456 HISTORY OF CALIFOENIA. 



thej will be paid as other volunteers, and you can allow 

 them to designate, so far as it can be properly done, 

 the persons to act as officers thereof. It is under- 

 stood that a considerable number of American citizens 

 are now settled on the Sacramento River, near Sutter s 

 establishment, called " Nueva Helvetia," who are 

 well disposed towards the United States. Should 

 you, on your arrival in the country, find this to be 

 the true state of things there, you are authorized to 

 organize and receive into the service of the United 

 States such portion of these citizens as you may think 

 useful to aid you to hold the possession of the coun- 

 try. You will in that case allow them, so far as 

 you shall judge proper, to select their own offi- 

 cers. A large discretionary power is invested in 

 you in regard to these matters, as well as to all 

 others, in relation to the expeditions confided to your 

 command. 



The choice of routes by which you will enter Cali- 

 fornia will be left to your better knowledge and 

 ampler means of getting accurate information. We 

 are assured that a southern route (called the caravan 

 route, by which the wild horses are brought from that 

 country into New Mexico) is practicable, and it is 

 suggested as not improbable that it can be passed 

 over in the winter months, or at least late in autumn. 

 It is hoped that this information may prove to be 

 correct. 



In regard to the routes^ the practicability of pro- 

 curing needful supplies for men and animals, and 

 transporting baggage, is a point to be well considered. 

 Should the President be disappointed in his cherished 

 hope that you will be able to reach the interior of 

 Upper California before winter, you are then desired 



