Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-12-29
CONFIDENTIAL
IINl-En STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT,

UNITED STATES NAVY
Washington, Nov. 5, 1876. J
Commodore: Commodore Sloal has arrSei in
this civ. and delivered your letter Of The 2Sh July
| ut. with III. copy of your address TO The people of
California which accompanied il. The depart
ment is graifitd that you joined the squadron be-
fore the state of the commodore's health rendered
il necessary or him 10 relinqush his important
command.
The difficulties and embarrassments OF the
command, without knowledge of The proceed
incs OF Congress on the subject of The war with
Mexico and in The absence OF The instructions OIL
the department, which followed those proceedings,
are justly appreciated; and il is highly gratifying
that SO much has been done in anticipation oil The
orders which have been transmitted.
You will without doubt have received The des-
patches OF the 18th Of May last, addressed TO
Commodore Sloai; and now send you, Tor your
guidance, copy of instructions 10 Commodore
Shubrick OF The 9Th August. He sailed early in
September, in the razee independence, with orders
10 lcn The squadron with the least possible delay
On his assuming The command, you may hoist
red pendant. II you prefer, you may hoist your
pendant on The Savannah, and return home with
her and the Warren
The existing war with Mexico has been CON-
menced by her. Every disposition was fell and
manifested by The United States Government 10
planned, and 10 settle all complaints on her paH,
in The spirit OF peace and Of justice, which has
ever characterized our intercourse with foreign
nations That disposition still exists and When
ever The authorities of Mexico shall manifest
willingness TO adjust unsettled points oil conlro-
yersy between the two republics and 10 restore an
honorable peace, they will be met in a cores
pondiRg spirit.
This contamination is not 10 be expected, nor
is our national honor 10 be maintained, without
vigorous prosecution OF the war on our part
Wi,hou, being animated By any ambitious spirit
OF conquest, our naval and military forces must
hold The ports and territory of the enemy OF which
possession has been Obtained by their arms
You will, therefore, under no circumstances
voluntarily lower the flag of The United States, or
relinquish The actual possession of Upper Cali
inrnia. Otother points OF the Mexican territory,
which The forces under your command may &C.
cupy, you will maintain the possession or with
draw, as in your Judgment may be most advan-
taseous in prosecution Of the war.
In regard To Your intercourse with the inhabi
tanIs Of The country, your views are Judciou'
and you will conform 10 the instructions hereto
fore given. You will exercise The rights Of be-
ligeren and if you find that The liberal policy Of
our government, in purchasing and paying ioT
requiied supplies, is misunderstood, and is rSer-
liberty 10 lake them from The enemy without COM
pensaiion, or pay such prices as may be deemed
| Just and reasonable The best policy in this le-
spec depends on a knowledge OF circumstances
in which you are placed, and is left 10 your dis
crelion.
The Sec etary Of War has ordered Col. r. B.
Mason, Isl u. 5. dragoons 10 proceed 10 Cali
lorna, via Panama, who will command the troops
and conduct the military operations in The Mex
lean territory bordering on The Pacific in the alb
sence Of Brgadier General kearny. The COM
mander OF The naval forces will consult and Co
| operate with him in his command, 10 The same
extent as if he held higher rank in The army
In all questions Of relative ratk, he is 10 BE- re-
sarded as having only The rank OF Co 9 l ,,u.-
lie interests 10 invest the military officer COM
manding with The direction ut The operations on
land. ard with the administrative functions oi 60
veinment the people and territory occupied
nv us. You will relinquish IL Col. Mason, or 10
General kearny, il the latter shall arrive before
you have done So the entire control over these
matters and turn over 10 him all papers nrces-
sary 10 The performance Of his dntes. ltoficers
oil The navy are employed in The periorma nee Of
civil or military duties, you will Withdraw or con-
linue them, At your discretion, taking care 10 put
Them 10 their appropriate duty in Inc squadron,
il The army officer commanding does not wish
their services on land
The establishment OF port regulations is sub
fec, over which it is deemed by the President
most appropriate that the naval commander shall
exercise jurisdiction. You will establish these,
and communicate them 10 The military command
e;, who will carry them into effect SO far as his
cooperation may be necessary, Suggesting for
your consideration notifications or alterations.
The regulation OF The import trade is also con.
fded 10 YOU The conditions under which YES
sells OF our own citizens and Of neulras may be
admitted into ports OF the enemy in your posses
sion, will be prescribed by you, subject 10 The in
slrucions heretofore given. To aid you, copies
Of instructions 10 the collectors in The United
States, from The Treasury Department. on the
same subject are enclosed. On car2oes Of neu-
trails imported into such ports, you may impose
moderate duties, not greater in amount han those
collected in the ports vi The United States The
| collection Of these duties will be made BY civil Of
fcers, TO be appointed, and subject 10 the same
rules as other persons charged with civil duties in
the country These appointments will be made
by The military officers in consultation with you.
The President directs me TO impress most ear
neslly on The naval officers, as il is impressed on
those OF the army, the Importance OF harmony in
the performance ottheir delicate duties, while CO.
operating. They are arms OF one body, and will,
| | doubt not vie with each other in showing which
HE execution OF common orders, and in sustain
ing the national honor, which is confded 10 both.
You will make your communications 10 the
department a. frequent as possible.
The great distance al which your command is
placed, and the impossibilily of maintaining
| lrequest or regular communication with you, ne
cessarily induce The department. TO leave much Of
The details Of your operations TO your discretion.
The confident belief is entertained, that, with The
general outline given in the instructions, you will
pursue ccourse which will make The enemy SEN
sible of our power 10 inhict on then, the evils OF
war, while il will secure TO The United States, il
a'defnve treaty OF peace shall give us California,
population impressed with urjuslice, grateful
Tor our clemency, and prepared 10 love our insli-
luons and 10 honor our flag.
On your being relieved in The command of the
squadron you will hand your instructions 10 The
officer relieving you.
| am, very respectfully,
Your obedicnt servant,
JOHN Y. MASON.
Com. r. F. STOCKTON,
Coming U. S. naval forces
on the west coast of Mexico,