, 1864-07-11
cFE. wnIoHT,s RAREWELU.


meht. In his SaledistOfy, which We pub
lish below, it will b seen that while he
takes to himself the credit of wisely admin
isteriIg the affairs Of his Department, and
preserving is from civil war on this coast,
he bestOws parting remembrance upon the
California pres, whith has been rather SC.
we're upod him at tlEcs. In Oregon and
this Territory he has always stood high in
the estimation Of the people.
HEADQUARTERS DEPT. PACIFIC,
San Francisco, Cal, June 2lst, 1854.
To the loyal citizens Of the Pacific coast /:
On the eve Of my being relieved from the
command Of the Department of the Pacific,
it is deemed q proper occasion to take re-
Irrespective Wow Of The three years have
been in command. When l first assumed
command of the Npettmeut, embracing
all the States and Territories west Of the
Rocky Mountains, was not unmihdful Of
the high trust rePoted In me by the Gov
erHment; and the following communication,
which l addressed TO the Adjutant General
Of the Army, after the expiration of the
first year Of my command, will exhibit
the course l thought proper to pursue, and
which has been persistently followed during
the whole period Of my administration Of
military affairs on this coast:
HEADoUARTERs DEPT. PACIFIC,
San Francisco, Cal, Oct. 9th, 1862.
"Adjutant General United States Army,
Washington, D. C.-Sir: / have served on
the Pacific Coast for ten years, the last
year in command Of this Department; my
duties have called me tonearly every section
Of this great country-from the sunny
plains Of the South, to the farthest bounds
Of our possessions in the North, have
been called, either to battle with our savage
foes, or to aid IN the preservation Of this
beautiful land from the horrors Of civil war.
During this long period / have had ample
opportunities Of judging Of the character
Of tho people, and the value to the Union
Of these remote possessions Of the United
States.
Previous to the war with MEXICO, but
little, comparatively, was known Of this
country; a few Of our most adventurous
people had found their way across the con-
tinent, and taken up thoir abode either in
Oregon or California. But when peace
was restored, and wc acquired California,
and, cocval with that event, the discovery
Of gold mines, extensive, and almost fabl-
lous in richness, Il caused large influx in
population. 1t vas not alone from the
States Of our Union that they came-every
quarter Of the globe, rs we'll as the isles Of
the ocean, contributed 10 swell the number.
It will thus be seen that this country was
overrun and occupied by people bringing
with them and retaining all their home pre-
judices, and in calculated to establish 4
colony Of loyal citizens, eager to promote
the prosperity Of the country. Time and
contact have dOile lnuch TO harmonic and
smooth down the discordant elements Of
this ineongruo,is population. Yet the out
break Of q Formidable rebellion in our land
had q tendency ID, revive those sectional
sympathies and aiiechments, which have
prompted hen 70 gIpry in the fact, not that
they are American citizens. but that they
are from such or such State, to which
their paramount allegiance Is due. Hap
PLY the number Of men who thus ignore
the authority Of the Federal Government,
and declare their fehlty to the State from
which they came, is small compared with
that Of tho Americans who love the Union,
and are willing to risk their all for its pre-
servation.
q S,,.h 80. Al. .h....t.. - .,..h IL.
division Of sentiment on this coast, when l
assumed command Of che Department. I
saw at once, that 10 overcome these threat
ening difficulties, Il was necessary to be
watchfdL yigilant and firm; not 70 create
unnecessary alarm IN the public mind, by
hasty and illadyised acts, but 10 pursue the
even tenor Of my way, regardless Of per-
sonal Consequences; and feeling assured
that such q course could not fail TO secure
the respect Of political parties Of every
eomplexiop, and ultimately rebound 10 the
honor Of our Government and country.
a If what little / have done has contrib
uted in the smallest degree toward preserv-
ing intact oiir glorious Union, and main
tanning unsullied our aag, / shall feel more
than repaid.
at affords me high satisfaction to inform
the Generalin-C Chief that during all the
period Of my command in this Department,
/ have received tho most cordial approval
and assistance from tho Governors and State
officers, Is well as from the most promi-
mont citizens.
svery respectfully,
Your most obit snv't,
G.. WRIGHT,
/" Brigsdier-G General U. s. Army,
Commanding"
Acting npon the principles contained in
my letter shove roeited, I'-now point with
pride to tho happy and peaceful condition
Of this country Inirusted, as / have been,
with high and responsible command, far
removed IRON the seat Of the General Gov
ernment, ! have, during the whole period,
hold in my hands the power Of peace or
war. Had for moment yielded 10 the
insane demands Of . radical press and its
cO-laborers, / should have filed my forts
with political prisoners, to crafty personal
hatred -causing such an outburst Of indig-
nation ct such course as to render it al
most certain that civil war and bloodshed
would have followed.
mnlm