E
The following official despatch of General Persifor F. Smith, contains an opinion of the position of San Francisco totally different from that of the numerous California tourists. It is a valuable opinion, nevertheless, and led to the selection of the town of Benicia, on the Straits of Karquinez, as a military and naval station.
Headquarters Third Division,San Francisco, April 5, 1849.
General: – Since my last communication no troops have arrived to change the strength of the force here; but the steam transport Edith arrived on the 21st of March, and reports that the transports Iowa and Massachusetts, the former having General Riley with a part of the 2d infantry, and the latter having the command of artillery for Oregon on board, left Valparaiso about the 8th of February. The former is expected here every day, and the Edith is held in readiness to convey the troops south to the position they are to occupy.
There will be great difficulty in establishing and maintaining a post at the mouth of the Gila, until more knowledge is acquired of the navigation of the head of the gulf of California and the lower part of the Colorado. Transportation by land from San Diego is impossible for large quantities of stores.
In the gulf, the winds blow in the winter almost invariably from the northward; and in the summer, when they come occasionally from southward, it is in violent gales, with severe squalls and thunder, rendering it very dangerous to be in the gulf then. In other words, it is always difficult to run up the gulf, but almost always easy to run south. These circumstances render the employment of steam vessels very advantageous. If the navigation of the gulf permits the Edith to be used she will answer, having both sails and steam. If she draws too much water, others of lighter draught could be procured. I mention this now, as the boundary commission will commence their labors on this end of the line, and will be on the Gila next season. I should have observed that the Colorado is supposed to be navigable only for boats drawing three or four feet.
I see no reason for posting troops on any other point out of reach of the ports on the Pacific. The Indians in the interior do not make it necessary, and it would be useless to place them near the mines to maintain order there. Nothing but the establishment of a regular civil government, to be carried on by those most interested in the existence of good order, will answer that end.
Such detachments as go to the southern part of the Territory will accordingly be placed, as heretofore mentioned, in healthy and convenient positions, and those on this bay at such points as will combine good climate, convenience of supply, and facility of movement. I propose, when such a point is found, to have removed all the public stores there, both from this place and Monterey, leaving the heavy ordnance and stores.
The town of San Francisco is no way fitted for military or commercial purposes; there is no harbor, a bad landing-place, bad water, no supplies of provisions, an inclement climate, and it is cut off from the rest of the country, except by a long circuit around the southern extremity of the bay. In time of war, enemies' troops could be landed for many miles south of the entrance of the bay on the sea beach, and thus cut it off by a short line across the peninsula on which it stands. There are points on the bay, more inland, having good harbors and landings, good water, and open to the whole country in rear, and accessible without difficulty to ships of the largest class. One of these should be the point at which the future depots should be established; and I propose to go to-morrow in the Edith, in company with Commodore Jones and other officers of the army and navy, to examine the straits of Karquinez, said to combine most advantages. I hope to return and report the result of our examination before the next mail boat leaves, (on Monday, 9th,) but at any rate by the succeeding boat, a few days afterwards.
I hope that in fixing the port of entry, capital, or other public places, the law will leave to the President the selection; otherwise, private interests already involved in speculation here, will, by misrepresentation, lead to a very bad choice.
If Congress has not provided by law for the government of this Territory, or its admission as a State, I would be very glad that the government would officially promulgate its views as to the civil authority now exercised here. Some important questions of law, involving both life and property, are now depending; and judges and jurors, without experience in these difficult questions, are called upon to act under great responsibility.
It appears to be the opinion of merchants in many of the ports of the Pacific – and they allege in support of it the advice of some of our consuls – that in virtue of the circular of the Secretary of the Treasury of October 30, as the Treasury Department could not collect duties on imports in California, their goods, though dutiable, could be imported without paying duty. I have held that this was not the construction proper to be given to the circular, but only that the law had not provided the means of collecting duties here, that law being still in force which prohibits certain goods being introduced into the United States, unless they pay duties as prescribed; that consequently no dutiable goods can be landed in California unless they shall have paid their duties elsewhere – the effect of which would be, that they could not be admitted at all from foreign ports.
Under the circumstances, which showed a very hard case, I thought it proper that the parties should be allowed to deposit the amount of duties and land the goods; but, lest this should be construed as giving them a right for the future, and as the president may think proper to put an end to this indulgence, I have addressed a circular to all our consuls on these seas, warning them of this possibility – a copy of which is inclosed.
I was directed, when coming here, by the Secretary of War, to do all I could to facilitate the arrival of the civil officers of government in Oregon, as the public service required their presence there. The steamer in which we came here could go no farther north, and there was no possible way of those gentlemen getting there, except on a small vessel about sailing, on which there were no accommodations.
Commodore Jones kindly sent carpenters from the fleet to put up some berths, and on General Adair's (the collector's) representation, that no bedding could be procured, I directed the quartermaster to issue him the necessary number of blankets for the voyage, and take his receipt for them. I respectfully ask that this may be approved, and the amount charged to General Adair. The quartermaster could not tell him the price of the blankets when he took them.
As the rainy season has ended, people are again repairing to the mines. New discoveries farther south are said to have been made; and it is now pretty certain that the whole slope of the Sierra Nevada, comprised within the head waters of the San Joaquin to the south and those of the Sacramento to the north, contains gold. These two rivers, forming, as it were, a bracket, join to enter the bay of San Francisco; and their tributaries from the east, in their beds, expose the deposits of gold as they descend from the mountains. It is on the banks and branches of these streams that adventurers are now at work; but some excavations elsewhere, to a depth equal to that worn by the creeks, have disclosed quantities similar to those most generally found. There appears to be a line parallel to the summit of the main ridge, and some distance down the slope, at which the product of gold is at its maximum; but whether this be from the quantity deposited, or from the different position as relates to the surface, or from the difficulty of working it, I have not the means of knowing.
The gold is found in small particles: the largest I have seen, but such are rare, weighs seventy-one ounces troy. The appearance invariably is as though it had been spurted up when melted through crevices and fissures in drops, which have often the form of the leaves and gravel on which they have fallen. I speak of this as an appearance, not as a theory or hypothesis. The extent ascertained within which gold is thus found is at least four hundred miles long by forty wide; in almost every part of which, where the surface is depressed by the beds of rivers, gold has been obtained without digging more than ten feet below the surface, and very seldom that much.
It is impossible to furnish any grounds for estimating the number of people engaged in mining, or the amount they have produced. Persons engaged in trading with the miners say they amount to about ten thousand, but I cannot say with what reason. They can better judge of the amount produced, which the lowest estimate places at $4,000,000. More than three thousand persons have been added to the miners up to this time, – chiefly from Mexico and South America.
When the mines were first discovered, all the ports of South America on the Pacific, and of the Sandwich islands, sent the merchandise collected and stored there to be sold here. They realized enormous profits, before any competition from our eastern States could meet them; and these goods were generally owned by European houses, who thus became possessed of the first fruits of the mines, which were shipped to Europe on their account; and it is thus that so little gold has reached the United States.
When the merchandise now on its way from our Atlantic States arrives, and is sold, the current will set that way; but the profits will be much diminished by competition, and still more by the enormous expenses here for labor, storage, &c. These are almost incredible; the ordinary wages for the poorest laborer is $6 per day; many receive $10.
The extent and richness of the gold region have not been exaggerated; and the exorbitant prices paid for labor, rent, and subsistence, have hardly been fully set forth. But all the estimates of the amount actually produced are but mere suppositions, which may surpass or may fall short of the truth.
I have already directed that the men to whom their commanding officers may give short leaves of absence may be employed by the quartermasters at the usual rates here. This will be an encouragement to the men and an advantage to the public service, as labor is hard to get. But I doubt the propriety of yielding to the current of gold-seeking, and allowing large bodies of the men to go to the mines. It may be permitted to reward good conduct, as any other indulgence is; but to make it general, would be either to acknowledge the right of the men to modify their obligations as they please, or to confess our inability to enforce their fulfilment. For the sake of principle and preciseness, it would be better to adhere to what is right now, though the effect here in this particular instance would be the desertion of the men.
I am, with respect, your obedient servant,
PERSIFOR F. SMITH,Brevet Major-General, commanding 3d Division.
Brigadier-General R. Jones,
Adjutant-General.
Appendix F
The following despatch contains instructions to General Kearny concerning the conquest of California, contained in a despatch from the Secretary of War, marked confidential. But a portion of these instructions were carried out, in consequence of the anticipation of the conquest by Commodore Stockton and Colonel Fremont.
[Confidential.]
War Department,
Washington, June 3, 1846.
Sir: I herewith send you a copy of my letter to the governor of Missouri for an additional force of one thousand mounted men.
The object of thus adding to the force under your command is not, as you will perceive, fully set forth in that letter, for the reason that it is deemed prudent that it should not, at this time, become a matter of public notoriety; but to you it is proper and necessary that it should be stated.
It has been decided by the President to be of the greatest importance in the pending war with Mexico to take the earliest possession of Upper California. An expedition with that view is hereby ordered, and you are designated to command it. To enable you to be in sufficient force to conduct it successfully, this additional force of a thousand mounted men has been provided, to follow you in the direction of Santa Fe, to be under your orders or the officer you may leave in command at Santa Fe.
It cannot be determined how far this additional force will be behind that designed for the Santa Fe expedition, but it will not probably be more than a few weeks. When you arrive at Santa Fe with the force already called, and shall have taken possession of it, you may find yourselves in a condition to garrison it with a small part of your command (as the additional force will soon be at that place), and with the remainder press forward to California. In that case you will make such arrangements as to being followed by the reinforcement before mentioned, as in your judgment may be deemed safe and prudent. I need not say to you that in case you conquer Santa Fe, (and with it will be included the department or state of New Mexico), it will be important to provide for retaining safe possession of it. Should you deem it prudent to have still more troops for the accomplishment of the objects herein designated, you will lose no time in communicating your opinion on that point, and all others connected with the enterprise, to this department. Indeed, you are hereby authorized to make a direct requisition for it upon the governor of Missouri.
It is known that a large body of Mormon emigrants are en route to California for the purpose of settling in that country. You are desired to use all proper means to have a good understanding with them, to the end that the United States may have their co-operation in taking possession of and holding that country. It has been suggested here that many of these Mormons would willingly enter into the service of the United States, and aid us in our expedition against California. You are hereby authorized to muster into service such as can be induced to volunteer; not, however, to a number exceeding one-third of your entire force. Should they enter the service they will be paid as other volunteers, and you can allow them to designate, so far as it can be properly done, the persons to act as officers thereof. It is understood that a considerable number of American citizens are now settled on the Sacramento River, near Sutter's establishment, called "Nueva Helvetia," who are well disposed towards the United States. Should you, on your arrival in the country, find this to be the true state of things there, you are authorized to organize and receive into the service of the United States such portion of these citizens as you may think useful to aid you to hold the possession of the country. You will in that case allow them, so far as you shall judge proper, to select their own officers. A large discretionary power is invested in you in regard to these matters, as well as to all others, in relation to the expeditions confided to your command.
The choice of routes by which you will enter California will be left to your better knowledge and ampler means of getting accurate information. We are assured that a southern route (called the caravan route, by which the wild horses are brought from that country into New Mexico) is practicable, and it is suggested as not improbable that it can be passed over in the winter months, or at least late in autumn. It is hoped that this information may prove to be correct.
In regard to the routes, the practicability of procuring needful supplies for men and animals, and transporting baggage, is a point to be well considered. Should the President be disappointed in his cherished hope that you will be able to reach the interior of Upper California before winter, you are then desired to make the best arrangement you can for sustaining your forces during the winter, and for an early movement in the spring. Though it is very desirable that the expedition should reach California this season, (and the President does not doubt you will make every possible effort to accomplish this object), yet if, in your judgment, it cannot be undertaken with a reasonable prospect of success, you will defer it, as above suggested, until spring. You are left unembarrassed by any specific directions in this matter.
It is expected that the naval forces of the United States which are now, or will soon be in the Pacific, will be in possession of all the towns on the seacoast, and will co-operate with you in the conquest of California. Arms, ordnance, munitions of war, and provisions to be used in that country, will be sent by sea to our squadron in the Pacific for the use of the land forces.
Should you conquer and take possession of New Mexico and Upper California, or considerable places in either, you will establish temporary civil governments therein – abolishing all arbitrary restrictions that may exist, so far as it may be done with safety. In performing this duty, it would be wise and prudent to continue in their employment all such of the existing officers as are known to be friendly to the United States, and will take the oath of allegiance to them. The duties at the custom-house ought at once to be reduced to such a rate as may be barely sufficient to maintain the necessary officers, without yielding any revenue to the government. You may assure the people of those provinces, that it is the wish and design of the United States to provide for them a free government with the least possible delay, similar to that which exists in our territories. They will then be called on to exercise the rights of freemen in electing their own representatives to the territorial legislature. It is foreseen that what relates to the civil government will be a difficult and unpleasant part of your duty, and much must necessarily be left to your own discretion. In your whole conduct you will act in such a manner as best to conciliate the inhabitants and render them friendly to the United States.
It is desirable that the usual trade between the citizens of the United States and the Mexican provinces should be continued, as far as practicable, under the changed condition of things between the two countries. In consequence of extending your expedition into California, it may be proper that you should increase your supply for goods to be distributed as presents to the Indians. The United States superintendent of Indian affairs at St. Louis will aid you in procuring these goods. You will be furnished with a proclamation in the Spanish language, to be issued by you and circulated among the Mexican people on your entering into or approaching their country. You will use your utmost endeavors to have the pledges and promises therein contained carried out to the utmost extent.
I am directed by the President to say that the rank of brevet brigadier-general will be conferred on you as soon as you commence your movement towards California, and sent round to you by sea or over the country, or to the care of the commandant of our squadron in the Pacific. In that way cannon, arms, ammunition, and supplies for the land forces will be sent to you.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,W. L. MARCY,Secretary of War.
Colonel S. W. Kearny.
Fort Leavenworth, Missouri.
Appendix G
The particulars of the conquest of Upper California, as well as the suppression of the insurrections, we have already given in substance as they are in the despatches of General Kearny and Commodore Stockton. But we have said nothing of the transactions in the Peninsula, as that afterwards was surrendered to Mexico. All that is interesting in the conquest of Lower California, will be found in the following despatches from the commander of the New York regiment of volunteers, which with a number of marines were the only troops employed in that quarter. We premise, that, after the United States marines had taken San José, the natives rose, and they were reduced to the necessity of taking refuge in an old fort, or cuartel, in the town.
Barracks, Lower California,
San Jose, February 20, 1848.
Sir: I continue my report from the 22d ultimo, from which time my force consisted of twenty-seven marines and fifteen seamen, of whom five were on the sick report, besides some twenty volunteers, Californians, who at least served to swell the numbers. From that date the enemy were continually in sight of us, intercepting all communication with the interior, and driving off all the cattle from the neighborhood. A party of our men who went out to endeavor to obtain cattle, were driven in and narrowly escaped being cut off. We succeeded in obtaining a few cows, however, which were very necessary to us in the reduced state of our provisions, as, in addition to our garrison, we were obliged, in humanity, to sustain some fifty women and children of the poor, who sought our protection in the greatest distress. I found it necessary, as soon as our fresh beef was consumed, to put all hands on half allowance of salt provisions. We had no bread. On the 4th of February, the enemy closed around us more, and commenced firing upon all who showed themselves at our port-holes, or above the parapets. On the morning of the 6th the enemy appeared to be a little scattered, a considerable force being seen riding about some distance from the town, and at the same time a strong party of them posted at the lower end of the street were keeping up an annoying fire upon us. I judged this a favorable opportunity to make a sortie upon them, and taking twenty-five men with me, closed with them and dislodged them, driving them into the hills without the loss of a man on our part, and returned to the cuartel. On the morning of the 7th it was reported to me that the enemy had broken into the houses on the main street, and there was some property exposed which might be secured. I took a party of men and went down and brought up a number of articles belonging to the Californians, who were in the cuartel; some distant firing took place, but no injury was sustained. On the same day, hearing there were some stores of rice and tobacco in a house some three hundred yards down the main street, I determined upon an effort to obtain them, and sallied out with thirty men: these were immediately fired upon from several different quarters, and some fighting ensued, resulting in the death of one of my volunteers – shot through the heart. We charged down the end of the street, and drove the enemy to the cover of a cornfield at the outside of the town, where they were considerably reinforced, and recommenced a hot fire; but we were enabled to save a part of the articles which we were in search of, though we found that the enemy had anticipated us in this object, having forced the building from the rear. On the afternoon of the following day, Ritchie's schooner, having provisions for us from La Paz, came in sight and anchored, but a canoe which was enticed toward the shore by a white flag displayed by the enemy, was fired upon, and the schooner immediately got under way.
On the 10th the enemy had entire possession of the town: they had perforated with port-holes all the adjacent houses and walls, occupying the church, and, hoisting their flag on Galindo's house, ninety yards distant, held a high and commanding position, which exposed our back yard and the kitchen to a raking fire, which from this time forth was almost incessant from all quarters upon us, the least exposure of person creating a target for fifty simultaneous shots. The enemy appeared to have some excellent rifles, among other arms; and some of them proved themselves tolerably sharp shooters, sending their balls continually through our port-holes. On the 11th the fire was warm, but on our part it was rarely that we could get a sight of them. In the afternoon of this day we had to lament the death of Passed Midshipman McLanahan, attached to the United States ship Cyane; a ball striking him in the right side of the neck, a little below the thyroid cartilage, lodged in the left shoulder. He died in about two hours. He was a young officer of great promise, energetic, of much forethought for his age, and brave to temerity. All lamented his untimely fate, and all bear willing testimony to his worth.
On the morning of the 12th, at daylight, we discovered that the enemy had thrown up a breastwork upon the sand, about one hundred and fifty yards to the north-east of the cuartel, and entirely commanding our watering place. We fired several round shot at it, with little effect. We succeeded in getting in being in strong force, and kept a close watch upon us. Their force was over three hundred, speaking within bounds. I immediately commenced digging a well in the rear of Mott's house, which is the lowest ground. I found that we had to go through rock, and judged we should have to dig about twenty feet. I thought it imprudent to blast, as the enemy, suspecting our intention, would throw every obstacle in our way. The men worked cheerfully on this and the succeeding day against all difficulties. Our situation was becoming now an imminently critical one, having with the greatest economy but four days' water. On the 14th we continued digging for water. We found that the enemy had thrown up a second breastwork more to the westward, giving them a cross-fire upon our watering place: there was a continual fire kept up upon the cuartel during the day. At three o'clock, 30 minutes P.M., a sail was reported in sight, which proved to be the United Ship Cyane. She anchored after sundown. It was of course a joyful sight to us to see friends so near; but I was apprehensive that they could render us but little assistance, the enemy being so vastly superior in numbers. The enemy continued their firing upon us during the night. On the 15th at day-light, we became aware that the Cyane was landing men. They soon commenced their advance, which for a few moments was opposed only by a scattering fire; then the enemy opened upon them in earnest. They had concentrated nearly their entire force near San Vincente. We saw the flash of musketry through all the hills above the village. There was the odds of three to one against our friends. Steadily they came on, giving back the enemy's fire as they advanced. There was still a party of the enemy occupying the town, firing upon us. I took thirty men, and sallied out upon them, drove them from cover, killed one and wounded several of them, and marched out to join the Cyane's men, who, with Captain Dupont at their head, had now drawn quite near to us. There were small detached parties of the enemy still hovering about them, and firing at them, but the main body of the enemy had been broken, and retired to "Las Animas," distant two miles. The march of the Cyane's men to our relief, through an enemy so vastly their superior in numbers, well mounted and possessing every advantage in knowledge of the ground, was certainly an intrepid exploit, as creditably performed as it was skilfully and boldly planned, and reflects the greatest honor on all concerned. It resulted most fortunately for us in our harassed situation. They had but four wounded; this cannot be termed any thing but the most remarkably good luck, considering the severe fire that this heroic little band were exposed to. The loss of the enemy we have not positively ascertained: we hear of thirteen killed, with certainty, and general report says thirty-five; wounded not known. Of the total loss of the enemy in their attack upon the cuartel, I cannot speak with certainty; we have found several graves, and know of a number wounded, one of whom we have in the cuartel a prisoner. I suppose their total loss to be not far from fifteen killed, and many wounded; I am sure it could not be less than this. Our own total loss was three killed and four slightly wounded. After the death of Passed Midshipman McLanahan, there remained but one officer to my assistance, Passed Midshipman George A. Stevens, to whom, for his coolness and indefatigable zeal at a time when so much devolved upon him, I am most happy to accord the highest credit; and at the same time I must honorably mention the conduct of a volunteer, Eugene Gillespie, Esq., who, although suffering from illness, never deserted his post, and was with me in the sortie of the 7th. The non-commissioned officers and men went through privation, unceasing watchfulness, and danger, without a murmur. I cannot express too highly my satisfaction in their conduct. Captain Dupont immediately upon his arrival here, becoming aware of our situation as regards provisions, took measures for our supply. The day after the battle of San Vincente he despatched a train, which brought us by hand (the enemy having driven off all the mules and horses) a quantity of stores and articles of which we stood most in need, among the rest, bread, and has since been unceasing in his exertions for our relief. I cannot too earnestly express the obligations which we are under for the prompt and efficient assistance which Captain Dupont, his officers, and crew have rendered us.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHAS. HEYWOOD,Lieutenant U.S. Navy, com'g., San Jose.
Lieut. Col. Henry S. Burton,
U.S. Army, com'g. troops in Lower California.
W. T. SHERMAN,First Lieutenant 3d Artillery, A.A.A. General.
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