454 history of california. 



Appendix F. 



« 



The following despatch contains instrnctions to Gen- 

 eral Kearny concerning the conquest of California, 

 contained in a despatch from the Secretary of War, 

 marked confidential. But a portion of these instruc- 

 tions were carried out, in consequence of the antici- 

 pation of the conquest by Commodore Stockton and 

 Colonel Fremont. 



[Confidential.] 



War Department, 



Washington, June 3, 1846. 



Sir : I herewith send you a copy of my letter to 

 the governor of Missouri for an additional force of 

 one thousand mounted men. 



The object of thus adding to the force under your 

 command is not, as you will perceive, fully set forth 

 in that letter, for the reason that it is deemed prudent 

 that it should not, at this time, become a matter of 

 public notoriety ; but to you it is proper and neces- 

 sary that it should be stated. 



It has been decided by the President to be of the 

 greatest importance in the pending war with Mexico 

 to take the earliest possession of Upper California. 

 An expedition with that view is hereby ordered, and 

 you are designated to command it. To enable you to 

 be in sufficient force to conduct it successfully, this 

 additional force of a thousand mounted men has been 

 provided, to follow you in the direction of Santa Fe, 

 to be under your orders or the officer you may leave 

 in command at Santa Fe. 



It carfnot be determined how far this additional 

 force will be behind that designed for the Santa Fe 



