The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-24
Tn. California Oocumon ss.


Annexed will be found the letter Of the Secretary OF
War concerning the documents relating to CALIFORNIA
furnishe from his Office and submitted with the mes
sage of the PRECEDENT to the House Of Representative
ON Monday last -
Wan Drr.RrMrsr, wAsyrsoroy, Jan. IS, 1850.
Sin IL have the honor Of laying before you copies Of
Documents en brscng information called for from
this department by resolution Of the House Of Re-
marx that the exercise Of civil authority BY any
military officer in California, since the termination OF
prissdier General Mason, under bis procisma.ion
which Issued on the 18th of August 1S4S the next
dss after the intelligence reached him that peace
had been restored between the United States and
Mexico. This proclamation communicated to
the department on the 22d Of November, 1s4s, and
the 27th Of January 1919, without any cocament
On the 18th Of April ls4s this officer relieved Of
his command In Cell orns and succeeded by Bravet
Brgadier General Riley At this period IL appears to
have been the purpose Of this latter officer, with the
advice Of his TO have the people
Of that territory a farther enjoy of the VS. Gus
tens and ussges applicable TO their condition and
wants and at the time to have provided for the
Organization of government such Is coste plated
by the ninth article OF the of Guadsup Hdago
and the constitution of the United States rhe
OF delay In executing the purposes of this ocer fully
explained by the following extract from a communities
tion from the commanding general Of the Pacific divi
sien. dated January 20 1919, 10 this Department.
Under the hope that act of the last Congress
bad provided, at least defined the government Of
CabforIia II was thought prudeDt TO await Intelligence
OF ths close Of the session and then II nothing had
been done st Washington to put ia action the maohi-
OF TIE tAlttng here ard At tns
time proIcss 10 the people Of California form state
constitution, prsst it ct the session OF Con-
gIt6s WHEN ih.ir admission into the uun State
would at ons solve many dG.cultes and while IL
removed csu,e ot Engagement at home would give
them opportunity II Eislaiog tor them selves.
" he steamer Eai1h had b. en- sent 20 Mszstlsu for
The necestars intelligence ana, her arrg al with in
rmasiSu that lie oth,t thaa revenue Law had been
passed General RILEY 'sued n proclamation for the
election Of he Necessary executive and Judicial officers
uCGsr TIE existirg laws. and recommending, st the
same time the election ~ dele gates 10 CONVENTION 70
time tbtfe tClaEStio about being issued aud
II vas matter Cf great ,oDgrtuisuou that the govern
meut by anticipation hsd approved OF the latter
meGeure Every vii b. used 10 give the people
ofCalorris "Ppoetposfy o. expresrs their wishes
On This p"inI ana II br retng the matters to happy
cotclUsicp."
The necettity OF civil gove,r mont In California
ton, oupesrd ~ porsrus who had hCcksd fom al
quarters Of the globe daily rendered sppa
rent Tie common employ n-nt in which every in
teiett Was Directly reuio'"y connected aud ~ AZ
arr iIilsr in tsbi amt languagvu. ara probably
part rot Without iiyrN ~ exclusive eDj n.y.
mept tho~vo IN sb-CN5- u authority capable
Of uThoio;rg pubic std Fivatr rights tndetd, this
want vas 70 obyo's ureeot thar legislative
bsE e,tarl shtc districts California
and by their auth M tie 'xsling customs and laws
RreRdy Rdserted TO attempted 70 ba superseded
The y hcif psu u.'uei.t irregular snd would
In ite ei have ben dangerous to lie public peace
and the pubic ntsrs~ts
THE ffst dsty oi srIny 60 execute The order
q March 10, iS4h . g. ~ y view 60 it
ttS'tfinH) perm Jution - aai tha second
in NJ opinion a. srpsat-. far Vrac ricable
The ctii2' from TIE c.r t't I msrtsllay The exc
cutve postrs eXtrc.ed By O. eisr iudDg onicers
IN California were rr',d only b. the esurrzrro.es a.
they CF- ~i'h b. b. thar esv-Tsl reports
on The Ciil aLhi an trFri.fY In thti- pe3tyt
adDrististiOns, each uh de.rorcd 20 AVOID ;hs sp
lheaion 81 The prLc'i us aud practices Ct niintsry
law Respectfully ssbuIitte9
O. " CRAWFORD