By the many complaints that I have received respecting the alcaldes of the country, I was induced to create a juez de romera justancia, to act as a check upon them. Surgeon Perry has been directed to perform the duty; and the effect, thus far, has been beneficial. Of course, he receives no salary from the civil government. There is a large amount of tobacco and Mexican sealed paper in the custom-house at this place. Some time since, I directed the collector to sell the tobacco, and account for the sale in his account for the current quarter. By the politeness of Fraz. Ramirez y Arollono, padre presidente in this peninsula, I have been able to form a tolerably accurate estimate of the amount of population in Lower California. I give it in the different jurisdictions: Of these, 200 are Indians, very much scattered, in the portion of the country between an east and west line passing through San Ignacio and the frontier of Alta California. The amount of population is 2,000 Californians and 1,000 Indians. The distance from La Paz to San Antonio to La Salvada... La Salvada is situated near the bay of Magdalena. 18 leagues. This bay is de scribed as being very beautiful, containing plenty of water for all kinds of vessels, and secure in all weather. During the months of October, November, and December, it is much resorted to by whaling vessels for the purpose of taking whales. The distance from La Pas to Loretto. 80 leagues. 120 The distances have been given to me by Don Francisco Palaous Neir, and a late governor of this country. The proceeds of the pearl fishery are small at present, on account of the state of our relations with Mexico. This year they amount to about $4,000. In former years they were much greater, frequently $30,000 or $40,000 per year. The divers are Indians from the Zopex tribe, in Sonora. The months for diving are June, July, August, and September. In my next report I will endeavor to give you some information respecting the interior of this country and its resources. At present, I have none that is accurate. The amount of exports from this country, in time of peace, is about $125,000 per year; this includes gold, silver, pearls, cheese, panocha, hides, and wine; and the amount of imports per year is nearly the same. This year the imports and exports will fall far short of this, as the Mexican ports are closed. The country is very healthy; subject to none of the diseases of a tropical climate. I am, sir, with much respect, your obedient servant, H. S. BURTON, Lieutenant Colonel New York Volunteers. H. W. HALLECK, Esq., Monterey, Alta California. A true copy: W. T. SHERMAN, First Lieutenant 3d Artillery, A. A. A. G. Correspondence of Colonel Mason-California. Colonel Mason to General Jones, with correspondence, June 18, 1847. Same to same, with correspondence, June 21, 1847. July 21, 1847. September 18, 1847. Same to same, do October 7, 1847. Same to same, Same to same, Same to same, Same to same, Correspondence of Colonel Mason from November 11, 1847, to January 27, 1848. Colonel Mason to General Jones, with correspondence, April, 1848. Colonel Mason to Secretary of War, with correspondence, April 15, 1848. Colonel Mason to General Jones, with correspondence, April 18, 1848. Same to same, with correspondence, August 16, 1848, Same to same, August 17, 1848. Same to same, with correspondence, August 18, 1848. Correspondence of Colonel Mason from May 22 to August 29, 1848. Correspondence of Colonel Mason from April 18 to August 18, 1848. Same to same, do Same to same, September 12, 1848. Same to same, November 24, 1848. Same to same, November 24, 1848. Same to same, December 27, 1848. August 28, 1848. Same to same, with correspondence, December 28, 1848. Correspondence of Colonel Mason from August 7 to April 9, 1849. [No. 14.]. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, June 18, 1847. SIR: I enclose herewith copies of department orders, including No. 26, and copies of correspondence, (such as are of any consequence,) to include the 16th instant, the proceedings of a general court-martial convened by virtue of department order No. 21, a department return for the month of March, and post returns of Monterey up to including May. I am not sure that the department return and post returns are critically correct. I have been obliged to make some guess-work in them, owing to the faulty returns of the volunteers; but they cannot vary more than some two or three men, if indeed they vary at all. The term of service of the Mormon battalion will expire about the middle of July. I do not think they will re-enter the service. The country still continues to be quiet, and I think will remain so, though the people dislike the change of flags, whatever may be said or written to the contrary, and in the southern part of Upper California would rise immediately if it were possible for Mexico to send even a small force into the country; nothing keeps them quiet but the want of a proper leader and a rallying point. I send you a map showing the positions occupied by the troops, the number at each station, and the estimated distance between the posts. You will perceive they are pretty well stretched out; but, under existing circumstances, it cannot well be avoided. We must keep up a show of troops, however small in numbers, at the different points occupied. The United States ship Lexington will sail in a few days for Santa Barbara, to take Lieutenant Colonel Burton and two companies of the New York volunteers from that post to La Paz, the capital of Lower California, in obedience to instructions from the War Department. The very large amount of ordnance and ordnance stores brought out by the Lexington and Colonel Stevenson's three ships are landed at San Francisco and Monterey. They greatly embarrass me and cause me some uneasiness, being from necessity stored in different insecure buildings until places of greater security can be constructed. I cannot too strongly impress upon the department the absolute necessity of sending an ordnance officer to report to me, as also an officer of the Adjutant General's department. Mounted troops are greatly wanted in California, both to hold the country, preserve order, sustain the laws, and to keep in check the Indians, who are committing extensive depredations upon persons and property of both foreigners and natives-burning, killing, &c. Mounted troops can alone operate to advantage in this country. A part of Captain Nagle's company New York volunteers have been mounted and sent out, but it is badly equipped. The proper equipage is not to be had in the country. I would respectfully ask that a full and complete set of cavalry equipage, including spurs and valises, to mount 150 men, may be sent to me as early as possible. The saddles, if not on hand, should be made by Grimsby, in St. Louis. The Indians from the different missions have mostly fled to the mountains and joined the wild tribes, and from their knowledge of the country are enabled to do great mischief. They might be reclaimed and placed between the settlements (which are very sparse) and the wild Indians, and thus be used as a barrier, by entering into some treaty stipulations with them, and placing among them some discreet sub-agents; but without a supply of Indian presents it is useless at this time to attempt anything of the kind. The Indians are very numerous. It would be good policy to send to this place a large supply of Indian presents, such as will be really useful-not trinkets and baubles-and enter into a treaty with them. There is one subject that I desire to bring to the serious consideration of the department and the Executive; and that is, the speedy payment of the various claims in California against the United States created since the hoisting of our flag in this country. These claims are for horses and other property taken, and supplies furnished, for the use of the troops that were at the time hastily collected, as well as for the payment now due to the men themselves, and the various other debts that were necessarily contracted in carrying on operations. The troops thus hastily got together were discharged in April last; but, from bad counsel or from some other cause, they refused to be mustered . into service under the volunteer acts of May and June, 1846, and therefore could not be paid by the army paymasters at all. The claimants, natives and foreigners, are loud and clamorous, and excite a great deal of dissatisfaction and bad feeling in the country towards our government; they charge it with a want of good faith, violation of promises, &c., &c. A speedy payment of these claims will do more towards reconciling the Californians to the change of flags, and be worth more to the United States, than ten times the money it will take to pay the debt. I would most earnestly recommend that some discreet citizen, who is in no way interested in those claims, be appointed, with a secretary, to investigate and adjudicate upon all claims presented against the United States. Those upon which he puts a favorable endorsement, authorize the disbursing officers, who should be supplied with ample funds, to pay at once. Many of these claims, perhaps a great majority of them, are only evidenced by the receipt or certificate given for the property taken or amount claimed by persons not in the service of the United States, but who were sent out, by the authority of the land or naval commander at the time, to collect horses, saddles, &c., &c.; and I believe all the claims of the officers and men of the late California battalion of volunteers are evidenced by the due bills given and signed by the pay and quartermaster of that corps; and a very great many claimants assert, and I believe truly, that their property was taken and no receipt or certificate given. Treasury drafts, or the drafts of disbursing officers, are here twenty per cent. below par. Remove these claims-pay them off-and the disbursing officers can obtain money here for their drafts at par, and the people will become reconciled and satisfied. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. R. JONES, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, commanding. Adjutant General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, June 1, 1847. SIR: Your two communications of the 15th and 19th ultimo, addressed to Brigadier General Kearny, have been turned over to me for official action by that officer, who left here yesterday on his return to the United States. Enclosed is an appointment of alcalde for Louis Robideau, of the district of San Bernadeno, which be pleased to forward to him. Notify the alcaldes at Los Angeles that the appointment has been officially made, so that the jurisdiction of the two districts may not clash. I enclose a blank appointment for a collector of customs and harbormaster at San Diego. I wish the blank filled with the name of Don Juan Baudini, if he will accept the appointment. If he declines it, then fill the blank with the name of any one whom you think the most proper person. The present collector must settle all his accounts, and turn over to the quartermaster at Los Angeles all custom-house funds, and to his suc cessor all the property and records of his office, together with all orders and instructions that he has received. When that is done, his resignation will be considered as having taken effect. The new collector should be required to give security for the faithful performance of his duties. I transmit herewith for Don Santiago Arguillo, the custom-house officer at San Diego, a copy of General Kearny's letter to him of the 21st April, which it appears he has never received. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, and Governor of California. Colonel J. D. STEVENSON, Seventh Regiment New York Volunteers, commanding at Los Angeles, California. Know all men by these presents, that I, Richard B. Mason, colonel 1st regiment dragoons, United States army, and governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby appoint Louis Robideau alcalde for and in the district of San Bernadeno, Upper California. Given at Monterey, the capital of California, this first day of June, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty-seven, and the 71st of the independence of the United States. R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. CIRCULAR. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, The military officers in Upper California who have been directed to settle the accounts of the custom-house officers, and to receive from them the funds arising from the customs, will keep an account to these headquarters for those funds at the end of each regular quarter of the year, |