Albert S. Johnston to Edward R. Geary, Esq, March 2, 1861

EDWARD R. GEARY, Esq., Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Portland, Oreg. :

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter addressed to Colonel Wright, commanding the Military District of Oregon, requesting that thirty or forty rifles may be placed at your disposal for the use of the employés at the Fort Simcoe Agency. I have no authority under the law or regulations to make any disposition of the public arms other than for the use of the troops, and I could not do so unless the exigency of the occasion was such as to furnish a full justification for acting without the sanction of either. In the case presented there seems to be no urgency for immediate action, as you propose to provide the arms now as a precautionary measure. For these reasons I do not conceive it to be in my power to comply with your request. By the act of the 3d of March, 1825, the President, under certain restrictions, is authorized to have arms unsuitable for the military service sold. There may berifles at Fort Vancouver of that description, in which case I do not doubt you would, on application to the War Department, be authorized to purchase for your department whatever number may be needed.

with great respect, your obedient servant,