Fort Vancouver, Columbia River, A.L.S. 4p. Regrading his collecting activities, travel in Hawaii, experiences on his trip. Refers to fishes. Mentions sending Chinook person's jaw bone.
Has been very sick for weeks as has wife and two boys. Will be able to go to Rivers Inlet soon where he expects to be able to get red cedar bark he's never heard of before. Bought some hamsewe and will get stories for it soon. Tells of recent incident with Harlan Smith where he Hunt had his sisters offer him free lodging. Smith had casts taken of Indians. Smith left all his traps with Hunt's sister. Mrs. Smith put something against Hunt's sister in a Victoria newspaper. "Indians said that they will never let Mr. Smith come to Fort Rupert again to [steal] their graves." Smith borrowed David's boat but returned it with keel worn down. Hemasaka went to Victoria where he heard a speech about Boas's comments about the Kwagu'ł. Hunt was called into a feast and told in front of everyone that "they don't want you or me to see the dance of any kind again." Mr. Spencer against Hunt and Boas. "The only thing I am wishing for is for my life be spared." Will not work for Mr. Spencer this year. Sending 25 pages of stories. Working on oldest man's recollection of how many generations of eldest sons and daughters he can recall, going back 17 generations.
Written from Astoria, Oregon. Discusses Indigenous ancestors' remains taken by Tuttle in southern coastal Oregon, and others not yet taken, that he is offering to Boas.
The activities described in this letter may be extremely difficult to read, especially for Indigenous researchers from the communities described. This letter address the shipment of Indigenous ancestors' remains from multiple communities on Vancouver Island, obtained by grave robbing conducted by William and James Sutton, sent to Franz Boas at his direction. The letter mentions Lewkungen (referred to as "Songeesh") and Cowichan remains, and others from Esquimalt. Specific locations of burial sites are not disclosed.; This letter was previously cataloged as from "Anonymous," as the second page with signature is missing. The letter was identified as from William Sutton by Brian Carpenter in June 2019.
