, 1864-07-15
NUMBER 81.
General wright's Farewell.

! OS-AC@Se~
The following communication has lately
been issued by Gen. Wright:
HEADQUARTERS Dep OF PAo1mo,
SAN Francisco, June 21st 1864.
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 proper occasion to take re-
Prospective view of the three years have
been in command. When | first assumed
command Of the Departmenty embracing all
the States and Territories west of the Rocky
Mountains, | was not unmindful of the high
trust reposed in me by the Government (;
and the following communication, which
addressed to the Adjutant General of the
Army, after the expiration of the first year
Of my command, will exhibit the course [
thought proper to pursue, and which has
been persistently followed during the whole
period of my administration of military af-
fl irs on this coast
HEADQUARTERS DEP. OF PACIFIC, !
SAN Francisco, Oct. 9th, 1862.
"Adjutant General United States Army,
Washington, D. C.-Sir I have served on
the Pacific Coast for ten years, the last year
in command of this Department.; my duties
have called me to nearly 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 opportu-
mites of judging of the character of the
people, and the value to the Union of these
remote possessions of the United States.
Previous to the war with Mexico, but lit
tie, comparatively, was known of this coun-
try; few Of our most adventurous people
had found their way across the continent
and taken up their abode either in Oregon
or California But when peace was re.
stored and VIC acquired California, and CO.
eval with that event, the discovery of gold
mines, extensive and almost fabulous in
| richness, it caused a large influx in popula-
ton. 1t was not alone from the States Of
our Union that they came-eyery quarter of
the globe, as we'll as the isles of the ocean,
contributed to swell the number 1t will
thus be seen that this country was overrun
and occupied by people bringing with them
and retaining all their home prejudices, and
i'll calculated to establish colony of loyal
the country. Time and contact have done
much to harmonic and smooth down the
discordant elements of this incongruous pop
ulation. Yet the outbreak Of a formidable
rebellion in our land had a tendency to re-
viye those sectional sympathies and attach
ments, which have prompted men to glory
in the fact, not that they are American cts
izens, but that they are from such or such
State, to which their paramount allegiance
is due. Happily the number of men who
thus ignore the authority of the Federal
Government, and declare their fealty to the
State from which theySame, is small COM
pared with that of the Americans, and who
love the Union, and are willing to risk their
all for its preservation.
"Such was the character, and such the
division of sentiment on this coast, when /
assumed command of the Department. l
saw at once, that to overcome these threat
ening difficulties, it was necessary to be
watchful vigiant and firm; not to create
unnecessary alarm in the public mind, by
hasty and ill-advised acts, but to pursue the
even tenor of my way, regardless of perso-
nal consequences; and feeling assured that
such a course could not fail to secure the
respect of political parties of every complex.
ion, and ultimately rebound to the honor of
our Government and country.
eff what little | have done has contribu-
ted in the smallest degree toward preserving.
intact our glorious Union, and maintaining
unsulled our flag, shall feel more than re-
paid.
at affords me high satisfaction to inform
the General-in- Chief that during all the pc
riod of my command in this Department, [
have received the most cordial approval and
assistance from the Governors and State Off
GERS, as well as from the most prominent
citizens.