cient person to watch over these interests, and to assist in preserving the quiet and tranquillity of the country, will be a sufficient inducement for you to accept this office. You have been highly recommended to the governor as the most suitable person in your district for the office of magistrate, as he has every reason to believe that his confidence in you. will not be misplaced. In the administration of your office, you will be governed by the laws and the usages of the country as they have heretofore existed, until other laws can be established. You will please to exhibit to Mr. Burton your appointment, and give him the enclosed order to turn over to you all public papers and funds belonging to his office. If, however, you should deem it proper to decline this appointment, you will immediately return the enclosed papers. without presenting them, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State for the Territory of California. WM. FISHER, Esq., Pueblo of San José, California. [Appointment declined by Mr. Fisher, and therefore cancelled.] STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, SIR: In order to enable him to act understandingly upon matters connected with the mission of Santa Inez, the governor directs that the renters of that mission immediately furnish him with copies of the contract, or agreement, by which they occupy said mission, and also a full amount of all rents paid, with the proper receipts for the same. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State for the Territory of California. Messrs. JOSE MARIA COBANBRIAS, JOAQUIN, and CARRILLO. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, September 6, 1847. SIR: The governor directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th August, and to say to you, that you shall receive a moredefinitive answer to your petition as soon as the contracts of the renters of the mission of Santa Inez can be examined. These renters have been ordered to furnish to the governor a copy of each contract, for his instruc-tion. * Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State ANGEL, JUAN BAUTISTA, and ANDRES, Alcaldes of Santa Inez. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, SIR: The governor directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th August, enclosing certain papers purporting to be a title to a piece of land in or near the mission of Santa Inez. The title to which you refer is of no value, Captain, José Maria Flores having had no proper authority to make such grant; but as you are in possession of said land, you may continue to hold it (provided no other prerson presents a ⚫ better claim) until the proper tribunals are organized for the investigation of questions of that character. Your papers are enclosed herewith. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State for the Territory of California. JOAQUIN AQUILA, Santa Inez. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, September 7, 1847. SIR: In reply to your letter of the 18th ultimo, respecting instructions given by you to the collector at San Pedro, the governor directs me to say, that as soon as he can have a consultation with Commodore Shubrick, some general regulations on the subject will be made, which shall be uniform throughout the Territory. In the mean time the regulations made by you for San Pedro are approved. It having been reported that the occupants of the mission of San Buenaventura have sold, without proper authority, cattle, horses, and other property belonging to that mission, the governor directs that you procure a copy of the contract, or agreement, by which these occupants hold possession of the mission, and also a full account of all rents paid by them, with the proper receipts for the same; you will also examine into the present state of this mission and of the mission property, as compared with the inventories given by the occupants at the time of making the contract, and report what measures you may deem best calculated to secure the just rights of all concerned. The same course will be pursued with respect to the missions of San Fernando, San Juan Capistrano, and (if rented) the missions of San Gabriel and San Diego. It is reported that certain archives belonging to the mission of San Luis Rey were taken in January last from that mission to San Juan Capistrano. As it is desirable to collect in this office all the archives belonging to the missions of California, you are requested to use your best endeavors to procure all papers which may be likely to give information respecting their present or former condition. Enclosed herewith is an order to the occupants of the missions above mentioned to furnish you with copies of their contracts, and such other information as may be required. Copies of instructions for the sub-Indian agents, and of regulations for the government of the Indians, will be forwarded at the earliest opportunity. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State for the Territory of California. Col. J. D. STEVENSON, Commanding, Los Angeles, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, September 6, 1847. To the occupants of the missions of San Buenaventura, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Juan Capistrana, and San Diego: The governor directs you, and each of you, to furnish Colonel J. D. Stevenson, commanding the southern district of California, or such person as he may designate for that purpose, copies of all contracts, or agreements, by which you hold possession of any mission or mission property, and any other information that may be required for fully understanding the conditions of such tenure, and the present state of the missions. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State for the Territory of California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, September 10, 1847. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 5th instant, enclosing a communication of Captain Brackett, respecting the case of Sr. Armijo. You will please to inform Captain Brackett that the governor approves the course pursued by him, under the circumstances, in admitting Sr. Armijo to bail. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State for the Territory of California. Major J. A. HARDIE, Commanding Northern Military District, San Francisco, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, September 14, 1847. SIR: Mr. J. W. Weeks having been appointed alcalde of the pueblo of San José, your term of office will consequently cease on the receipt of this letter, and the governor directs that you then turn over to Mr. Weeks all public papers and funds belonging to your office. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieut. of Engineers, and Secretary of State JOHN BURTON, Esq., Alcalde of San José, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, SIR: I am directed by the governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, respecting the trial of Armijo and others. You will see from the enclosed order that the venue is changed to Sonoma, and that L. W. Boggs, esq., has been appointed, with yourself and Captain Sutter, as an additional commissioner or judge. This has been deemed necessary, in order to provide for cases that might otherwise arise of difference of opinion between the other two. Captain B. will be directed to conduct the trial on the part of the government. You will please give requisite notice to all persons concerned of the time and place of trial, as directed in the enclosed order. The governor is desirous that the matter may be definitely settled without any unnecessary delay. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieut. of Engineers, and Secretary of State Don M. G. VALLEJO. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, September 15, 1847. SIR: I am directed by the governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, and also that of the 3d instant, through Major Hardie. Your course in admitting Armijo to bail is, under the circumstances, approved. You will perceive, from papers this day sent to General Vallejo and Governor Boggs, that the trial of the prisoners charged with Indian murders, &c., will take place at Sonoma, on the 25th of October next. The governor directs that in these trials you act as prosecutor on the part of the government and people, and see that justice is done to all the parties concerned. It is desirable that the court should not go into unnecessary formalities, but seek to bring the whole matter to as early a termination as may be compatible with a just and fair trial. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. of Engineers, and Secretary of State Capt. J. E. BRACKETT, Commanding, Sonoma, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, September 18, 1847. SIR Enclosed herewith are copies of custom-house and harbor regulations, which, of course, supersede the temporary arrangements communicated in your letter of the 18th of August. The Colonel consents to the commutation of the rations of the men employed as guards at San Pedro, on account of the distance of the port from the military post; but no commutation will be allowed for any other post in your district. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieut. of Engineers, and Secretary of State Capt. J. D. STEVENSON, Commanding, &c., Los Angeles, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, September 18, 1847. SIR: I am directed by the governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of blank date, and say to you that the existing government has no intention of interfering with your title to the mission of San Miguel; but as the title seems incomplete, and as there are other claimants to the property, it has been deemed best to make a temporary arrangement between yourself and the priest, until the subject could be satisfactorily ex-amined by the proper authorities.. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieut. of Engineers, and Secretary of State WILLIAM REED, San Miguel, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, September 18, 1847. SIR: You are requested to procure, if possible, the records and papers of the mission of San Francisco Solano (Sonoma) and forward them to this office. It is possible that General Vallejo may have old records and papers con-taining statistical information respecting the other missions, which he would be willing to deposite in this office for safe-keeping; if so, please. forward them by the earliest opportunity. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. BRACKETT, H. W. HALLECK, Lieut. of Engineers, and Secretary of State for the Territory of California. Commanding, &c.; Sonoma, California. |