Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-12-29
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A military force has been directed BY the Sec.

a military force has been directed oy Inc oee
re,ary of Var 10 proceed 10 The western coas. -
California, Tor The purpose of co-oPeIauon W. ~
the navy in taking possession oil, ana nou'ns saI
ports and positions which have b'en sPee'Hs''
and for otherwise operating against Mexico
A detachment OF these troops, conSishn. OF d
company Of artillery, under command Of Cap
lain Tompkins, has sailed in the United STATES
ship Lexington. A regiment OF volunteers, un'
der Col. Stevenson, will soon sail from New
York; and body OF troops, under Brieadler Gen.
Kearny, may reach The coast over Santa re.-
Copies Of SO much Of the Instructions to captain
Thompkins and Gen. Kearny as relates TO oo-
jects requiring CO operation, are herewith encios
ed.
By article 6, of The Central Regulations Of ne
ANN. edition of 1925, which is held BY the wa
Department 10 be still in force, and OF ~hich
enclose you copy your commission, places you,
in pon, Of precedence, on occasions OF ceremony,
or upon meetings for consultation, IN the class u
major general; but no officer OF The army or
navy, whatever may be his rank can assume
any direct command, independent OF consent
over any officer OF The other service, excepting
only when land forces are especially embarked
in vessels OF war TO do the duty Of marines.
The President expects and requires, however
The most cordial and effectual cooperation be-
tween The officers CT the two servicers, IN taking
possession of and holding, the ports and positions
OF the enemy which are designated in The nstruc-
lion. to either or both branches Of The service, and
will hold any commander cf either branch TO
strict responsibility for any failure 10 preserve
harmony and secure the objects proposed.
The land forces which have been, or will be,
sent 10 The Pacific, may be dependent upon
the vessels of your squadron for transportation
from one point to another, and for shelter and pro-
lection in case OF being compelled to abandon
positions on the coast. I, may he necessary also
10 furnish transporalons for their supplies, OF 10
furnish The supplies themselves, by the vessels I'M
der your direction.
In all such cases, you will furnish all the as
sislance in your power which will not interfere
with objects that in your opinion are Of greater
importance.
You will taking care, however, 10 advise with
any land officer OF hish rank-say, OF The rank
oil brigadier general who may be al HANDY make
The necessary regulations Tor the posts that may
be occupied.
Having provided for The full possession OF Up
per California, the next point of importance is he
Gull Of California. From the best Judgment |
can form, you should take possession OF me port oil
Guymas. The progress OF our arms VIII Prooa'
bly, be such that, in conjunction with land forces,
you will be able 10 hola possession OF Guymas,
gulf
As to The ports south of it, especially Mazatlan
and Acapulco, il is not possible 10 give you spe-
cia instructions. Generally, yon will take pos
session Of or blockade, according 10 your best
judgment, all Mexican ports, as far as your
means allow but south Of Guymas, il the pro-
vinces rise up against The central government, and
manifest friendship toward the United States you
may, according 10 your discretion, enter into
temporary agreement Of neutrality. But ms must
BIZ done only on condition that our ships have free
access to their ports, and equal commercial rights
with those Of other nations: that you are allowed
10 lake in waller and fuel 10 purchase supplies /;
to 60 10 and from shore without obstruction, as IN
time Of peace; and that The provinces which arc
thus neutral shall absolutely abstain from conlrl.
buiing towards the continuance Of The war ny nc
central government Of Mexico against Inc United
States.
Generally, you will exercise the rights OF a bel
ligereni, and bear in mind, that the greater advan-
iagcs you obtain, lhe more speedy and The more
advantageous will be The peace.
Should Com. Bidde be in the Pacific, on the
shores If Mexico, al The time you arrive there,
you will report Yourself 10 him; and, as long as
he remains of The coast of Mexico, you will act
under his direction, in concert with him, commu-
ncating 10 him these instructions.
The Savannah, the Warren, and the Levant
ought soon 10 return II you hear OF peace be-
tween the United States and Mexico, You will
II once send them home.
Ii war continues, you will send them home
sinsly or in company, at The earliesi day they can
b'spared. The Savannah will go 70 New YORK,
ami the Warren and Leyant 10 Norfolk.
Very respectfully, yours,
GEORGE BANCROFT.
Com w +. SnuBRrcK,
Appointed 10 command the U. ).
Naval forces in The Pacific ocean.