Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-01-18
A LETTER FROM GENERAL RILEY.


| To the Editors of the Washington Republic.
GEsTLEMEH My attention has been directed to an edo-
rial in paper Of the Goth uimo headed The Caor-
MIA Constitution and Mr. King" in which is quoted an article
from the New Orleans Della the subject of Executive in
reference IN the formation Of the State of Cali
foma This matter supposed had been put to rest long
ago. by the publication of the California correspondence
would now notice II, do any thing which may have the
appearance or be considered attempt to revive con-
overy upon question which has already been settled in
the minds of the intelligent and unprudced portion of ali
parties, were not 70, the grave and positive assertions made
in this article conflicting with my previous statements
and published, they have been, the authority Of per-
son who alleges that 9 he acted my legal adviser and
therefore, would seeo must speak knowingly and by
the book" The Delta, in commenting the statement Of
Commodore JosEs, in relation to the time my proclamation
was issued calling the Convention, says
ct is true that Genera Rley's proclamation issued
before the steamer which Mr. IT, Butler King arrived
at San Francisco. But previously thsseamer the Panama.
had touched at San Diego, from which place letters and
structions dispatched General Riley, Monterey,
which WERE RECEIVED to the issuing
OF General Riley proclamation recommending the formstion
OF State government This fact communicated to US
BY Mr. Patrick Barry, member Of the bar of California,
formerly OF this Stae, and tcho acted General Rilys
legal adriser IN the matter. He the communications Of
the President in the hands Of General Riley before the latter
Es
King, and marvel much that he did not state il in his
publication, in which he denies that he exercised any nu-
ence in the formation Of the State governments Of California
The whole of this statement which saw in your paper
for the first time few days since, ue from beginning
to end, and so pronounce u. How Mr.. PArnIeK
BAnsr can reconcile the information furnished by him the
Delta with proper regard for the truth Of the case is
matter which shall leave hinbo determine Thsparsgaph
quoted bears evidence within itself of its ay and how so
keen nd rm Mr r. M ho
and well acquanted be should be with CALIFORNIA; could
get up his story cumsy is to matter Of great
prise To prove that did receive instructions from the late
Administration, and got hem too, before Mr. KIsG (who
bore the of Gen. TArLoRs nauguraon) arrived
San Francisco Mr. BARRH tells the editors Of the Delta that
these instructions landed San Diego and
at Monterey. Now, to show bow perfectly absurd such
statemen: is will merely say, that if there had been such
instructions for me, and such had been pursued in
sending them ne would have required from eght ten
days for have received thera Monterey and they
could not possibly have reached until fonr or sic
days after Mr. KING arrived San Francisco. This would
have been the for the simple that by the steamer
the trip from San Diego San Francisco usually four
most but FIVE days. while BY land it requires ouney Of
eight ten days to reach Monterey from San Diego.
As to Mr.. BARRrs having any instructions to
from the late Administration, in regard the
proclamation and his acting my legal adviser in the NATTER
think it scarcely worth while say any thing those with
whom am acquainted but to ohes who may be deceived
by the positive in which these assertions made,
would remark that here again Nh. BARRr has been extreme
unfortunate The experience Of thirty eight years service
devoted my country would have been than useless
had after having received instructions fror, my Govern
ment asked taken advice, he intimaes did, to
whether should follow them am too old soldier
ask legal advice (by this a,cyers advice)
whether should obey the instructions receive from
those who, by the laws Of my country, placed
knew my duty well and, after having received nstruc
ions advice needed They my guide, unless mani
fesy against law and reason, and of this do not think am
arogang much fop myself when say that believe my
self capable Of judging as Mr. PArRIcK BARRI, with all
his and legal ability The truth is, this gentleman
consulted BY did ask his advice, either
in regard the to pursue, to the proprey
Of issuing the proclamation calling the convention did
he instructions from the late Administration in my
possrs.ion, b.f Issuing my proclamation, advising
nsrucng me to adopt such consulted in
regard to the course pursued ha. the miy and naval
commanders the Pacific coast and those whom heaw al
lowed have aid in the discharge of my duties
acted from Of duty, my responsibility, and
for what honestly and truly believed be the best interests
Of California and my country.
Very respectfully, your obedisnt servant,
'-@ B. RILEY.
BIT. Brig. Gen. United States Army,
Late Governor Of California.
UNITED STATES HoTsL,
Pr hpr