The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-29
TcoYYl-No. 80.
HEADQUARTERS. 10Th MIl'y DErr. J.


HEApQUARrERs, 10TH MIL'y DErr.
MoSTEREy, CALIFORNIA, August 10, l64s. I.
SrR: have the honor TO acknowledge the receipt,
on the 9th instant. by overland express, sent
from La Paz, Lower California, by Lieut.. Col Bur-
tom Of the Secretary of Wars letter of March 10th,
l84S. M
Accompanying this was dated City of Mexi
CO, May oath, lS4s, signed by George w. Lay, A..
D. O., informing that the letter OF the Secretary
Of War was entrusted TO the United States Com
missioners, Messrs. Sewer and Clifordi and that
General Butler desired me to consider the trans
mission by them of this communication as equiva.
lent to the official notification from himself"
The letter of the commissioners, dated City Of
Queretaro. May S0th, ls4s, informs me "that peace
is denitveIy settled between the United States and
the republic Of Mexico;" and 'that the amend
ments made by our Senate have been acceded to by
the Mexican government and Of course constitute
part of the treaty.
was, therefore, officially informed, on the even
ing of the 9th instant, that the war with Mexico
was at an end, and that Upper California was ceded
to the United States accordingly issued orders
for the discharge Of the regiment of New York
volunteers, and all others whose periods Of service
end with the war; and also that the collection Of
revenue as military contribution should forthwith
cease.
A proclamation was then issued to the citizens of
California, copy of which you will find among
my civil correspondence, dated August It'll, 184S.
Orders had previously been issued to Lieut.. Col.
Burton TO embark his command for Upper Califor-
mia, in the event of his receiving official notice of
treaty of peace duly ratified whereby Lower Cali
fornia is given back to Mexico and the upper pro-
vince retained. The first part of the Secretary's
instructions was therefore anticipated, and have
now only to fulfil the latter part, viz: "to take
proper measures with view to its Upper Cali
fornia) permanent occupation"
The above the only instructions have re-
ceived from the Department, to guide me in the
course to be pursued, now that has ceased, and
that this country forms an integral part Of the
United States. For the past two years no civil
government has existed here, save that controlled
by the senior military naval officer; and no civil
officers exist in the country the alcaldes ap-
pointed or confirmed by myself. To throw off
upon them, or the people at large, the civil man
agement and control of the country, would most
probably lead to endless confusion, if not to abso-
lutte anarchy; and yet what right or authority have
to exercise civil control, in time Of peace, in
territory of the United States:or if sedition and
rebellion should arise, where is my force to meet
it, Two companies of regulars, every day dimin-
ishing by assertions that cannot be prevented, win
soon be the only military force in California and
they will be of necessity compelled to remain at
San Francisco and Monterey, to guard the large
depots Of powder and munitions of war which can
not be removed. Yet, unsustaiped by military
force, or by any positive instructions, feel COM
PEELED to exercise control the alcades appoint
ed and to maintain order if possible in the coun-
try, until civil governor arrive, armed with in
structions and laws to guide his footsteps
In like manner, if all customs were withdrawn
and the ports thrown open free to the world, San
Francisco would be made the depot of all the foreign
goods in the north Pacific, to theinjury of our reve-
nue. and the interests of our own merchants. To
prevent this great influx Of foreign goods into the
country, duty Free feel it my duty attempt the
collection of duties according to the United States
tariff Of 1916. This will render it necessary for
me to appoint temporary collectors, &C., in the
several ports of entry, for the military force is too
much reduced to attend to these duties.
l am fully aware that, in taking these steps,
have no further authority than that the existing
government must necessarily continue until some
other is organized to take its place, for have been
left without any denitvc instructions in reference
to the existing state of affairs. But the calamites
and disorders which would surely follow the abso-
lutte withdrawal Of even a show Of authority, i'm
poses on me, in my opinion, the imperative duty
to pursue the have indicated until the ar
rival Of dispatches from Washington (Which hope
are already on their way) relative to the organi-
zaton of a regular civil government. In the mean
time, however, should the people refuse to obey the
existing authorities, the merchants refuse to pay
any duties, my force is inadequate to compel
OBEDIENCE.
must call your attention to my letter No 10, of
c. - 1Ssl
and difficulties were forcsecn; and certainly the
Department was fully advised Of the fact that near
ly the entire force ut my command were entitled
to their discharge Immediately upon the reception
of official information Of the ratification Of treaty
Of peace.
do not anticipate any rebellion or revolution ON
the part Of the Cafornians, although the southern
district must be entirely abandoned by the military
force there; and, in fact the minds of all men
are so intenty engaged in getting gold that for the
present they have not time 10 think of mischief,
but IT, upon your receipt Of this measures have not
already been adopted for giving this country suit
able government, would -carnesty recommend
that IL be done possible. Since writing
my letter, No. 10, above referred TO, my mind has
not changed as TO the kind and character OF force
that should be stationed in California; only that
since the discovery Of these rich gold deposits the
pay Of troops sent TO the country should be sufficient
to prevent their deserving; for so sure men come
here at seven dollars a. month, they will desert
with the almost absolute certainty Of being able TO
make ten or twenty dollars day at the mines.
have the honor TO be your most ob't servant,
r. b. MASON,
Col. lat Dragons, Commanding.
General r.. JOKES, Adjt. Gen., Washington, DC.
Proclamation.