Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-01-29

Monterey called upon the commandant and other au-
thortes IN company with the United States Consul and with
all the iormalles usual such occasions and cviy
received explained to General Castro the object of my
coming ins California and my desire to obtain permission TO
winter in the valley Of the San Joaquin for reeshment and
repos where there was plenty OF for the men, and grass
for the horses, and inhabitants to be moeed by pre-
Leave granted and also leave continue my
explorations south the region Of the Rio Colorado and Of
Rio Gia. In the last days Of February commenced the
march souh crossing into the valley Of Salinas, Bucna
Ventura, and soon received notification 10 depart with
formation that General Castro assembling troops with
view to attack US under the petext that had Cali
fornia to excite the American settlers 10 revolt The nr-
nation OF his design authentic, and, with view be in
condition to repe superior force provided with cannon,
took position the Sierra, called the Hawks Peak
enched it. raised the flag of the United States and awaited
the approach Of the assaans At the distance of six miles
we could see them from the Sierra, assembling men, and
hauling cannon; but they did approach and
alter remaining in the position from the h to the 9th OF
March, and seeing that were not to be attacked IN 1T and
determined not to compromise the Government o the United
States, the American settlers who were ready to join me at
all hazards, quit the position gave up all thoughts of pro-
scouting my researches that direction and turned north to-
wards Oregon Disappointed in the vorte design of examn
ing the southern parts of the Alta California and the valley
OF the Ro Colorado and Ga formed another design which
hoped would be of service 10 my country that of
plong route to the Wahlahmath settlements in Oregon,
by the Klamath lakes and thence to return to the United
States by high northern route exploring the country in that
direction In pursuance Of this plan, and by the middle Of
May had reached the northern shore OF the great Klamath
lake, within the limits Of Oregon, when we found our further
progress in that direction obstructed by impossible snowy
mountains and hostile Indians of the formidable Klamath
tribe who had killed or wounded four Of men, and left
repose either upon the march or in the camp. We
the north end Of the Greater Klamath lake, in the Ter
rory of Oregon when the morning OF the 9th was sur
prsed to find ride up camp two One turned out
be Samuel Neal formerly Of my typographical party, and
his companon who quickly informed that United States
officer my TRAIL with dispatches for me, but he doubt
ed whether he would reach that he and his
ba1o Ipd hvt tho IF
horses and that he had left the officer, with three men, two
days behind Upon the spot took nine men, four them Della
Indians coasd the western shore of the lake for sixty
miles, ard met the party. The officer Lieut. Gillespie.
He brought me letter Of introduction from the Secretary Of
State, M Buchanan, and letters and papers from Senator
Benton and his family The letter from the Secretary imported
nothing beyond the ntroducton and directed to in
my private or citizen capacity. The outside envelope of
packet from Senator Benton directed in the way
and Of the letters from him, while apparently of
friendship and family Details contained passages engmatca
and obscure but which studied out and made the meaning
to be that required by the Government to find any
foreign schemes relation to the Cafonias and to
them Lieut. Gillespie bearer of dispatches the
United States Consul Monterey, and directed 10 find
wherever might be and he had in fact travelled above
six hundred miles om Monterey, and through great dangers
reach He had crossed the continent through the heart
of Mexico from Vera Cruz to Mazaap, and the danger Of
his letters falling into the hands of the Mexican Government
had induced the precautions to conceal their meaning The
arrival Of this officer his letter of introduction, things
which he told me- and the letter from Senator Benton had
decided infuence upon my next movement.
Three killed in camp by the Indians the
night Lieut. Gillespie delivered his letters We returned
the camp at the north end Of the lake, pursued andwaylad
but killing two Of the assailants without loss.
determined TO return TO the unsettled parts Of the Sacra
mento, and did Soon the state of things in California
was made known to General Castro approaching with
troops the Indians in California excited against the
tiers in danger well ourselves and all looking for
help. We made common cause, and determined to seek
safety both for them and ourselves not merely in the defeat Of
of
California the establishment of Independent govern
ment in that extensive province In concert and in co-ope
on with the American settlers and in the brief space of about
thirty days. all accomplished north Of the bay OF San Fran
cisco, and Independence declared the 5h day Of July
This was done SoSoaA where the American settlers had
assembled was called by my position and by the general
voice the chief direction Of affairs and the day.
the head Of hundred and sixty mounted emen
to find Gen. Castro He then at Santa Clara, the
south side Of the bay in enenched camp, with four hun
drcl men and some pieces Of artillery We had make
circuit round the head of the bay, and the 10th day Of
July, when Suters Fort received the joyful nte-
gence that Commodore Soat was Monterey had taken it
the h and that existed between the United States
and Mexico. Instantly pulled down the flag Of indepen-
dence and up that Of the United States despatch from
Commodore Soat requested my cooperation and repaired
with my command Gone hundred and sixty mounted res) to
Monterey was ready cooperate with him, but his health
requiring him 10 return TO the United States he elnqushed
the command to Commodore Stockton. He (Com Stockon)
determined TO prosecute hoses 10 the full conquest of the
country and asked coopsaon but service under him.
He made this proposal in writing to Lieut. Gillespie and my
self agreed TO it, and did menthe latter Com
modore Stockton emphatcaly testified before this Court
refusing sickle about terms and pay giving their services
FIRST and trusting their Government far distant as il was to
do them Justice.
Commodore Stockton has proved the Of our engage
ment with him. and that became part Of the naval forces
under his command | went under him with pleasure. |
glad be relieved from the responsibilities of my posi-
ton the time had doubt but that the rhemen
with would have chased Castro with his troops out Of the
country, and that the Californian population might be concia
ted II Commodore Stockton had not taken the command
and lead in the should have continued the work as
had began IT, with the Of my typographical party and the
American settlers and had and have doubt
success
We Lieut. Gillespie and myself joined Commodore Stock
ton for the public good and with sacrifice of inde-
pendent positions. Neither Of could have been command
ed by him, except upon agreement. belonged
the hrmy and at the head of the popular movement in
California The voice Of the people called the
Gillespie of the Marines and was besides on special duty
orders of the President and officer Of any rank could
interfere with him. We might have continued our ndepen-
dent position and carried the war by land We judged
best for the United States renqush that independence
take service under Commodore Stockton obey him. and
did so. His testimony is complete this point.
We became part of the naval forces We under the
command Of the naval commander that station; and
the naval commanders there that the President had special
y assigned the conquest Of California The California bat
TALON Of mounted rifemen then organized Commodore
Stockton appointing all the oices-myse being appointed
major and Lieut. Gillespie captain From that time were
part of the naval forces for the conquest Of the country
omit details OF naval military events in order