HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



445 



of the Pacific squadron continued tho direction of 

 all matters relating to port regulations. A double 

 necessity impelled the governor to this course. The 

 country, was in pressing need of these foreign goods, 

 and Congress had established no port of entry on this 

 coast. The want of a more complete organization of 

 the existing civil government was daily increasing, and, 

 as Congress had made no provisions for supporting a 

 government in this country, it was absolutely necessary 

 to create a fund for that purpose from the duties col 

 lected on these foreign goods. It is true that there 

 were no laws authorizing the collection of these 

 duties ; but at the same time the laws forbade the 

 landing of the goods till the duties were paid. Gov 

 ernor Mason, therefore, had no alternative but to 

 pursue the course which he adopted. He immediately 

 communicated to Washington his action in the case ; 

 and as the receipt of his despatch was acknowledged 

 without any dissent being expressed, it must be pre 

 sumed that his course met the approbation of the 

 government. When I assumed command in this 

 country as civil governor, I was directed to receive 

 these communications and instructions from Governor 

 Mason, for my guidance in the administration of the 

 civil affairs of this Territory. I have accordingly 

 continued the collection of the revenue, and added 

 the proceeds to the " civil fund," using that fund for 

 the necessary expenses of the civil government. The 

 expenses of employing civil officers in this country 

 are very great ; and as I have no authority to lay 

 taxes, this fund forms my only means of carrying on 

 the government. The necessity of employing these 

 officers, and of paying them the full salaries authorized 

 by law under the existing state of affairs, is too ol>- 



