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Letter to President Taylor 1851 (Office of Indian Affairs)(1851) (5 pages)
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Page: of 5
vA
Transcribed letter of January 23, 1851 to President Zachary Taylor,
Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, California Superintendency, 1849-1880.
Reel 32, Frames 92-94
To: General Zachary Taylor
President of the United States
Memorial in behalf of the Indians of California
General,
Your high character as a just man and an upright magistrate and your personal politeness
when I had the honor of an interview with you at your residence in Baton Rouge, embolden me
to address you.
iget; they have attempted to seize
: : guilty of n ‘équently put to.death, and
sometimes incold blood, in:these onslaughts.° That 1 of: setfiomn: still continues.on the
Spanish ranches in this country:
Respectfully I would venture to suggest that the powerful and benevolent influence of the
Great Father of the Indian nations be employed to collect those most exposed in California, into
ranches of their own, separate from the presence of the white community. That good men
farmers, teachers, etc. be placed at the head of these ranches: for the Indians though docile, are
as children, without judgment or foresight. That on the ground of benevolence and economy the
Missionary Societies be encouraged to assist in carrying out this project.
The following sites are respectfully suggested as appropriate.
San Juan Missions is unoccupied, and already stocked at least partially with wild cattle. Valley
of Rio de los Reyes is a fertile county not in a gold region. Beriess (sp?) Valley is a very
secluded spot from 30 to 40 miles north of Benecia, occupied at present by a Spanish ranch.
Valley of Clear Lake is full of wild Indians and therefore is unoccupied by the whites.
The advantages of this plan are Practicability of immediate adoption. Economy, for after
the farms are once stocked and occupied, small additional expenses need to be incurred.
Efficiency, for every Indian would at once have a home. National credit and noble benevolence.
No wish to interfere with the arrangements of the bureau of Indian Affairs, but a deep
sense of the necessity of prompt and effectual aid being rendered to the poor outcast houseless
helpless savages thrown upon American protection, has led me — a clergyman by profession, and
the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Benecia to address you in this appeal.
With profound respect, I am General,
Your most obedient and humble servant
Sylvester Woodbridge, Jr.
Benecia, California
January 23, 1851