Unknown to Albert S. Johnston, March 11, 1861

Brig. Gen. ALBERT S. JOHNSTON, U.S. Army, Commanding Pacific Division:

SIR: I have received numerous petitions from citizens of the counties of Humboldt and Mendocino representing that the Coast Range from Mendocino to Humboldt and Trinity has been rendered valueless from the continued outrages of the Indians to the stock-growers of that region, and asking that they may have protection for their property. I have heretofore had occasion to make representations to the late General Clarke of depredations committed upon the property of citizens of California by hostile Indians, and it affords me pleasure to state that prompt measures were taken by that officer to redress the grievances complained of. It would seem that the citizens inhabiting the Coast Range from Mendocino to Humboldt and Trinity Counties feel justified in asking that a corps of volunteers should be called out by the State to effectually redress the great outrages committed by the Indians, and as I conceive it to be my plain duty to first ask if you can send a force sufficient to afford protection to the lives and property of our citizens in that region, and would be justified in calling for volunteers only in the event that you were unable to render the protection demanded, I trust that you will at your earliest convenience so inform me.

Respectfully, &c.,