The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-22
UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT,
WashinVtnn NAV IS ISl6

Washington, May IS, lslG.
COMMODORE: By my letter OF the 18th instant for
warded TO YOU through different sources, in rplcate,
OF which copy is enclosed, you were informed OF the
existing state oil between this government and the
republic of Mexico, and referred to your instructions
bearing date June 2ith lS45 in reference to such con-
tngency and directed to carry into effect the orders then
communicated with energy and promputude, and adopt
such other for the protection OF the persons and
interests the rights and the commerce OF the citizens oil
the United States your sound Judgment may deem TO
be required"
| transmit YOU herewith, by the hands OF Midshipman
McRae, whom you will employ your station, hle OF
papers containing the Presidents message and the pro:
ceedings OF Congress, relative TO the existing state OF
war with Mexico. The President by authority OF Con-
gress has made proclamation OF between the United
States and Mexico You will find copy OF the procla-
nation in the papers enclosed.
You will henceorth exercise all the rights that belong
to You commander in-chief OF belligerent squad
You will consider the most important public object to
be- to take and to hold possession of San Francsco and
this you will do without fail
You will also take possession of Mazatlan and oil
Monterey or both, as your force will permit.
II information received here is correct you can estab-
sh friendly relations between Your squadron and the IN
habitants OF each OF these three places.
Guymas is also good harbor and Is believed to be de-
fenceess You will judge about attempting It,
When you cannot take and hold possession OF town,
you may establish blockade II you have the means to
do it efectualy and the public interest shall require it.
With the expression OF these views, much is left to
your discretion to the selection OF the points OF at,
tack the ports you will seze the ports which you will
blockade and as to the order OF your successive move
ments.
A connexon between California, and even Sonora and
the present government of Mexico supposed scarcely
to exist You will as opportunity offers, conciliate the
confidence OF the people in California and also In Sono.
a, towards the government of the United States; and
will endeavor to render their relations with the Uni
ted States as intimate and friendly possible
II is important that you should hold possession at least,
of San Francisco, even while you encourage the people
to neutrality, self-government, and friendship.
Yon can readily conduct yourself in such manner as
will render your occupation OF San Francisco and other
ports a benefit to the inhabitants.
Commodore Bdde has left, will soon leave, China.
II occasion offers will send letters for him, TO our
agent at the Sandwich Islands; conveying to him the
wish of the department that he should appear at of
California or Sonora
You will inform the department, by the earliest oppor-
tunity of those ports which you blockade. You will
notify neutrals OF any declaration of blockade you may
make, and give to all proper publicity Your blockade
must be strict permitting only armed vessels OF neutral
powers enter; but to neuals already in the ports,
you will allow twenty days TO leave them.
The frigate Potomac" and soop Saratoga" have
been ordered to proceed possible into the Pa
der Shubck in the Saratoga directed to report to you at
Mazatlan wherever else they may find your forces
You will do WELL if occasion offers, to send orders to
Callao and Valparaiso, nsructing them where to meet
you.
Other reinforcemens will be you the exgences
OF the service may require.
You will communicate with the department as often as
you can, and you will, if practicable send messenger
with dispatches the country the Del Norte and
so to Washington.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE BANCROFT.
Commodore JoHN D. SLoAT,
Commanding U. S. naval forces in the Pacific.