Superintendent of Indian affairs IN Califor-
ma, respecting the condition Of Indian affairs
~ that State
CONCLUDED.
These Indians were offered by their captors
to the farmers in the neighborhood for hire, at
a dollar a day but that price was considered
too high for beings so low in flesh, and, rather
than lower the price, they were allowed to
starve, as reported. 1t is a common practice
and know it to be such, to catch Indian chill
dren when they are out gathering acorns, and
take them and hold them as slaves Not two
months ago, ! was implored to restore some
which had been taken from the Yo.Kei tribe
in this way. | know there are great many
Indians held as slaves in this way, or taken
captive in some of the forays have described
BY the last mail from California have re.
ceived the following letters on the same sub,
ject. here submit them. They need no COM
ment:
MARINE
"DEAR SIR: / have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt of your favor of the 18th nit,
in which you desire such information as | may
have, concerning treatment of Indians in this
county. | most cheerfully respond to your
wishes In the discharge Of my duties as Dis
trict Attorney, obtained the following informa-
ton, which is substantiated by reliable evil
dence.
Ramon Briones Mesa, Quiera, and Berry
eSsa, of Napa county, are in the habit Of kid
mapping Indians in the mountains near Clear
Lake. and in their capture several have been
dams to the number of one hundred and thirty
six thus captured and brought into this county,
and held here in servitude adverse TO their
will. These Indians are now said to be in the
possession of Brones Mesa, and Beryessa and
sundry other persons who have purchased them
in this county. II is also a notorious fact that
these Indians are treated inhumanly, being
neither fed nor clothed and from such treat
ment many have already died, and disease is
now threatening the destruction of tho remain
der. All the Indians allude to were brought
here forcibly and against their will From my
observation, that class of population who have
these Indians treat them more like brutes than
human beings
" There is also regular organized company
OF persons who capture and sell these Indians,
and several have lately been 50 disposed of to
William and Ramon Castro
" There is now pending suit against the
persons above named, for kidnapping these In
dams, but the statutes of this State afford no
adequate protection against cruel treatment of
Indians. Respectfully R. N, WOODS.
a. II. Jenkins Esq"
"SAN FRANCTsoo, Jan. 80, 1853
"SR: Information having been forwarded
to me, that the band of Indians on the San
Pablo rancho Contra Costa county, had been |
stolen off in the absence of Mr. II B Edwards |
| informed your clerk, Mr.. F. Kerlin, of the |
fact and he, upon consultation with General |
Hitchcock deemed the matter Of sufficient i'm
portance TO be taken notice Of therefore
acting under letter Of instructions to me, of |
December g. 1852, Immediately went up to
Martinez, where l-supposed the persons carry
ing the Indians off would endeayor to cross
them over to Napa county When I arrived,
was informed that the day before the two
native CaltOrnians, Ramon Briones and -
Beryessa, had attempted to pass over the bay
but as warrants were already out for their ar
rest, they were lodged in prison. The facts in |
regard to tho cruel treatment of the Indians by |
these parties being well known, and their |
wretched appearance whilst being driven down
to the boat so exasperated the people of the
town, that only their respect for the law kept
them from breaking in the prison and hanging
them on the spot There will be a term of the
court next week, by which time hope another
one OF the parties will be arrested
found the Indians encamped at an old
adobe house back of the town, and without
anything to eat, and many of them sick and
IN this condition they must have been driven
from San Pablo AS they had shelter | merely
made arrangements to supply them with some
barley, to keep them from starving, till such
time as Mr.. Edwards arrives, which will be in
day or two. Ii is indeed shameful that such
men rs these parties should be suffered to in
terfere and defeat the aims of Government. and
exercise such cruelty towards these Indians
than whom they are but little bctter-and vet
have no law to punish them, except for kid |
mapping them
Col. r. N. Wood the District Attorney in
forms me that there could be evidence enough
had, with little trouble and money sufficient
to convict these parties of murder AS Ramon
Brioncs has been admitted to bail, and has
friends, he may still cndeavor to carry off the
Indians To guard against this have re.
qucstcd several personal friends of mine to pre- |
vent this at all hazards
Hoping that what have done may meet
your appreciation, | remain your obedcnt ser.
want, }. H. JENKINS, Special Agent.
Edpdrd F. Beaie, Esq, Superintendent
Indian AUuyrS far CoI,foro,o