Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-13


public interest," you liberty take them from the enemy
without compensation, pay such prices may be deemed
just and reasonable The best policy in this respect depends
knowledge OF circumstances i'm which placed and
/ is left to your discretion.
The Secretary OF War has ordered Col r. b. Mason, LIST
United States dragoons to proceed California via Panama.
who will command the troops and conduct the military opera
tons in the Mexican territory bordering the Pacific, in
the absence of Bgader General Kearny. The commander
of the naval forces will consult and cooperate with him in his
command to the same extent if he held higher rank in
the army In all questions Of relative rank he is to be
garded as having only the rank of Colonel.
The President has deemed best the public interests to
invest the military officer commanding with the direction of
the operations land and with the administrative functions
of Government the people and territory occupied by
You will renquish to Col Mason, to General kearny if
latter shall arrive before you have done the entire
troll over these matters and turn TO him all papers
cessary the performance OF his duties If officers OF the navy
employed in the performance Of civil military duties,
you will withdraw continue Them your discetoD taking
put them to appropriate duty the squadron if the
army officer commanding does wish their services on land
The establishment OF port regulations subject which
II deemed by the President most appropriate that the naval
commander shall exercise jurisdiction. You will establish
these, and communicate them the military commander who
will carry them into effect far his cooperation may be
necessary suggesting for your consideration notifications
| alterations
The regulation Of the import is also confded you.
The conditions under which vessels Of citizens and
of neuras may be admitted into ports of the enemy in your
posseon will be prescribed by you subjects the Instructions
heretofore given To aid you, copies Of instructions to the
collectors in the United States, from the Treasury Depart
ment the subject enclosed On cargoes of
trails imported into such ports you nay impose moderate du
ties, not greater than those collected the ports Of
the United States The collection of these duties will be
made by civil officers, to be appond and subject to the game
rules other persons charged whcvl duties the country
These appointments will be made by the military officers on
consultation with you. ia
The President directs impress earnestly on the
naval officers, it is impressed those of the army the i'm
poance of harmony the performance delicate du-
yubit Theya If h,,y
will doubt not, with each other in showing which
render the efficient aid to the other in the execution of
common ORDERS and in sustaining the national honor which
is confded to both.
You will make your communications the Department as
frequent as possible
The great distance which your command is Placed and
the mpossibliy Of maintaining frequent regular
municaon with you, necessarily induce the Department
leave much Of the details of your operations your discre
ton. The confident belief entertained that with The gene
raj outline given the instructions, you will pursue
which will make the enemy sensible Of power nict
on them the evils of while will to the United
States, if denve treaty of peace shall give California
population impressed with justice, grateful for our
mency and prepared to love institutions and honor
our flag
On your being relieved in the command of the squadron
you will hand your instructions the officer relieving you
am, very respectfully, your obedent servant,
JOHN Y. MASON.
Com. r. F. STOCKTON,
Coming IT, S. naval forces the west coast Of Mexico.
The witness proceeded. / received at the same time an
from the Army Regulations regard to the relative
rank between navy and army officers The
ken from the edition of 1925 These papers received from
COL Mason about the 18th February, ls47.
The extract read, follows
"Reatiue rank and precedence Of land and sea officers
"24. The military officers Of the land and services of
the United States shall rank together follows ls lieu
tenant of the navy with captains of the army 3D. mas
ter commandment with majors 3d. captain Of the navy
from the date OF his commissions with lieutenant coones
4h Five thereafter, with coonels 9Th. Ten years
thereafter with bugader generals and, 9th, Fifteen years
after the date OF his commission with major generals But
should there be created the navy the rank ADMIRAL
then such rank only shall be considered equal that ma
jor general.
"25. Nothing in the preceding paragraph shall authorize
land officer to command any United States vessel or navy
yard nor any officer command any part of the army on
land neither shall officer Of the service have right
TO demand any compliment the Of rank from an Of
6cer of the other service
26. Land troops serving board United States vessel
marines, shall be subject the orders Of the sea officer in
command thereof Other land troops embarked on hoard such
vessels ioransporaon merely, will be considered in respect
to the naval commanders, passengers subject neverhe
ess, to the internal regulations of the vessels"
The witness resumed On the arrival in California Of Col
Stevenson Of the New York regiment Of volunteers early
in March, received from him communication to me from
the War Department. of September -, 1896 The paper
read, follows
Wan DEPARTMENT
SIN volunteer regiment raised the State Of New
York, engaged during the WARMTH Mexico and to
be discharged wherever they may be- its termination if in
territory of the United States has been mustered into ser
vice. and about embark at the port of New York for
California This force is TO be part Of your command but
as may reach the place Of its destination before you are in
condition to subect TO your ORDERS the colonel Of the reri
men j. ID. Stevenson has been furnished with instructions
Tor his conduct in the time. herewith send YOU copy
thereof as well copy of the instructions of the Navy De-
partment to the commander of the naval squadron in the Pa
clic copy Of letter TO General Taylor, with circular
from the Treasury Department copy Of letter from Gen.
Scott to Capt Tompkins and copy Of general regulations
relative TO the respective rank of naval and army officers
These far applicable, will be looked upon in the light OF
instructions to yourself The Department exceedingly de-
Tous TO be furnished by you with full Information Of your
progress and proceedings, together with your opinion and
views your into California having reference
to me route, &C. Beyond the regiment under the COM
mand Of Col Price, and the separate battalion called for at
the same time by the President from the Governor of Mis-
souri, requion for regiment Of infantry was issued on
the 18th OF July last but the information subsequently re-
ceived here induced the belief that would not be needed
and the difficulty of passing the route at so late pes
rod in the season, with the requisite quantity of supplies
&c. deemed great that the orders to muster io scr
vice have been countemanded II will not be sent Your
views TO the sucency Of your force and the pactabty
of sustaining larger one &c desired.
am, with great respect, your obedient servant
w. l.. MARCY, Secretary Of War.
Gen. s. w. KEAnSr, Fort Lcavenworth, Missouri
With that letter received copy Of the papers alluded to
in it and thus il will be that received duplicate copies
Of the extract from the Army Regulations of 1926 concerning