Unknown, August 10, 1861
Str: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the information and action of the commanding general of the department, a petition signed by citizens in this vicinity, asking the removal of the Indians on Lower Eel River to some reservation. The Indians referred to were sent to the Klamath Reservation from this post in April, 1860, as reported to department headquarters by Major Rains in a letter dated May 3, 1860. In September, same year, some forty or fifty of them returned to this vicinity. I wrote to department headquarters on the subject October 3, and again October 20, asking some definite instructions. To the latter the reply dated October 26 was that no authority for the issue of provisions to the Indians could be given. Not having been called on by the Indian agent in this instance, I declined attempting to remove the Indians to the Klamath Reservation unless directed to do so by the commanding general.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
[Inclosure.]
EEL RIVER, August 6, 1861.
Sixth U. S. Infantry, Commanding Fort Humboldt:
your protection the Indians of Lower Kel River (which are and havebeen
peaceable, as far as we know) until they can be removed to some reservation. For the sake of humanity, for the sake of our reputation
abroad, and many other obvious reasons we hope that the people of Humboldt County will not be placed under the odium of a second Indian