MERCEDE RIVER, May 8, 1851.
Dear Sir: Having understood that you are the proper officer or agent of the United States to make application to for license and authority to trade with the Indians settled on the reservation between the
Mercede and Tuolumne rivers, I, George G. Belt, of Stockton, California, do hereby make application to trade with the Indians of said reservation. The place at which I desire to establish a trading-post is on the Mercede river, at a point known as Howard's Ferry. The amount of capital which I propose employing in trade will be from six to eight thousand dollars. The only person whom I expect to employ in my service immediately is my brother, Upton Belt, as a clerk. Should it become necessary to employ others hereafter, their names, and all necessary informnaion, will be prompt]y furnished you.
1 am, my dear sir, respectfully yours, &c.;,
GEO. G. BELT.
Col. A. JOHNSTON,
Indian Agent.
