Unknown to Colonel Cady, March 29, 1862

Colonel CADY, Commanding Fourth Regiment California Volunteers and the U. S. Troops in Oregon and Washington Territory: Str: My attention has of late been repeatedly called to the position of settlers on and near the eastern and northeastern frontiers of this State by representations of their hazardous exposure to Indian depredations, and the danger existing at this time of Indian outbreaks in those localities. Urgent solicitations have been made recently by many intelligent and influential citizens of Oregon and of the United States, particularly since the receipt of intelligence of the murder of a party of white men who had established a mining camp on John Day’s River last winter by a party of Indians, that some more efficient measures should be taken for the protection of the persons and property of the white people in such exposed sections of the country. Under these circumstances I have thought proper to communicate with you upon the subject for the purpose of obtaining information of the steps designed to be taken, if any, by the U.S. military authorities relative to the matter, of ascertaining the numerical strength of any force at your command that might be detailed for such duty, if in your judgment the exigencies of the case required, and also whether the nature of your instructions are such as to permit the sending a body of troops into the Indian country mentioned in the event of your considering it advisable or necessary to do so. An early reply would much oblige,

Your obedient servant, `