this convention as representing the wishes of the people of California in the matter of public expenditures. It is true that the salaries and payments authorized by the convention were high, and by some may be considered extravagant; but in deciding upon their justice, we must take into consideration the peculiar state of the country, and the high prices paid here for everything, even including the necessaries of life. It, however, will continue to be my aim, as it has been heretofore, to keep the expenditures from the "civil funds" within the limits of the strictest economy; nevertheless, the expenses of a civil government in this country are now, and will be for years to come, very large. The whole country remains remarkably quiet, and the civil officers encounter no serious difficulties in enforcing the laws. It is therefore hoped and believed that the powers of the existing government will be found sufficiently ample to preserve the public tranquillity until it shall be replaced by a more perfect organization under the constitution. For my views with respect to the proper disposition to be made of the mineral and agricultural lands in this country, with respect to the importance of immediately establishing a mint in California, and the use which should be made of the "civil funds" which have accrued from the customs collected here by the governor of California previous to the assumption by the general government of the control of this matter, I would respectfully refer you to my former civil despatches. The atten tion which I have given to these subjects since writing those despatches has only tended to confirm the opinions there expressed. This despatch and the accompanying papers will be delivered to you by Mr. J. McHenry Hollingsworth, late lieutenant of the regiment of New York volunteers disbanded in this country. He has, in accordance with the instructions of the Secretary of War, been furnished by the quartermaster's department with transportation to the place of his enlistment. Mr. Hollingsworth has proved himself a faithful and trustworthy officer, and merits in every respect the confidence of the government. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, B. RILEY, Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., and Governor of California. Major General R. JONES, Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C. STATE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, MAJOR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, enclosing summary statement of "civil funds" for August. That letter has been submitted to General Riley, who directs me to express to you his surprise at your question, Whether or not you were to continue to loan the "civil funds" to the quartermaster's department? In all the instructions which have been given respecting this fund, it has been expressly stated that none of this money could be expended or loaned without the direct order of the governor. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major R. ALLEN, H. W. HALLECK, United States Army, San Francisco, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, October 3, 1849. SIR: I am directed by the governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, and to say, in reply, that the appointments of sheriffs and clerks will be left, as heretofore, to the courts. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Wm. B. ALMOND, H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. Judge of First Instance, San Francisco, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, SIR: I am directed by the governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ultimo, and to say, in reply, that the appointments of sheriffs and clerks will be left, as heretofore, to the courts. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of Sale. R. M. MAY, STATE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of Sep tember 29, and the enclosed copy of the record in the case of the people of Upper California vs. Joseph Daniel. It is not believed to be required either by the laws or usages in Cali fornia that the governor should approve the sentence of the courts of first instance. All appeals and references from this court should be made, not to the executive, but to the superior tribunal. The governor, therefore, directs me to return herewith the copy of the record in this case, for such action as may be deemed necessary and proper. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. J. W. GEARY, H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. Judge of First Instance, San Francisco, California. The bearer, William C. Jones, esq., being on public business, all civil officers of the government of California are requested to allow him to examine the archives of the different public offices. B. RILEY, Brevet Brigadier General, and Governor of California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of August 29, appealing to the governor in certain cases tried before the alcalde of Sonoma. Appeals of this kind should not be made to the gov ernor, but to the superior tribunal, which is now completely organized and in session. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. Capt. J. E. BRACKETT, Sonoma, California. Know all men by these presents, that 1, Bennet Riley, brevet brigadier general United States army, and governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby appoint and commission Charles C. Moore a notary public in and for the district of San Francisco. Given under my hand and seal, at Monterey, California, this 4th day of October, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty-nine. B. RILEY. Official: Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., and Governor of California. H. W. HALLECK, Secretary of State, and Brevet Captain. Know all men by these presents, that I, Bennet Riley, brevet brigadier general United States army, and governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby appoint and commission Thomas Filden a notary public in and for the district of San Francisco. Given under my hand and seal, at Monterey, California, this 4th day of October, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty-nine. B. RILEY, Official: Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., and Governor of California. H. W. HALLECK, Know all men by these presents, that I, Bennet Riley, brevet brigadier general United States army, and Governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby appoint and commission Charles J. Brenham a notary public in and for the district of San Francisco. Given under my hand and seal, at Monterey, California, this 4th day of October, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty-nine. Official : B. RILEY, Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., and Governor of California. H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. Know all men by these present, that I, Bennet Riley, brevet brigadier general United States army, and governor of California, by virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby appoint and commission Julins R. Rose a notary public in and for the district of San Francisco. Given under my hand and seal, at Monterey, California, this 4th day of October, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty-nine. Official : B. RILEY, Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., and Governor of California. H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. STATE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, GENTLEMEN: I am directed by the governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of September 30. As the revenue laws of the United States are now extended over California, the governor does not consider himself authorized to interfere in their execution. The collector of San Francisco is the proper person to decide whether you are entitled to the drawback of $381, and the governor leaves the question for such action as he may deem proper. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. Messrs. E. MICKLE & Co., STATE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, October 4, 1849. SIR: I am directed by the governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of September 11 and 17. The governor cannot consent to pay the prefect's clerk any higher salary than that authorized by law. The question of appointing an additional judge of first instance in the district of San Francisco had been acted on by the superior tribunal previous to the receipt of your letter. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. H. HAWES, H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. Prefect of San Francisco, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, SIR: I am directed by the governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, (without date,) and to say, in reply, that, as Congress has failed to pass any laws respecting the occupation and sale of public lands in Cali fornia, he has no power to secure you in any "exclusive right or privilege" to the ferry or crossing mentioned in your letter. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WILLIAM KNIGHT, Esq., H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. Knight's Crossing, Stanislaw river, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, October 4, 1849. SIR: I am directed by the governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of September 4, respecting the making out the boundaries of a piece of land to which you hope to have a pre-emption right. As Congress has passed no laws on this subject applicable to California, the governor is unable to give you any directions with respect to the survey and possession of the land in question. Congress will, no doubt, at its coming session, pass the necessary laws respecting pre-emption claims to public lands in this country. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. S. SWART, Esq., H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. Toulumme, mouth of Wood Creek, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, GENTLEMEN: I am directed by the governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of September 20, and to say, in reply, that it is neither usual nor necessary for the executive to commission the officers of a district, except the first judge and prefect. Where vacancies occur in the local offices, they should be filled by election, and the returns of said election. sent to the prefect of the district for his approval. But if the prefect should refuse to approve them, then an appeal may be made to the governor. Mr. Crosby is the prefect of Sacramento district, and Mr. Dickenson of San Joaquin district. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. J. B. DONALEN and FRANCIS J. RUSSELL, Dry Diggings, Culifornia. Know all men by these presents, that I, Bennet Riley, brevet brigadier general United States army, and governor of California, by virtue of |