The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-14

am very respectfully, your obedent servant
JOHN E. WOOL.
CORRESPONDENCE E BETWEEN GEN. WOOL AND THE
SECRETARY OF WAR.
HEApQu ARrKHs DEPARTMENT PACrFic
Benieia, October -, 1864.
Sin. have received your communication Of August ls,
1854 in answer TO mine OF May 80, 1854.
Excepting the 9Th and 9Th paragraphs, shall defer
ill some future period 10 this communication.
In the fourth paragraph you remark Ny letter OF the
4h April is explanatory OF the instructions Of january
relates to unlawful expeditions against the terrific
es of foreign powers 1t necessary argue whether
your construction Of them is sustained By the letter II
is sufficient for the department 70 presume that the inter-
probation you originally put them was sincere and that
YOU acted accordance with that Interpretation but when
you received nv letter of April a. stating yon the
ruction that the department designed YOU place
your instructions you should have been content TO Act in
conformity thereto
In reply is due 10 self 10 say that have been con-
tent to act since received strictly in dance with
your Interpretation Of your instructions of the 18th Janu
ary will be by examination Of correspondence
with Collector Hammond in August last forwarded you
through General Scott Dist August, and the correspond
ence with Mr Gadsden, our minister at Mexico 10 Septeu
Der iasa copy Of which transmitted 10 you through
the channel by the mail Of the LIST instant But while
was content with your erpretaton-whch however
think win be able 10 convince even yourself was an err
one and not the one intended by you when you
drew up Instructions not content TO be repre-
senied exceeding my Instructions and doing that which
neither expected desired of menamey the inter-
fering which did not do, but which you apprehended
with the duties of the civil officers Of the government
Hence my letter you of the 3oth May No officer Of the
government enterain higher respect for the civil de-
partment of the than myself and can be
ready and 20 further 10 sustain them in all their
rights and prerogatyes
To convince you however that was right and correct
in my construction of your instructions say potbng Of
the interviews and conversations had with you and the
President the subject which were emphatic and could
not he misunderstood would simply refer You
tract OF my communication YOU dated the l2h January
1854 which reads as follows:
aWAsmsGros, Jan. AZ, 1854.
SIN: Agreeably the conversation had yesterday,
and your expressed wishes have the honor present
views in regard to some of the duties which may deyove
commander of the Pacific department
If understand the object Of my assignment It is TO
preserve far may be practicable the peace and quiet
ness Of the inhabitants within and without and to restrain
those of our citizens from violating treaties the neutral
ty Of this country by fitting out expeditions against
tons with whom at peace If comprehend the law
upon the subject in order efficiently in all such
will be necessary for the President to delegate the
to me by special instructions"
In conformity to these suggestions, and affirming my
views you transmitted your instructions of the 2th
Of January, which, in conuexon with this subject
follows
WAR DEPARTMENT
Washington January IL, 1854.
SIR In addition TO the ordinary duties Of the military
command to which you have been assigned it is deemed
proper direct your attention certain special duties
which will devolye upon you.
Among these will be the duty of maintaining in
ternatona obligations, by preventing unlawful expedi-
tons against the srreTs s Ct Sses 81 Por o
proper detect the fitting Of armed expeditions
against countries with which the United States are at
peace and will zealously cooperate with the civil autho
ties in maintaining the neutrality laws
These instructions strictly accordance with the
conversation had with you and the President the 18th
December 1853 when according to the memoranda before
me, made the time you asserted that il u question
of peace war; referring the importance Of putting
down the Illegal expeditions forming against the territory
OF Mexico SO anxious the President on the subject
that he wished to reach California possible
and fixed early day the 9Th of January for the time
of my departure from New York this n order that these
expeditions might be prevented il possible important
negotiations being then pending with Mexico
sary that prompt and decided should be taken
the earliest moment, lest there might be produced rup
re in relations with that republic 1t also stated
in that conversation that you wanted officer OF dis
erection and Judgment whom to confer command of
such and delicate responsibility and necessary dis
creonary power il remote for exercise
immediate control
1t under these circumstances that said that what
might be the sacrifice, would GO and with pleasure
and that neither you the President should have
to regret that you had selected me for important
mand At the time remarked that officer should
be ntrused with mission Of such Importance and
sponsbiity without possessing the implicit conf
dence of the President well the Secretary Of War,
which both assured me possessed.
1t with my views of duty thus formed that en-
tered upon the command of the department in February
with determination to carry out faithfully and to the
fullest extent your views and those OF the President having
other object before but the good of the country and
with the express wishes of the President and your positive
and unequivoca instructions prevented expeditions be-
ing fitted against Mexico the Of the arrest
trial and conviction of Watkins of the arrest trial and
conviction of the Mexican consul the and trial Of
the French consul who ought have been convicted and
who would have been convicted had he been tried second
time; and compelled the surrender OF Walker and his party
Through the vigilance OF the officers stationed throughout
the department. have preserved peace and quiet in the In
dian country erected batteries at small expense for the
protection of the harbor of San Francisco and ordered
arsenal building 10 be erected Bencia for the protection
Of the ordnance stores and the establishment post
on the Indian reservation AT the TETON Pass
Being confident that promoting the interests of the
country and that in accordance with the wishes OF the Sec
rotary OF War, had anticipated his approval but far
from realizing my antcipations act of mine to
have met his appreciation His letter OF the l4th April
from beginning to end rebuke if not direct This
was followed ny order removing TO Bencia, and
dering the troops away from the Presido which, had ii
been carried out would have caused the loss Of million
OF dollars OF public property Censured because had not
fulfilled voluntary desire TO inspect my command which
unable 10 carry out owing to injuries received BY
fall OF horse upon me- and two attacks of sick
and If had been able would have been prevented BY
paramount duties conceived them, and BY being de-
tanned by civil process attend the trials Of Watkins Del
Vale, and the French consun the time Col Mans
field, inspector general arrived Who conceived had
been sent 10 relieve of arduous duty that Of
travelling the vast regions Of the department OF the Pa
cihc
In conclusion would remark that have thus honestly