The position of California, in her commercial relations, both with respect to foreign countries and to other parts of the Union, is, therefore, the same as that of any other portion of the territory of the United States. There, however, being as yet no collection districts established by Congress in California, no foreign dutiable goods can be introduced here. Vessels having on board dutiable goods which they wish to land in California, must enter them in some regular port of entry of the United States, and there pay the duties prescribed by law. Any such vessels presenting themselves in a port of California, without having so entered their duti able goods, ought properly to be warned away and refused admission; and when the goods are entered at a regular custom-house, they can be brought here only in American bottoms. Such is the course required by a strict interpretation of the law; but, as this would subject such vessels to great inconvenience and expense, the authorities having charge of this matter have resolved to present to them the following alternative: To pay here all duties and fees, and to execute all papers prescribed by the revenue laws of the United States; and, upon their doing so, their goods will be admitted. But, without the execution of such papers, and the payment of such duties and fees, they cannot be allowed to enter or to land their cargoes; and any attempt to import into this Territory foreign dutiable goods, without the payment of duties, will subject them to all penalties of the law-both vessels and goods will be seized and sent for adjudication in the United States court established in Oregon. This view of the subject presents a ready reply to the questions proposed in your letter. No vessel can demand as a right to enter any foreign dutiable goods here, and you will not be liable to prosecution for refusing such entry; and by a voluntary payment of her duties here, in preference to going to a regularly established port of entry such vessel binds herself to abide by the revenue laws of the United States, in the absence of all instructions to the contrary. Your books and papers should be kept, so far as possible, in accordance with the regulation of the Treasury Department of the United States, transmitting your accounts to this office in the manner already directed. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, E. H. HARRISON, Esq., STATE DEPARTment of the TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, February 21, 1849. SIR: Colonel Mason directs that you will have the enclosed note delivered to Don Pio Pico by an officer who will receive and receipt for any official papers that may be turned over to him. A written answer to that note will re required of Señor Pico. You will also please to call upon the person (believed to be M. Temple) who claims to own the island of Alcatraces, in the bay of San Francisco, and request a copy of his title. I enclose you a copy of a confidential letter to Colonel Stevenson, dated July 26, 1848. Colonel Mason wishes you to forward any information which you may obtain on the subjects mentioned in these letters. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Lieutenant of Engineers, and Secretary of State. Major L. P. GRAHAM, HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, February 26, 1849. COMMODORE: General P. F. Smith, United States army, arrived here on the 23d instant with important instructions from Washington. The substance of these instructions, as far as they relate to the collection of revenue, is embodied in the enclosed letter, copies of which will be immediately sent to the collectors of the different ports of California. It is reported here that several vessels have just arrived in San Francisco with dutiable goods on board, which they intend to land without the payment of duties. If they attempt this, I request that the naval forces at San Francisco may seize both goods and vessels, and send them to Oregon for adjudication. A judge of admiralty is now aboard the steamer California, and will go immediately to his district in that Territory. General Smith will go to San Francisco in the steamer, where he will inform you more fully of the character of the orders received here by the recent mail. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons, commanding. Commodore THOS. AP C. JONES, Commanding United States naval forces in the Pacific ocean, San Francisco. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE Territory of CALIFORNIA, Monterey, February 28, 1849. SIR: On examination of your accounts for the 3d quarter of 1848, they are not found to contain any receipt from Captain Folsom for the $21,942 97 turned over to him during that quarter. Will you please to forward the receipts, so that they may be sent to Washington with the account. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. H. HARRISON, Esq., H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. Collector, San Francisco, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, March 2, 1849. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st of December, enclosing your custom-house accounts for the 4th quarter of 1848. I find, upon examination, that the amount charged for your salary from August 7 to December 31 is $427 33; whereas you should have charged for 25 days in the month of August, $68 49, and for the last 4 months of 1848, $333 33-making a total of $401 82. You will, therefore, deduct from your salary for this quarter $25 51, which was overcharged in your accounts for the last quarter. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. Don Miguel DE PEDRORENA, STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, March 2, 1849. SIR: Governor Mason directs that, on the arrival of United States troops at the mission of San Luis Rey, the sub-Indian agent at that place will turn over to the commanding officer all public property and official papers in his possession. His pay will cease on the day of his being relieved from the duties of his office by the arrival of the troops. Very respectfully, &c., your obedient servant, Captain J. D. HUNTER, Sub-Indian Agent, San Luis Rey, California, STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, March 3, 1849. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th ultimo, with the enclosed papers. Your civil accounts for the third and fourth quarters of 1848, and for the first quarter of 1849, have been endorsed by Colonel Mason "examined and approved," and will be forwarded to Washington by the earliest opportunity. Your account current for the second quarter of 1848 was received in August last, but as it contained no abstract of disbursements as voucher, it has not been sent to Washington. You will please to forward them to this office by the next mail, in order that your civil accounts may be settled. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. J. W. DAVIDSON, H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. U. S. Army, San Francisco, California. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, March 6, 1849. This is to certify that Emeterio Fillamil, a native of Bolivia, under date of the 4th of March of the present year, made known to the undersigned his intention and wish to become a citizen of the United States, and to reside in California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, California, March 13, 1849. SIR: I am directed by the governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2d instant, giving official notice of an election held in San Luis Obispo on the 18th ultimo, to fill the vacancy caused by the expiration of your term of office as alcalde of that district. The governor approves of the election of Don Miguel Abila; and you will therefore, on the receipt of this, recognise him as your successor in that office. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN MICHAEL PRICE, Esq., H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. Alcalde, San Luis Obispo, California. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, March 15, 1849. This is to certify that William Jones, "by birth an Englishman," under date of the 14th of March of the present year, made known to the undersigned his intention to become an American citizen, "with a view of fixing his residence permanently in this Territory." R. B. MASON, Col. 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. STATE Department of the TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, Monterey, March 17, 1849. SIR: The commanding officer of the division (General Smith) suggests that where vessels have entered and paid their duties at San Francisco, they be allowed to discharge their cargoes at such points on the bay as they may choose. As all matters concerning port regulations in Califor nia were by the President assigned to the commanding officer of the naval forces, (and it is not known that these instructions have been changed since the end of the war,) Governor Mason directs that you will consult Commodore Jones on this subject, and act in accordance with his views. It will be necessary that a custom-house officer accompany each vessel to its place of discharge, to see that the revenue laws are not infringed. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. H. HARRISON, Esq., H. W. HALLECK, Brevet Captain, and Secretary of State. Collector, San Francisco, California. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 5th of February, in reply to mine of the 24th of January, in which 1 could only express the opinion therein mentioned. I can give no command relative to the money and property of the persons referred to, as it is not subject to my authority to say in what manner it should be disposed of. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Colonel 1st Dragoons. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, March 19, 1849. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 14th instant. I have this day given to the alcalde of the San Franciso district instructions to take the proper steps to have your wishes carried into effect. I am, sir, with high respect and esteem, your obedient servant, Mr. J. S. MOERENHOUT, Col. 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. Consul of France, Monterey, California. HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Monterey, California, March 19, 1849. SIR: I transmit to you herewith a translation of a communication received on the 15th instant from the French consul, Mr. Moerenhout, dated Monterey, 14th March, 1849. I desire you will take proper steps to carry into effect the wishes of the French consul, as he is the only authorized person in whose hands the papers and effects found in California belonging to deceased Frenchmen should be deposited. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, M. T. LEAVENWORTH, R. B. MASON, Col. 1st Dragoons, Governor of California. 1st Alcalde, district of San Francisco, California. STATE DEPARTMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA, All your SIR: Your letter of the 7th instant is received; and Colonel Mason directs me to reply to so much of it as relates to civil matters. quarterly papers relating to civil funds should be forwarded to Washing |