Robert Stockton letter to George Bancroft, 15 January 1847

Head-Quarters, Ciudad De Los Angeles, January 15, 1847.

SIR: Referring to my letter of the 11th, I have the honour to inform you of the arrival of Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont at this place with four hundred men; that some of the insurgents have made their escape to Sonora, and that the rest have surrendered to our arms.

Immediately after the battles of the 8th and 9th, they began to disperse; and I am sorry to say that their leader, Jose M. Flores, made his escape, and that the others have been pardoned by a capitulation agreed upon by Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont.

Jose M. Flores, the commander of the insurgent forces, two or three days previous to the 8th sent two commissioners, with a flag of truce, to my camp to make a treaty of peace. I informed the commissioners that I could not recognise Jose M. Flores, who had broken his parole, as an honourable man, or as one having any rightful authority, or worthy to be treated with; that he was a rebel in arms, and, if I caught him, I would have him shot.

It seemed that, not being able to negotiate with me, and having lost the battles of the 8th and 9th, they met Colonel Fremont on the 12th instant on his way here, who, not knowing what had occurred, entered into the capitulation with them, which I now send to you ; and, although I refused to do it myself, still I have thought it best to approve it. I am glad to say that, by the capitulation, we have recovered the gun taken by the insurgents at the sad defeat of General Kearney at San Pasqual.

The territory of California is again tranquil, and the civil government, formed by me, is again in operation in the places where it was interrupted by the insurgents.

Colonel Fremont has five hundred men in his battalion, which will be quite sufficient to preserve the peace of the territory ; and I will immediately with draw my sailors and marines, and sail as soon as possible for the coast of Mexico, where I hope they will give a good account of themselves.

Faithfully, your obedient servant,

R. F. STOCKTON, Commodore, &c.

To the Hon. George Bancroft,

Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.