Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-07-08

morning of the 25th he arrived at that
place with 80 riflelnen from the Ameri-
tan settlers In that valley. The enemy
had not yet appeared. Scouts were sen.
out TO reconnoitre, and a party OF 20 fell
III with squadron of 20 dragons, Gail of
Castro's force had crossed the bay,) at
tackled and defeated them, killing and
wounding five, without harm done to them
selves; the Mexican commander, De la
Iorte, barely escaping with the loss Of the
transport boats aud nine pieces Of brass
artillery spiked.
The country north Of the bay Of San
Francisco being cleared of the enemy,
Col. Fremont returned to Sanoma on the
evening of the 4th Of July, and, on the
morning of 9th, called the people togeth-
er, explained to them the condition of
things IN the province. and recommended
an immediate declaration of independence.
The declaration was made, and he was
selected to take the chief direction OF af-
fairs.
The attack on Castro was the next ob-
ject. He was at Santa Clara, an entrench-
ed post on the upper or south side of the
Bay of San Francisco, with 400 men and
~ p--ltS VI l1Estl iilIlIEIF- y CltuIl o.
more than 100 miles must be traversed to
reach him. On the 9th OF July the pur-
suit was commenced by body of 100
mounted ritlemen, commanded by Col
Fremont IN person, who n three days ar
rived al the American settlements on the
Rio de los Americanoo. Here he learned
that Castro had abandoned Santa Clara
and was retre0ting soGth TO Ciudad De los
Angeles, (the city Of the Angels the
seat of the Governor General OF the Cal
Itornias, and distant 400 miles. II was
instantly resolved on TO pursue him to thai
place. At the moment OF departure the
gratifying intelligence was received that
war with Mexico had commenced that
Monterey had been taken by our naval
force, and the flag of the United States
there raised on the 9TH Of July and that
the feet would cooperate in the pursuit of
Castro and his forces. The flag of Inde-
pendence was hauled down, aud that OF
the United States hoisted, amidst hearty
greetings and to the great Joy Of the
American settlers and the forces under
the command of Col. Fremont.
The combined pursuit was rapidly con-
tinued and on the 18th of August, Com
modore Stockton and Co'olel Fremont,
with a detachment Of marines from the
squadron and some riaemen, entered the
city Of the Angels, without resistance OF
objection; the Governor-General, Pico,
the Communication g Castro, and all
the Mexican authorities, having fed and
dispersed. Commodore Stockton took pos
session Of the whole country as co !quest
Of the United States, and appointed Col
Fremont Governor, under the law of ma
tions to assume the functions of that Of
fee when he should return to the squad
ron.
Thus, IN the short space of sixty days
from the first decisive movement, this con
quest was achieved, by small to1y Of
men, to an extent beyond their own ex-
pectation; for the Mexican authorities
proclaimed it conquest. not merely Of the
northern part, but OF the whole province
Of the CALIFORNIA;.
The Commandant-G General, Castro, on
the 9Th of August, from his camp at the
Mesa, and next day & on the road to So
nora" announced this result to the peo-
pie, together with the actual flight and
dispersion of the former authorities and,
at the same time he officially communica-
ted the fact OF the conquest 10 the French,
English and Spanish Conauls in Califor-
MA and, to crown the whole, the official
paper OF the Mexican government on the
10th of October, In laying these official
communications before the public, intro
duced them with the emphatic declaration,
. The loss Of the CALIFORNIA; is consun- I
mated" The whole province was yield
ed up to the United States, and is now IN
our military occupancy. \ small part OF
the troops sent out to subject this province
will constitute. it is presumed, sufficient
force to retain our possession, and the re-
mainder will be disposable for Objects OF
the war.
w. l.. MARCY.
To the President Of the United States.