George Wright to A. Cady, March 27, 1862

Col. A. CADY, Commanding District of Oregon, Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter.: My DEAR SIR: Our city is jubilant over the good news constantly pouring in from the East. Everything is going on well there. In this department I am annoyed and worried to death by the irregularities reported of officers at remote posts. They seem to think that there is no responsibility resting on them; that the funds and public property intrusted to them is for their personal benefit, and the difficulty is that they are so far off that a great injury is accomplished before I can apply the corrective. But all such may rest assured that a day of reckoning will surely come, when they will be dealt with without gloves. Carleton has been delayed long by the terrible roads, over which wagons cannot pass. He is advancing his expeditionary forces to Fort Yuma as fast as possible. I received a telegraphic dispatch yesterday from Secretary of War, directing me to make preparations to protect the Overland Mail Route, and also the emigrants expected over this season, Ihave reduced Cornelius to six companies of cavalry, and ordered him to collect them together in the Willamette Valley, with a view of moving into the Walla Walla country and thence to the mining districts, and as the season advances to throw forward troops toward Fort Hall to meet the emigrants. Steinberger has about 250 very good men on Alcatraz Island. He will organize four companies there, and in a few weeks proceed with them to Vancouver. I shall place him then in command of your district. I am very anxious to have thorough inspection made of the posts in your district, as well as those down this way. We want those staff departments critically examined by some officer who understands the business, and all evil doers suspended at once. I hope it will be agreeable to you, if you are well enough, to make these tours of inspection. If necessary, I will send an officer with you to assist. I intend to give the inspector extraordinary powers to rclieve, arrest, remove, or do anything that will promptly arrest these depredations on public property. Do not hesitate now to take any measures you may deem advisable in this business, and I will sustain you. J am determined to put a stop to these rascalities, cost what it may. With great regard, yours, very truly,

G. WRIGHT,