the direction of Santa Fé, to be under your orders, or the officer you may leave in command at Santa Fé. It cannot be determined how far this additional force will be behind that designed for the Santa Fé expedition, but it will not probably be more than a few weeks. When you arrive at Santa Fé with the force already called, and shall have taken possession of it, you may find yourself 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 Fé, (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 Suter'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 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 sea coast, 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-houses 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 upon 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 lauguage, to be issued by you, and circu lated 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 ut most 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 commandment of our squadron in the Pacific. In that way cannon, arms, ammunition, and supplies for the land forces, will be sent to you. &c., &c., Col. S. W. KEARNY, &c., Fort Leavenworth, Missouri. WM. L. MARCY, Secretary of War. [CONFIDENTIAL.] HEAD-QUARTERS OF THE ARMY, SIR: As the commander of a company of the 3d artillery, you have been ordered to embark with the same on board of the United States ship the Lexington, now lying in the harbor of New York, and bound to the northwest coast of America. I am now to inform you that, with your company, you are destined to act in conjunction with the United States naval forces in the Pacific against the republic of Mexico, with which we are at war. The commander of that squadron may desire to capture and to hold certain important points, as Monterey, and towns or posts in San Francisco bay. The company under your command may be needed for both purposes, and you will, on consultation, give your co-operation. It is not intended to place you under the orders, strictly speaking, of any naval officer, no matter how high in rank. That would be illegal, or, at least, without the authority of any law; but you will be held responsible, when associated in service, whether on land or water, with any naval officer, without regard to relative rank, to co-operate in perfect harmony, and with zeal and efficiency. Great confidence is reposed in you, in those respects, as also in your intelligence, judgment, temper, and prowess. See in this connexion paragraphs 24, 25, and 26, in the old General Regulations for the Army, (edition of 1825,) a copy of which book I handed to you in my office. Your condition, and that of your company, on board the Lexington, commanded by Lieutenant of the navy, or other United States vessel to which you may be transferred, will be that of passengers, not marines; but in the event of the ship finding herself in action, you, and the company under your command, will not fail to show yourselves at least as efficient as any equal number of marines whatsoever. In such case, again, the utmost harmony, upon consultation, would be indispensable; and in no case will you fail, so far as it may depend upon your best exertions, to conciliate such harmony On the ding of the ordnance and ordnance stores belonging to the army, placed on board of the Lexington, you will take charge of the same, unless you should be joined for that purpose by an ordnance officer, in which case you will give him aid and assistance in that duty. On effecting a succcessful landing in the enemy's country, it may be necessary, after consultation with the naval commander, as above, and with his assistance, to erect and defend one or more forts, in order to hold the conquered place or places. In such service you will be on your proper element. It is proper that I should add, you may find on the northwest coast an army officer, with higher rank than your own, when, of course, you will report to him by letter, and if ashore, come under his command. It is known that you have made requisitions for all the proper supplies which may be needed by your company, for a considerable time after landing. Further supplies, which may not be sent after you from this side of the continent, you will, when ashore, in the absence of a naval force, and in the absence of a higher officer of the army, have to purchase on the other side; but always in strict conformity with regulations. On board, it is understood that your company will be subsisted from the stores of the ship or navy. Should you not come under the orders of an army officer, or should you not be landed by the naval commander, as above, you will remain on board of the squadron, and be sent home on some ship of the same. I need scarcely add that, afloat or ashore, you will always maintain the most exact discipline in your company, for the honor of the army and country, and never neglect to make, in the absence of an army superior, to the Adjutant General, the stated reports required by regulations, besides special reports on all snbjects of in terest. To 1st Lieutenant C. Q. TOMPKINS, WINFIELD SCOTT. (now Captain) 3d Artillery. HEAD-QUARTERS OF THE ARMY, July 9, 1846. The foregoing is a true copy. H. L. SCOTT, Aid-de-camp, &c. [Extract from the General Regulations of the Army-edition of 1825.] "ARTICLE 6. "Relative rank and precedence of land and sea officers. "24. The military officers of the land and sea services of the United States shall rank together as follows: 1st. A lieutenant of the navy with captains of the army. 2d. A master commandant with majors. 3d. A captain of the navy, from the date of his commission, with lieutenant colonels. 4th. Five years thereafter, with colonels. 5th. Ten years thereafter, with brigadier generals; and, 6th. Fifteen years after the date of his commission, with major generals. But, should there be created in the navy the rank of rear admiral, then such rank only shall be considered equal to that of major general. 25. Nothing in the preceding paragraph shall authorize a land officer to command any United States vessel or navy yard; nor any sea officer to command any part of the army on land; neither shall an officer of the one service have a right to demand any compliment, on the score of rank, from an officer of the other service. "26. Land troops, serving on board a United States vessel as marines, shall be subject to the orders of the sea officer in command thereof. Other land troops embarked on board such vessels for transportation merely will be considered, in respect to the naval commanders, as passengers; subject, nevertheless, to the internal regulations of the vessels." [CONFIDENTIAL.] No. 9. UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, November 5, 1846. COMMODORE: Commodore Sloat has arrived in this city, and delivered your letter of the 28th July ultimo, with the copy of your address to the people of California, which accompanied it. The department is gratified that you joined the squadron before the state of the commodore's health rendered it necessary for him to relinquish his important command. The difficulties and embarrassments of the command, without a knowledge of the proceedings of Congress on the subject of the war with Mexico, and in the absence of the instructions of the department which followed those proceedings, are justly appreciated; and it is highly gratifying that so much has been done in anticipation of the orders which have been transmitted. You will, without doubt, have received the despatches of the 15th of May last, addressed to Commodore Sloat, and I now send you, for your guidance, a copy of instructions to Commodore Shubrick, of the 17th of August. He sailed early in September, in the razee Independence, with orders to join the squadron with the least possible delay. On his assuming the command, you may hoist a red pendant. If you prefer, you may hoist your pendant on the Savannah, and return home with her and the Warren. The existing war with Mexico has been commenced by her. Every disposition was felt and manifested by the United States government to procure redress for the injuries of which we com |