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

JOHN Y. MASON.
Com r. F. STOCKTON, FIJI
Coming U. s. naval forces on the .ar
west coast OF Mexico
NAVY DEPAHrMrw,
August II, ls4o
COMMODORE: The United States being in a state OF
by the action Of Mexico is desired by the prose.
secure on advantageous conditions For this purpose
orders have been gwen TO the squadron IN the Pache TO
take and keep Of Upper California sS'psss
Diego and also opportunity offer and the people favor
to take possession, by inland expedition, OF Pueblo
de los Angeles, near San Diego. lE
On reaching the Pacific your first duty will be to as.
certain II these orders have been carried into effect III
not, you will take immediate possession OF Upper Caifor
MA especially OF the three ports OF San Francisco Mon
erey, and San Diego that If the treaty OF peace shall be
made on the basis of the u pOsdeis il may leave Cali
fonia TO the United States.
The relations TO be maintained with the people OF
Upper California are 10 be as friendly as possible.
The flag of the United States must be raised but
under il the people TO be allowed as much lib
erty OF sefgovenment as is consistent with the
general occupation OF the country by the United States
YOU commander chief OF the squadron, may ex-
the right TO nterdct the entrance of any vessel
articles that would be unfayoable TO our success IN the
war, into any OF the enemy ports which you may occu
py With this exception all United States vessels and
merchandise must be allowed by the local authorities Of
the ports of which you take possession to come and go
free Of duty but on foreign vessels and goods reasona
BILE duties may be imposed collected and disposed OF BY
the local authorities, under your general superintend-
ence. D.
military force has been directed by the Secretary oil
War TO proceed to the western coast OF California, Tor
the purpose of cooperation with the navy in taking pos
session Of and holding the ports and positions which
have been specified and for otherwise operating against
Mexico ...r
A detachment OF these troops consisting of company
Of artillery under command OF Captain Tompkins, has
sailed the United States ship Lexington. regiment
OF volunteers, under Colonel Stevenson, will soon sail
from New York and body OF troops, under BrgadI er
General keay may reach the coast over GG santa o re-
kns and General Kearny relates 10 objects requiring
cooperation, are herewith enclosed.
By article O. OF the General Regulations Of the Army,
edition OF 1885, which is held By the War Department
to be still in force, and of which enclose you copy
your commission, places you, in point OF Preedsnee on
in the class of major general but officer OF the ar
my navy whatever may be his rank, can assume any
direct command, independent OF consent over an ocer
of the other service excepting only when land forces
especially embarked in vesses-owar to do the duty OF
marines. .. ..
The President expects and requires however, the
cordial and eecual cooperation between the officers OF
the two services in taking possession Of and holding the
ports and positions of the enemy which are designated IN
the instructions to either both branches of the ser
vice. and will hold any commander OF either branch to
strict responsibility for any failure to preserve har
mony and secure the objects proposed.
The land forces which have been will be, sent to the
Pacific, may be dependent upon the vessels OF your
squadron for transportation from point to another,
and for shelter and protection in OF being compelled
to abandon positions the coast II may be necessary
also to furnish transportation for their supplies, or to fur
nlsh the supplies themselves by the vessels under your
direction. E.t. v -.
In all such cases. you will furnish all the assistance in
your power which will interfere with objects that
in your opinion are OF greater importance. II. b.
You will taking care, however, to advise with any
land officer of high rank-say, OF the rank of brigader
general who may be at handy make the necessary regu
ations for the posts that may be occupied. . .-. =.
Having provided for the full possession OF Upper Cali
fornia the point of Importance is the Gull of Calf
fornia From the best judgment can form, you should
take possession of the port of Guymas The progress OF
arms will probably be SUCH that in conjunction with
land forces, you will be able to hold possession Of Guy
mas, and to reduce all the country north OF the
gulf. @.
AS to the ports south of it, especially MaZaan and
Acapulco, it is not possible to give you special nstruc
tons. Generally, you will take possession Of block
ade, according to your best Judgment all Mexican ports
far your means allow but south OF Guymas, if the
provinces rise up against the central government, and
manifest friendship toward the United States you may,
according to your discretion enter into temporary agree
ment Of neutrality But this must be done only condi
ton that ships have free to their ports, and
equal commercial rights with those OF other nations that
you allowed to take in water and fuel to purchase
supplies to 60 to and from shore without obstrucon as
in time Of peace and that the provinces which thus
neutral shall absolutely abstain from contributing to-
wards the continuance OF the by the central govern
ment of Mexico against the United States. -tr ,T -r
and bear in mind that the greater advantages you obtain
the speedy and the advantageous will be the
peace.
Should Commodore Bdde be in the Pacific, off the
shores of Mexico at the time you arrive there, you will
report yourself to him. and long he remains OH the
OF Mexico, you will act under his direction, in
cert with him, communicating to him these instructions
The Savannah, the Warren, and the Levan ought soon
to return. If you hear OF peace between the United States
and Mexico, you will at once send them home. .
| II continues you will send them home sngly OF
in company the earliest day they be spared The
| ,nnh, will IN NaIu Npry and fla nd