Sylvester Woodbridge, a Presbyterian pastor, may have been one of the first to suggest a plan for the initial California Reserves. This certainly helped the effort for writing treaties with the tribes in 1851.
Sylvester Woodbridge, January 23rd, 1850
Benecia, California
(Recd. 18 March 1850)
To General Zachary Taylor
President of the United States
Memorial on 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 honour of and interview with you at your residence in Baton Rouge, embolden me to address you. Respectfully, I would represent, that the Indians in the Sierra Nevada are driven in large numbers from their usual haunts, are consequently deprived of their customary food-acorns, and hence are exposed to starvation. That they are often killed, because when urged by hunger they have attempted to seize the horses or cattle of the American emigrants. That Indian women and children, guilty of no offense are frequently put to death, and sometimes in cool blood, in these onslaughts. That the system of serfdom still continues on the Spanish ranches in their 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 judgement of 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 Mission is unoccupied and already stocked at least partially with wild cattle. Valley of Rio de los Reyes is a fertile country not in a gold region. Beriess 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 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 bureaux 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
Sylvester Woodbridge Jr.
Benecia, California, January 23rd, 1851
(M234, California, Reel 32, pp 137-139)
Nobel benevolence is the reasoning. I wonder what the tribes think of this today? California Statehood was not until Sept 9, 1850- tribes in the state were never given the right to remain in their lands, even though in many areas, like Del Norte, the Spanish had not settled nor taken their lands. So Reservations were simply a land grant to the tribe through some sort of noble honor! Benevolently allowing them to stay alive on a reservation!
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