The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-09-26
PARTICULARS OF THE CAPTURE OF
CALIFORNIA

The New York Commercial has been permitted
to extract The following from letter received in
that city on Monday from an officer now on board
The United States ship Levant. who was on board
the United States frigate Savannah Commodore
Sloat, when that officer took formal possession of
California AS this affords the most particular
account yet published of this conquest. we pre-
sumo our citizens will pursue it with satisfaction.
ON BOARD U. S. SHIP LEvANr,3
OFF Mazatlan, Aug. 10. 1916.
wrote to you from Monterey on the 9th of
July. or shortly after, giving you detailed &C.
count OF the occurrences at that place, fearing,
however, that you may not have received it.
forward it to you by this opportunity, which Will
probably be the last CT Communication YOU will re-
ceive from me, being now homeward bound
On the 9th of July all was hustle in the cabin
of The Savannah some four or FIVE men were
busily employed writing letters, proelamations,
&C., preparatory TO taking possession of Califor
mia. II was long after the wtching hour of mid
night ere | was enabled to catch short and
troubled repose, as all was to be prepared by six
O'Clock the following morning, which came as
bright and beautiful as July day of our own
favored island. At 6 A. NJ, Captain Mervins
came on board to receive orders. and at he left
with summons to tho military commandant of
Monterey to surrender The place forthwith to the
arms Of the United States. and also similar
summons to the military Governor for the surren-
der of all California
At 9. A. NJ. on the 7th JAY, the expedition
started from the Savannah, composed Of the boats
of the Savannah. Levant and Cyane. and landed
without opposition at the mole. The forces were
then marched up short distance to the custom
house. where a concourse Of the inhabitants were
assembled Here the marines and men were
halted, and the proclamation read TO the multitude
by ROdman M. Price, Esq, purser of the Cysne,
in l0ud and distinct manner, which was recev ed
with three hearty cheers by those present The
flag of the United States was then hosied BY act
ing Lieut.. Edward Higgins, Immediately after
which salute Of 81 guns was fired by the Sa-
vannah and Cvane. The custom house was then
turned into barracks for the United States forces
and everything settled down quietly.
Communications were Immediately despa tched
10 Commander Montgomery, Of the Portsmouth.
at ST. Francisco, at which place. and at Zanonia,
the United States flag was hosied on the morn
ing Of the 9th; and before ten days had ELAPSED
the whole Of California, north of Monterey. was
under the flag Of the United States, much 10 the
apparent satisfaction Of the people, who hope it
viii last knowing how much better they will be
of under the Government Of the United States.
On the 10th Of July, Capt. Stockton arrived -,
too late, however, to participate directly in tax
ing possession Of California
On the Z9th, Commodore Sloat gave up the
command TO Commodore Stockton, hoisted his
nag on board the Levant, and sailed for the Uni
Ted oiates via MszaiIan and Panama, and we hope
10 reach he United States in all November.