plained of by Clement Panand. It is not within the province of my power to afford relief in the way of an amount for damages, &c. Enclosed is a paper from Mr. Colton, the alcalde, touching the case of the flour, mentioned by Panand. I have the honor to be, sir, with high respect and esteem, your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. Mr. J. S. MOERENHOUT, Know all men by these presents, that I, Richard B. Mason, colonel 1st regiment dragoons United States army, and governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby appoint Don Pedro C. Carrillo collector of the customs and harbor-master at the port of Santa Barbara, in Upper California. Given at Santa Barbara, this 1st day of August, 1847, and the 72d year of the independence of the United States. R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, August 13, 1847. SIR: On my return from the south, I received your letter of the 24th July, in which you informed me that you had been appointed by Captain Montgomery, when he commanded in the northern district, an inspector of hides and tallow in that district, &c., and that you still hold this ap pointment. The appointment never having been revoked, you are still recognised as the inspector of hides and tallow, according to the tenor of the appointment you received, a copy of which be pleased to forward to me. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. E. WARD PELL, San Francisco, California. Know all men by these presents, that I, Richard B. Mason, colonel 1st regiment United States dragoons, and governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby appoint Lieutenant Henry W. Halleck, United States army, secretary of the Territory of California. Done at Monterey, the capital of California, this 13th day of August, 1847, and the 72d of the independence of the United States. R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, August 16, 1847. SIR: I am directed by the governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3d of June, calling his attention to certain land claims. It is not the intention of the existing government to interfere in any respect with the land titles established by the government of Mexico, or the former legal authorities of this Territory. It is suggested, however, that it may be well for yourself and Mr. Black to employ some regularly-appointed surveyor to lay off your lands, in accordance with your title deeds, and to deposite certified copies of said surveys and papers in some office of record, in order that all questions of title may be examined and definitively settled whenever the proper tribunals shall be established for that purpose. With respect to your claims to lands in Monterey and Yerba Buena, you may rest assured that the existing government will take no measures which shall prejudice in any way your titles to said lands. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State for the Territory of Culifo nia. Captain STEPHEN SMITH, Bodega, California. State DepartmENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monte ey, August 16, 1847. SIR Representations have been made to the governor of the Territory, of differences between yourself and Captain Stephen Smith respecting your claims to certain lands. It is not the intention of the existing government to interfere in any respect with the land titles established by the government of Mexico, or the former legal authorities of this Territory. It is suggested, however, that it may be well for yourself and Captain Smith to employ some regularly-appointed surveyor to lay off your lands in accordance with your title deeds, and to deposite certified. copies of said surveys and papers in some office of record, in order that all questions of titles may be examined and definitively settled whenever the proper tribunals shall be established for that purpose. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Mr. JAMES BLACK, STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, August 16, 1847. SIR: I am directed by the governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 26th of May and 16th of July, 1847. The absence of the governor from the capital has prevented an earlier reply to the last of these two letters. The articles mentioned by you as having been given up by the Indian captain, Cucusuy, should be delivered to their rightful owners, on your receiving satisfactory proof of ownership. The same course will be pursued in all cases where stolen property is given up by the Indians, or taken from them by your orders. No further military force can be sent to Sonoma, but it is hoped that the garrison now there will be found sufficient to deter the hostile tribes from further depredations in that quarter. It is thought, by sending messages to the leaders of the Indians spoken of in your letter of the 16th ultimo as having made a hostile demonstration near the lakes, or by obtaining a consultation with them yourself, you may be able to satisfy them of the kind intentions of our government. [The remainder of this letter the same as the following circular to Captain Sutter.] Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State for the Territory of California. Señor Don MARIANO G. VALLEJO, Sub-agent of Indian Affairs, Sc., &c., Sonoma, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, SIR: I am directed by the governor to express to you his entire approbation of your conduct as sub-Indian agent, in seeking to bring to justice the whites who committed the outrages on the Indians mentioned in your letter of the 12th of July, and also to say that he fully approves of the measures proposed in your letters of the 18th and 27th of May, for conciliating the tribes of wild Indians in your district. To the instructions already given you by General Kearny, I am now directed to add the following CIRCULAR. Your duties as sub-Indian agent have reference more particularly to the "Gentiles" or wild Indians, but they will also embrace the "Neophytes" or tame Indians of the missions and ranches. The latter will be subject to all municipal regulations established by the alcaldes within their respective alcaldias or districts, and also to all local regulations which you may deem proper to establish for the government of these Indianssuch regulations being in all cases reported to the governor for his approval. You will also regard yourself as the protector of the Indians from the ill treatment of their employers, and will take the proper measures to arraign before some alcalde, for trial and punishment, all persons who may be guilty of such maltreatment, or of any improper conduct towards the Indians of your district. In this matter much is left to your own discretion and good sense; and from your knowledge of the character and condition of these Indians, the governor expects that you will do much to induce them to pursue a more honest and industrious course of conduct. It is thought by having a consultation with the leaders of the hostile tribes, or by sending them messages, you may be able to satisfy them of the kind intentions of our government towards their people, and persuade them to a more pacific policy. You will endeavor to convince these Indians that the new government wishes peace with them; that it is willing to forgive all past offences, but at the same time is determined to inflict severe punishment for all depredations which they may in future commit on the inhabitants of the country, whether native Californians or new settlers. Let them understand that while the government will punish them for their depredations, it will also protect them and their property from injury by the whites. Tell them that if any ill disposed person should do them injury they must complain of it to you, and not themselves attempt to inflict punishment, or to retaliate upon the offenders. The government will always be ready to do ample justice to the Indians, and will redress all their wrongs; but it cannot permit them to take this matter into their own hands. In all cases of offence on the part of the whites against the Indians, or of the Indians against the inhabitants of the country, you are the authorized agent of the government for seeing that the culprits are brought to justice. In ordinary cases, the offenders should be arraigned before one of the alcaldes of your district for his action in the premises; but in extraordinary cases you will retain the offenders in custody, and immediately report to the governor for his instructions. You are authorized to call upon any military officer near you for whatever assistance you may require to enable you to carry into effect these or any other instructions which you may receive from the proper authorities. It is desirable to collect some correct information respecting the location, numbers, and character of the several Indian tribes within your district; and, from your acquaintance with the chiefs of these tribes, it is supposed you will be able to communicate much that will be valuable and interesting, not only to the authorities of the Territory, but also to the general government at Washington. All statistics of these tribes, their manner of subsistence, their government, their mode of carrying on war, their military weapons and accoutrements-in fine, facts of any kind respecting their history or present condition will be highly acceptable. In all cases where stolen property is given up by the Indians, or taken from them by your orders, such property will be restored to the rightful owners on your receiving satisfactory proofs of ownership. It is to be regretted that the present state of the finances of the Territory will not authorize the purchase of presents to be given by the Indian agents to the friendly chiefs and tribes; but, a supply of such goods having been asked from the general government at Washington, it is hoped that some may be received in the 'course of the year. You are requested to write frequently to the governor, communicating freely your views and opinions respecting the best measures to be adopted for the government of the Indians and for the security of their quiet and happiness. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State Captain J. A. Sutter, Sub-agent of Indian Affairs, &c., New Helvetia, California. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, SIR: It appears from a letter of William Richardson, collector of customs and harbor-master of the port of San Francisco, dated July 12, that he is unable to collect certain duties of Messrs. Ward & Smith, except in "government orders," (which are understood to be due-bills given by officers and other persons for claims against the United States.) The moneys collected for customs belong to the civil government of the Territory, and cannot properly be used for the payment of the general debts of the United States government. To prevent further difficulties of this kind, it is respectfully suggested that some port regulations be established requiring all duties to be paid immediately on the entry of goods at the custom-house. The collectors have already been instructed by the governor of the Territory to receive nothing but specie, treasury notes, and drafts for customs and fees; but it is supposed to belong to the naval commander-in-chief, rather than the territorial governor, to establish regulations respecting the time of payment, &c. Will you have the kindness to communicate a copy of such regulations as you may deem proper to establish. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. W. BRANFORD SHUBRICK, Commander-in-chief of the naval forces. Know all men by these presents, that I, Richard B. Mason, colonel 1st regiment United States dragoons, and governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby appoint Don Mariano G. Vallejo and J. A. Sutter, both citizens of California, and sub-Indian agents, special commissioners or judges to hold a court at or near Sutter's Fort, on the Sacramento, at such early day as may be most convenient, for the trial of Antonio M. Armijo, Smith, (commonly called "growling Smith,") and John Eggar, each and severally charged with the murder, as well as the capturing and carrying off in slavery, of several peaceable Indians, some time about the latter part of June, or early in July, 1847. Done at Monterey, California, this 19th day of August, 1847, and the 72d of the independence of the United States. R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. Know all men by these presents, that I, Richard B. Mason, colonel 1st dragoons United States army, and governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby appoint J. D. Hunter a sub-Indian agent for the Indians in the lower district of Upper California. Given at Santa Barbara, Upper California, this 1st day of August, 1847, and the 72d of the independence of the United States. R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, August 19, 1847. GENTLEMEN: I herewith enclose you a commission for you to hold a special court for the trial of Armijo, Smith, and Eggar, each and seve |