The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-18
MATTERS or INTEREST TO CALIFORNIA.
AR as FOR THE srAvK.
SENATOR OWN TO SECRETARY CONRAD.
SENATE CuAMpRR

To THR Hon. G. M CONRAD, Secretary of War:
-Sir-The people of California are constantly en-
gagged in ekirmishes with the Indian tribes in that
State, and the Governor is laboring under great
disadvantages for the want of arms, to equip the
volunteers ne 10 compelled 10 call out to suppress
these hostile movements of the Indians. From
causes we'll known to you, the State authorities
have not been able to make a return of the militia
force, which would entitle the State to her quota
OF arms from the government OF the United States.
The organization of the militia, and return of the
same TO your department, will be made with all
possible dispatch but, In the mean time, we are
suffering for the want of arms. j., therefore, re-
specially request that advance Of arms be made
to the State to meet the pressing necessities Of the
case to be charged in accordance with the pro-
visions of the law on The subject, when the organ
ization OF the militia is complete. | have no
correct data upon which TO found an estimate as to
the number OF persons subject to militia duty in
California, but am certain the plumber is net less
than one hundred and fifty thousand, and you may
safely assume this as the basis of the advance of
arms to the State
would re especially requestthat, in the advance
of arms TO the State should be included, at least,
three hundred of Colts pistols; and, if you could
consistently do 80, / should like to increase the
number TO five hundred. They are admirably
adapted TO do effective service in the Indian wars
in California. With great respect, your obedient
servant, WIN. M. GwIN.
col. TALcoTr TO SECRETARY CONRAD.
ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT.,
WASHINGTON, March IL, 1851.
Hon. C. M. CONRAD, Secretary of War: Sir-I
have considered the letter of the Hon. Senator
Gwn, (Which was referred TO this Office stating
the inability of the State authorities of California
to make the militia return required BY law. and
requesting an advance Of arms from the United
States; TO be charged to the States quota. when
that return shall have been made. In answer
thereto, i have to report, that a regulation was
made by the President Of the United States, dated
June y, 1895, prohibiting any issue of arms, in
advance, to States having none due thens under
the law for arming the militia. This being but
YpuulafiOu m Of hq euHDPndPd for
particular case, when the circumstances may, in
the judgment Of the Secretary of War. justify it.
AS general rule, it's effect is good, and. In my
opinion, il should be maintained; but in view Of the
facts stated by Senator Gwin. and of the known
condition of things in California, | think its sus-
pension in this care would be proper.
The law for arming the militia requires the
Issues to the State to be made in proportion to the
number of " effective militia " in each. In the
absence of regular return, that number cannot,
of course, be accurately ascertained; but l think
Senator OWNS estimate of $50 900 much too high;
there are but three States in the Union, New York,
Pennsylvania, and Ohio, whose returns come up
to that nunber, and but two others. Virginia and
Massachusetts,, which return over lOO,OOO This
latter number would, think, be very high esti-
mate, and computing the States quota thereby, it
would amount to 667 muskets, and 673 rifles, or
their equivalent in any other kind OF arms, and
Announcements; this equivalent in Colts pistols
would be 347 of those arms Senator Owns
letter is returned herewith. Respectfully, your
obedent servant, G. TALcoTr,
Bvt Brig Genl Col of Or dnance.
SENATOR GwIN TO SECRETARY CONRAD
WASHINGTON CITY, March II, 1851.
DEAR SIR-Having seen tue report Of General
Talcctt, of the 18th INST | respectfully request
that there be transmitted to the Governor OF Cali
fornia one hundred Colts pistols, two hundred
muskets, and the balance that may be advanced to
the State in rifles
If practice BILE, / should like for the pistols and
portion of the rifles to be sent across the Isthmus
Of Panama, TO meet the present pressing necessl-
ties Of the State, and the residue, by steamship,
around Cape Horn. With great respect; your ODE
dent servant, w. NJ. GwIS
Hon. G. M. CONRAD. Secretary Of War.
THE DECISION OF SECRETARY CONRAD.
In view OF the within report, and Of the letter OF
the Hon. Mr.. Gwin, herein enclosed, the Chief OF
the Ordnance Bureau, will, as soon as practicable,
take measures to send 10 California the quota OF
arms to which that State is entitled, estimating the
number OF her effective militia at 100000 men, to
wit;-cne hundred Colts pistols, two hundred mus
il practicable to be sent requested in Mr. OWNS
letter, and TO be delivered to the Governor OF Cali
for1ia on his receipt C. M. CONRAD,
Secretary OF War.
War Department, March IA, 1851.
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA.
Acknowledging the responsibility, in Its broadest
sense, of representative to his constituents, and
considering the magnitude OF the interests lnrusted
TO his charge, as Senator from California, the I'M
designed feels il due to you, and incumbent upon
him, to lay before you brief outline OF the measures
deeply affecting your welfare, which have been re-
Gently agitated and acted upon in the capitol of the
United States Soon after taking his seat in Con-
gress he introduced bill to pay over to the State
Of California, what is called our :" civil fund.-" aud
also all the moneys collected from customs within
her limits from the ratification OF the treaty with
Mexico until the admission OF the State into the
Union. That proposition was referred to the Com
mttee on Finance, and was not at first acted upon
AT The last session Of Congress, the committee re-
ported in favor striking out all Of the undersigneds
IA dnfn win liam IN he Sfafa
Of The moneys received from customs. The same
committee were in favor of paying into the national
treasury the whole " civil fund" OF California,
amounting to about twelve hundred thousand dol
lars after deductng sI75 coo for the support Of the
military government, aud 800 600 for the relief OF
emigran,s When this bill Of the committee was
under consideration, the underslgnt made another
effort to cause the paymen, Of the whole fund 10
the State, by offering for this purpose an additional
section 10 IT, which was rejected. Then, to secure,
for the present, at least, the payment of the
$500 600 TO the State he pressed that measure, and
the bill, with this provlso, passed the Senate, but
was lost for the want Of cooperation on the part
Of the House of Representatives.
He considers il fragrant outrage upon the PEG.
pie of California that this " civil fund.-, has not
long since been paid over 10 the State, and ne so
stated from his seat in the Senate and Ia endeavor-
ing to the $500, 900, he did so, with the ex
plicit understanding, publicly declarei, that he
6gr ed TO II only III part payment OF the Just dues
Of the State. and that he would hereafter contend
for the residue OF that fund.
With the legislation Of the fret session of the last
Congress you are familiar In relation to the pub
lie lsucs, various bills had been introduced by the
colleague Of the un designed and by himself They
were not then finally acted upon; but the state was
more fortunate in obtaining legislation tor light
houses, customs, Indian agencies, coast survey,
floating dry docks, and for the extension over her
Of the Judicial system Of the United States.
AT the fast session, Col. Fremont was unavoida-
by detained from his seat in the senate, and the
sole representation ia that body consequently de-
volyed upon the undersigned. On account OF the
prolonged discussion upon land cllims in Califor.
MIA, and the time which had thus been consumed,
u was with the greatest difficulty that other bust.
nees connected with the State could be effectively
reached. or, indeed, even taken up.
The Mint bill, which had passed the Senate the
fret session before the admission Of California, was
most Unexpectedly defeated in the House. There
upon, the under signed Immediately ye-introduced II
in the Senate, and obtained favorable report from
the Committee on Finance. He also re- introduced,
az hs opening Of the last session, his land bill which
had been passed at the rst session, for estab
- ADrk.f .Ax,