Please to forward them by the very first opportunity, so that they may go to Washington by the next express. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. W. ALEXANDER, H. W. HALLECK, Lieut. of Engineers, and Secretary of State. Collector, &c., San Pedro, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, August 4, 1848. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of July 22d, and the enclosed papers, relating to the mission of San Buenaventura. The governor approves of the renting of this mission and mission property in accordance with the conditions specified in the enclosed draught of a lease. He authorizes you to direct the acting assistant quartermaster to purchase of the mission a number of horses and mules, or such other property as may be required for government use, sufficient to cover the expenses of collecting this property. This should be done before the contract is entered into. The receipts for these purchases, as also an account of all the expenditures of the money, should be sent to this office. In inventory marked 3, it is stated that a number of sheep, cattle, &c., have been delivered to V. Noniago and others. If these have been sold, the receipts should be forwarded, and also an account of the expenditures. If not sold, why were they so delivered? The governor refers you to the letter of July 25th from this office, and wishes you to be cautious, in proceeding with the missions, not to go counter to the territorial laws; and also to see that these laws and regulations are complied with by the renters. So long as they observe these conditions they should not be molested; but when they are found injuring or destroying mission property, they must be regularly removed from the possession. The papers enclosed in your letter are returned herewith. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State. Colonel J. D. STEVENSON, Commanding, &c., Los Angeles, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, August 4, 1848. SIR: The governor directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of July 19, and to inform you that he accepts your resignation as alcalde of San Luis Rey. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieut. of Engineers, and Secretary of State. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, SIR: The governor has received your letter of July 28th, and directs me to refer you to my letter of July 21st to Colonel Stevenson, (a copy of which will be shown you by Captain Lippett,) for an explanation of the grounds upon which the contribution was levied on the town of Santa Barbara. As that explanation cannot fail to satisfy you that the measure was fully authorized by the customs of war in such cases, and that no imputation was cast, or intended to be cast, upon any individual, the governor declines accepting your resignation of the office of second alcalde of the jurisdiction of Santa Barbara. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. ARDISSON, H. W. HALLECK, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State. Second Alcalde, Santa Barbara, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, August 4, 1848. SIR: You will please hand the enclosed letter to Mr. Ardisson and to show him my letter to Colonel Stevenson of July 21, respecting the con tribution imposed on Santa Barbara. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State. Captain F. J. LIPPETT, Commanding, &c., Santa Barbara, California. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, August 8, 1848. GENTLEMEN: In my letter of the 28th of July, replying to yours of the day previous, you were informed that "if the California grain gold could be brought into convenient shapes, so as to answer as a substitute for gold and silver coin, I would order it to be received at the custom-house in payment of duties, at its intrinsic value." By a reference to the act of Congress, approved August 6, 1846, you will see that it would be manifestly illegal in me to do so. I was not aware of all the requirements and prohibitions of that act, at the date of my letter above mentioned. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. Messrs. WALTER COLTON, T. H. GREEN, J. S. RUCKLE, T. O. LARKIN, C. WOOSTER, MILTON LITTLE, J. SPENCE, and J. ABRIGO. PROCLAMATION. To the people of California. The undersigned has the pleasure to announce the ratification of a treaty of prace and friendship between the United States of America and the Mexican republic, by which Upper California is ceded to the United States. The boundary separating this country from Lower California "consists of a straight line drawn from the middle of the Rio Gila, where it unites with the Colorado, to a point on the coast of the Pacific ocean distant one marine league due south of the southernmost point of the port of San Diego." By the conditions of this treaty, those residing within the limits of this territory thus ceded, who may wish to become citizens of the United States, are absolved from all further allegiance to the Mexican republic, and will at the proper time (to be judged of by the Congress of the United States) be incorporated into the Union, and admitted to the enjoyment of all rights and privileges granted by the constitution to American citizens. Those who wish to retain the character of Mexicans will be at liberty to do so, and also to retain their property in this territory, or to dispose of it and remove the proceeds thereof wherever they please; but they must make their election within one year from the 30th day of May last, and those who remain after the expiration of that year without declaring their intentions to retain such character will be considered to have elected to become citizens of the United States. In the mean time they will be protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty and property, and secured in the free exercise of their religion. They, however, are reminded that, as war no longer exists, and as Upper California now belongs to the United States, they owe a strict obedience to the American authorities, and any attempt on their part to disturb the peace and tranquillity of the country will subject them to the severest penalties. The undersigned has received instructions from Washington to take proper measures for the permanent occupation of the newly acquired territory. The Congress of the United States (to whom alone this power belongs) will soon confer upon the people of this country the constitutional rights of citizens of the United States; and, no doubt, in a few short months we shall have a regularly organized territorial government: indeed, there is every reason to believe that Congress has already passed the act, and that a civil government is now on its way to this country, to replace that which has been organized under the rights of conquest. Such territorial government will establish all local claims and regulations which, within the scope of its legitimate powers, it may deem necessary for the public welfare. In the mean time the present civil officers of the country will continue in the exercise of their functions as heretofore, and when vacancies exist or may occur, they will be filled by regular elections held by the people of the several towns and districts, due notice of such elections being previously given. The existing laws of the country will necessarily continue in force till others are made to supply their place. From this new order of things there will result to California a new destiny. Instead of revolutions and insurrections, there will be internal tranquillity; instead of a fickle and vacillating policy, there will be a firm and stable government, administering justice with impartiality, and punishing crime with the strong arm of power. The arts and sciences will flourish, and the labor of the agriculturist, guided by the lamp of learning, will stimulate the earth to the most bountiful production. Commerce, freed from the absurd restrictions formerly imposed, will be greatly extended; the choked up channels of trade will be opened, and the poisoned fountains of domestic faction forever dried up. Americans and Californians will now be one and the same people, subject to the same laws, and enjoying the same rights and privileges; they should therefore become a band of brothers, emulating each other in their exertions to develop the wealth and resources, and to secure the peace, happiness, and permanent prosperity of their common country. Done at Monterey, California, this seventh day of August. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, SIR: In reply to your letter of July 30, I am directed to inform you that no authority has been granted to exempt vessels "landing lumber" from the regular tonnage duty. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State. Colonel J. D. STEVENSON, Commanding, &c., Los Angeles, California. STATE DEPARTMEnt of the TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, August 7, 1848. SIR: Colonel Mason directs that the moneys collected from the citizens of Santa Barbara as a military contribution, imposed for the disappearance and concealment at that place of a gun belonging to the brig Elizabeth, will be turned over to the first alcalde of Santa Barbara, to be held by him as a municipal fund, and used for the purchase or erection of a prison, &c., as was suggested to the alcalde in a former communication from this office. The alcalde will receipt to you for this money, and be held accountable that it is properly expended for the purpose designated. You will show him this letter. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State. Captain F. J. LIPPETT, Commanding, &c., Santa Barbara, California. State DepartmENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, August 9, 1848. SIR: You will receive by the same express which brings you this, a notification of the ratification of a treaty of peace, by which Upper California is ceded to the United States. Colonel Mason directs that you will continue to perform the duties of collector of the port of San Francisco until further orders. You will hire such assistance as may be required for the performance of these duties, and pay for it out of the proceeds of the customs. The tariff of duties for the collection of military contributions will immediately cease, and the revenue laws and tariff of the United States will be substituted in its place. You will also, in making out your accounts, observe, as far as you may be able, the forms used in the custom-house and Treasury Department of the United States. No more gold dust will be received in payment or in pledge of payment of duties; the revenue must be collected in the same currency as in any other port of the United States. You will be relieved from these duties as soon as a successor can be appointed. Will you recommend some suitable citizen who will accept the office? As the duties of collector will be far less arduous than formerly, it is thought that a salary of about dollars will be sufficient. Bonds must be given by the collector for the sum of ten or fifteen thousand dollars. It is supposed that you will be able to procure a copy of the present tariff of the United States from some of the merchants of San Francisco. If not, one will be sent you from this - place. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Captain J. L. FOLSOM, STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, July 26, 1848. SR: Your letter of the 16th instant is received, and the governor has accepted your resignation of the office of 1st alcalde of the jurisdiction of San José. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, CHARLES WHITE, Know all men by these presents, that I, Richard B. Mason, colonel first regiment dragoons United States army, and governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby appoint William Byrne first alcalde for and in the jurisdiction of the Pueblo de San José, Upper California. Given at Monterey, the capital of California, this 26th day of July, A. D. 1848, and the 73d year of the independence of the United States. R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. |