San Francisco, California, March 1, 1850. Sir: In the last communication which I had the honor to transmit to the department I briefly referred to the gross depredations which were being committcd by various individuals and combinations of speculators upon the public lands, and those known as mission property, in this recently acquired territroy. Since the date of that communication I have been engaged in investigating the condition of the Indian population of this country, and collecting from all reliable sources such facts and information regarding them as are required by my letters of instruction. My opportunities of ascertaining the true character of those people, under the various revolutions and changes of government in Alta California, have been too limited as yet, to give a full and accurate account of them at present. I am satisfied, however, that much information may be obtained during the present month touching their past and present conditions which I shall lose no opportnnity to elicit and communicate to you. I know that the Department of the Interior should be kept fully advised of all that is going on in this remote region touching the public intrrest.
The most unscrupulous schemes of speculation have been carried on (principally by foreigners) against the public property of the United States, and what is known here as mission property in which I conceive the Indian population of this country have always had more or less interest.
In view of the gross frauds going on, touching both the rights nf the Indians and the interest of the government, I have caused a notice to be published in the "Daily Journal of Commerce," of this city (a copy of wich I have forwarded to you) touching on the numerous unwarrantable seizures and disposition of the lands aforesaid. I regret that I am not able, at this time, to give you a more detailed account of these transactions, but shall by doing so by the going out of the next mail which leaves this port for the States.
I observe two slight mistakes in the publication of the notice: one in my official address; the other touching the bounds of my agency�Captain Sutter having been appointed for the valley of the Sacramento. I have had a conference with him, and it is our intention to start out on our respective routes as soon as the weather becomes settled and the waters of the streams subside, that we can traverse the country with safety. I was glad to learn his appointment, as he is known to almost all the Indians of this country, and is, perhaps, better calculated for success with them than most men.
I have the honor to be, your humble servant,
ADAM JOHNSTON.
Hon. Orlando Brown,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington City.
