Book Description

Handwritten copies of letters and documents issued by Stockton as commodore and later as military governor of California, during the Mexican War; together with a few letters addressed to him. Most of the material was written aboard the U.S. Frigate Congress, at anchor in Monterey Bay. Includes general orders; lists of dispatches sent to Washington; appointments made to the Legislative Council; letters to George Bancroft, Secretary of the Navy; appointment of Fremont as Military Commander; various appointments and transfers of officers and men; safe conduct passes; and paroles of officers. Also includes material on the organization of the territory of Calif., and on Stockton's efforts to expel General Jose Castro from Calif. Some letters were written from Headquarters in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Camp Luis Rey. Correspondents to Stockton include J.S. Fremont, Walter Colton, and Robert Semple, editor of The Californian. The letterbook contains a handwritten index.