of California to E. V. Sumner, U. S. Army, October 9, 1861
Brig. Gen. E. V. SUMNER, U. S. Army, San Francisco: SIR: Tinclose herewith copies of a representation and affidavit of citizens of the counties of Napa and Mendocino relating to the depredations of hostile Indians upon the persons and property of the citizens ot Long Valley, to which I beg leave to call your attention, and to ask that you will, if within your power, render the required aid. Before acceding to the demands of these citizens for State aid I feel it incumbent upon me to take all necessary steps toward procuring from the representatives of the Federal Government such relief as it may be in their power to afford, as the care and management of Indians is exclusively the province of the Federal Government. A company of cavalry stationed in Long Valley would give ample protection to the citizens of this section, and at the same time afford protection to the U.S. mail Service, which seems now to be seriously menaced in this region. An early reply is respectfully solicited.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
To His Excellency JoHN G. DOWNEY,
Governor of California:
The undersigned, citizens of Mendocino and Napa, respectfully represent to your Excellency that in Long Valley, in said county of Mendocino, tribes of wild and hostile Indians are now, and for a long time
have stolen and run off stock, consisting of hogs, horses, and cattle;
that several citizens residing in said valley have become utterly impoverished in consequence of the stealing and killing of their stock by said
Indians. And, further, the undersigned represent that said Indians