'gov. ard, need not fear of being met now with "government orders, ernment papers," &c., signed by this, that, and the other individual, in the way of pay. Enclosed is also the form of a roll for the enrolment of the men before being mustered into service, copies of which it would be well to send, as also copies of the acts relating to pay, to such persons at different places as would likely be more successful in raising men, if they would not join the company themselves. When the proper number for a company is obtained, give notice for them to rendezvous on a named day at the Presidio barracks, San Francisco, where Captain Folsom, of the army, will muster and receive them into service, from which time their pay will commence. You will observe, by the act of Congress approved January 18, 1846, that each man is entitled to fifty cents for every twenty miles from his place of residence to the place of rendezvous, and the same from the place of discharge back to his place of residence. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, GRANVILLE P. SWIFT, HENRY L. FORD, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. Sacramento Valley. BLUEFORD K. THOMPSON, Pueblo de San José. P. S.-If you cannot engage in this business yourself, please turn these papers over to some one who can. The companies will be received from any one who will raise them. R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, SIR: By the enclosed copy of a circular to G. P. Swift, H. L. Ford, and B. K. Thompson, you will see the effort I am making to raise an infantry battalion in California for service in the south. The command I beg leave to offer to you, with the rank of major, and which I hope you may find it to your interest to accept; if so, you will be commissioned and mustered into service as soon as the third company is received. Upon your knowledge and extensive acquaintance with the immigrants in this country I rely greatly for aid and assistance in raising the corps, and assure you that it is all-important to use the utmost despatch, for when our flag has been once raised, it must never be struck. Should you not accept the command, still I hope you will give me the aid of your influence in raising the men. I shall be pleased to receive your reply at your earliest convenience. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. L. W. HASTINGS, Esq., San Francisco. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, January 28, 1848. SIR: From intelligence received here yesterday from Mazatlan, it becomes all-important to raise a strong force for service in that quarter with the greatest despatch. Commodore Shubrick has taken the place, but will not be able to hold it after the hurricane season in those seas sets in—say after May next. I am therefore setting to work to raise one thousand men in Oregon, California, and from the settlement on the Great Salt Lake. The object of this letter is to solicit the aid of your influence, in encouraging and sup porting the effort of raising a battalion in California. I am now much pressed for time, and cannot write more; but I have written fully on the subject to Mr. L. W. Hastings, to whom I refer you, and request that he will show you all that I have written. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. Mr. SAMUEL BRANNAN, San Francisco. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, February 1, 1848. SIR: I have the honor herewith to forward to you the accounts and vouchers of the military contribution collected from the customs in this port and Santa Barbara during the fourth quarter of the last year. The instructions for collecting and accounting for this fund were received here in October. Before that time the citizen collectors accounted to and settled their accounts with the assistant quartermasters, who kept the fund distinct from other public moneys, and appropriated it to such civil purposes as I directed. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. To the Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR, Washington. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, I send a military command, under Lieutenant Ord, of the army, for the purpose of arresting two horse thieves and recovering the horses that are reported to have been stolen from the neighborhood of Santa Cruz and San José, and hid way in the mountains. I desire that you will cause as many of the citizens as you can to turn out and go with Lieutenant Ord and assist in recovering the stolen horses and arresting the thieves. Some exertions must be made by the citizens themselves, as I send the military to aid the civil authorities in recovering their lost property and bring the rogues to condign punishment. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, To the ALCALDES R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. at Santa Cruz and Pueblo de San José. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITary Department, Monterey, California, February 5, 1848. SIR: I desire that you will confer with Padre José Prudencia Santillan, the minister of San Francisco and San Rafael, with the view of ascertaining if there be any lands appertaining to those missions which are not claimed by others, and which can be put in possession of Padre Santillan for the cultivation and use of the Indians of said mission. It would be well for you, in company with the padre, to visit those missions, and, from actual observation, to possess yourself of all the necessary information as to what lands can be appropriated for the use of the Indians, without conflicting with other claimants. Not that I think any of the claims to the mission lands purporting to have been derived from Pio Pico in the last days of his authority can ever hold good, but that the time to investigate them has not yet arrived. Learn, also, what movable property there is belonging to those missions, and in whose possession it is, that can be appropriated to the use of said Indians; and require them to give an inventory of the same, and hold it in readiness to be delivered up when I call for it. After obtaining all the information, make a report to me, touching the quantity of land property, &c., that can be made available for the Indians. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Col. 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. To the COMMANDING OFFICER, San Francisco. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, February 7, 1848. SIR: The long time that has elapsed since your return to California, and your non-arrival in Monterey, has given rise to rumors which create an excitement in the public mind, and has a tendency to disturb the tranquillity that happily has prevailed so long in California. Your presence in Monterey will quiet these rumors, so far as your name is connected with them, for I will frankly tell you, that I am informed there is a revolution in contemplation, with which it is said you are connected. I will not believe that in returning to California, as you do, under a passport from myself, promising you the friendly reception of the United States authorities here, you would in any way violate your honor, which the acceptance of that passport has pledged; therefore I hope to see you in Monterey at your earliest convenience. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. Colonel JOSE CASTRO. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, February 7, 1848. GENTLEMEN: I have received your communication of the 29th Jan uary and its enclosures. Herewith are returned the four receipts of Friar José 1. Ximeno for the rent of Santa Ynez for the year 1846. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. Messrs. COBAMBIA & CORILLA, Santa Ynez. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, February 8, 1848. SIR: Your letter of the 28th January is before me. I cannot find on the files of this office either your letter or that of the late collector at Santa Barbara, enclosing instructions from Commodore Biddle, touching the five dollars expended for blank clearances, to which you refer. Lieutenant Halleck's letter to you of the 26th of August directed the facts to be reported respecting said sum; but, at the same time, “definitively directed" that "this item be regarded as part payment of his salary for the last quarter." The amount of customs in your hands, (on the 3d quarter's return of 1847 you report $303 36,) turn over to Lieutenant Carnes. I enclose you the appointment for Don Pedro C. Carrillo and Don Estavan Ardisson. The alcaldes throughout all California are appointed by myself, and it must be the same at Santa Barbara. The interest of the public service imperatively demands this course during the continuance of the war; and besides which, the late election at Santa Barbara is not deemed to have been in accordance with the law, or the customs heretofore established. The alcaldes thus appointed must be sustained in the proper execution of the duties of their office. I should have been glad to have sent the appointment to Don Pedro, but you tell me he positively declines acting under an appointment from myself, &c. R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. Captain F. J. LIPPETT, Know all men by these presents, that I, Richard B. Mason, colonel 1st regiment of dragoons United States army, and governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby appoint Pedro C. Carrillo first alcalde for and in the town and jurisdiction of Santa Barbara, Upper California. Given at Monterey, the capital of California, this 8th day of February, A. D. 1848, and seventy-second year of the independence of the United States. R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. * If Don Pedro has such instructions touching the printing of blanks, send me a copy. Know all men by these presents, that I, Richard B. Mason, colonel 1st regiment of dragoons United States army, and governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby appoint Estavan Ardisson second alcalde for the town and jurisdiction of Santa Barbara, Upper California. Given at Monterey, the capital of California, this 8th day of February, A. D. 1848, and the seventy-second year of the independence of the United States. R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, February 9, 1848. SIR: The messenger you sent to me has just informed me of your near approach to this place, where you will probably arrive to-morrow morning. Your communication of the 2d instant from San Luis Obispo did not reach me until yesterday at half-past one o'clock. On the 7th instant, I had the honor to address you a note, apprizing you of the many rumors that were in circulation here with which your name was connected, but I learn from your messenger that the bearer of that note took the Ojibos road, and thus failed to meet you. I congratulate you upon your return to California, and hope you may long live to enjoy the society of your family and friends, and beg leave to assure you of the kind feelings with which the United States authorities will receive you in Monterey. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, Colonel JOSE CASTRO. R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, February 9, 1848. SIR: Not desiring to impose the duties of alcalde upon you contrary to your wishes, I have appointed Mr. Charles White in your place, that you might retire from the office in accordance with the wishes you expressed in your letter of the 28th December. I thank you for continuing in the discharge of the duties until I could make another appointment. Be pleased to turn over to Mr. White all the funds, records, books, papers, &c., appertaining to the office. Enclosed herewith is the appointment of 1st alcalde for Mr. White, and the appointment of 2d alcalde for Mr. Dolores Pacheco, which be pleased to hand to them. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. JAMES W. WEEKS, Pueblo de San José. |