The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-22

American post or posts the waters OF the racine IN
California, Is left to your discretion
The object OF the United States is under its rights as
begeent nation to possess itself entirely OF Upper Cal
fornia
will if possible send small vessel Of war to take and
hold possession OF the port OF San Diego and would
be well to ascertain the views OF the inhabitants OF
Pueblo DE los Angeles who, according 10 information
received here may be counted upon desrous OF com
ing under the jurisdiction Of the United States If you
can rt take possession Of j, you should do So ala,
OF the u possdes shall be established, the government
expects through forces, be found in actual pos
session OF Upper California.
This will bring with the necessity of civil admins
traton Such government should be established under
due respect should be had TO the wishes of The people OF
California, well TO the actual possessors OF author
iy that province may be proper to require an oath
nused with authority. You will also assure the peo-
pie OF California OF the protection of the United States
In reference to commercial regulations in the ports
OF which you in actual possession, ships and produce
oil the United States should come and go free OF duty.
For your further instruction, enclose you copy OF
confidential instructions from the War Department to
Brgader General s. W Kearny, who is ordered overland
to California You will also communicate your instruc
tons TO him, and inform him that they have the sanction
OF the President
The government relies the land and naval forces to
cooperate with each other in the most friendly and eff
fectye manner
After YOU shall have secured Upper California if your
force sufficient you will take possession Of and keep the
harbors the Gulf of California, far down at least
Guymas But this is not to interfere with the permanent
occupation OF Upper California.
regiment OF volunteers from the State OF New York
to during the have been called for BY the
eminent and are expected to sail from the hrst to the
tenth OF August. This regiment WILL in the first in
stance, report TO the naval commander your station,
but will ultimately be under the command Of General
kearny, who is appointed to conduct the expedition by
land
The term OF three years having nearly expired since
you have been in command of the Pacific squadron,
Commodore Shubrck will be sent out in the indie
Pendence TO relieve you. The department confidently
hopes that all Upper California will be in hands be-
fore the relief shall arrive
Very respectfully, "
GEORGE BANCROFT.
Commodore JOHN D. SLoAr
Commanding U. S. naval forces in the Pacific ocean.
CONFIDENTIAL
UNITED STATES Navy DEPARTMENT,
Washington, Nov 5, 1916.
COMMODORE: Commodore Soat has arrived in this
city, and delivered your letter of the 2Sth July ut with
the copy of your address TO the people of California
which accompanied it, The department is gratifed that
you joined the squadron before the state OF the
dores health rendered necessary for him TO renqush
his important command.
The difficulties and embarrassments of the command
Of the instructions of the department, which followed
those proceedings, are Justly appreciated and it is highly
gratifying that much has been done in anticipation OF
the orders which have been transmitted
You will, without doubt, have received the dispatches
OF the 10Th OF May last addressed to Commodore Soat
and now send you, for your guidance, a copy of in
struceons 10 Commodore Shubrck OF the 18th August
lie sailed early IN September the Independence
with orders to join the squadron with the least possible
delay on ms assuming the command, you may hoist a
red pendant If you prefer you may hoist your pendant
Warren.
The existing war with Mexico has been commenced
by her Every disposition was felt and manifested by
the United States government to procure redress for the
injuries OF which we complained and to settle all COM
plants on her part IN the spirit of peace and of Justice
which has ever characterized intercourse with for
elgn Nations That disposition still exists and whenever
the authorizes OF Mexico shall manifest willingness
to ADJUST unsettled points OF controversy between the two
republics and to restore honorable peace, they will
be met IN corresponding spirit
This consummaton is not to be expected nor is our
national honor to be maintained, without a vigorous
prosecution of the war on our part Without being ami
mated 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 You will, therefore, under no circumstances
voluntarily lower the FLAG of the United States or rein
quish the actual possession of Upper California or
other points of the Mexican territory which the forces
under your command may occupy, YOU will maintain
the possession, withdraw, as in Your Judgment may
be most advantageous in prosecution of the war
In regard to your intercourse with the inhabitants of
the country YOUR views are udcous and Won will CON
form to the instructions heretofore given You will ex-
erclse the rights of beligerent and If Won find that
the liberal policy of our government in purchasing and
paying for required supplies misunderstood and its ex
ecise is injurious to the public interest Won are at liberty
to take them from the enemy without COMPENSATION or
pay such prices as NAV be deemed lust and reasonable
he host in