Alta California

Hawks Peak, CA - 10 March 1846

I am making myself as strong as possible, in the intention that if we are unjustly attacked, we will fight to extremity, and refuse quarter trusting to our country to avenge our death.

Monterey, CA - 4 March 1846

The undersigned has the honor to inform the Honorable Secretary that Captain J. C. Fremont arrived within this department in January last, with his party of fifty men

Monterey, CA - 9 March 1846

It is impossible to say whether Senor Castro, the prefecto, and the general will attack Captain Fremont ; we expect such will be the case.

Monterey, CA - 10 March 1846

I take the liberty to propose to him that before proceeding to extremities, he will please to address a communication to Captain Fremont

Monterey, CA - 2 April 1846

In giving my first information to the department respecting Captain Fremont's arrival in California, I did not anticipate such an extensive correspondence as it has now reached.

Lassens Rancho, CA - 25 April 1846

There is required for the support of the exploring party under my command, at present almost entirely destitute, the following amount of supplies...

Independence, MO - 11 May 1846

Tamzene Eustis Donner letter to an unknown sister... We go to California, to the bay of San Francisco. It is a four months trip.

San Francisco, CA - 9 June 1846

I have the honor to enclose a Requisition for supplies, made upon me by Capt. Fremont, of United States Topographical Engineers

Sonoma, CA - 15 June 1846

There was now no alternative but to die silently, and singly by the hands of our enemies or fly to meet the foe.

Sausalito, CA - 16 June 1846

Permit me, sir, in response to your call for powder for the use of your party, to say that I am here as a representative of a government at peace (as far as I know) with Mexico and her province of California...

Santa Clara, CA - 23 June 1846

Commander-in-Chief of the Department, has had advice from various sources, that the boats of the American ship of war Portsmouth, now anchored in San Francisco, go about the bay armed for the purpose of examining its trade...

Sausalito, CA - 23 June 1846

Individuals and small parties from this section have been joining the insurgents at Sonoma daily, I am informed, and Lieutenant Hunter brings intelligence of Sutter's union with them.

Edgewood, SC - 5 July 1846

If we had California, with its vast harbors, in the next fifty years we could control the commerce of the Pacific and the wealth of China and India...

Monterey, CA - 6 July 1846

I have determined to hoist the flag of the United States at this place to-morrow, as I would prefer being sacrificed for doing too much than too little

Mission Of Carmel, CA - 25 July 1846

I had scarcely reached the Lower Sacramento, when General Castro, then in the north (at Sonoma...), declared his determination immediately to proceed against the foreigners settled in the country...

Sacramento Valley, CA - 21 October 1846

John Sutter journal entry... rumors was circulating that war had been declared between the U. States and Mexico...

San Diego, CA - 22 December 1846

I do not think that Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont should be left unsupported to fight a battle upon which the fate of California may, for a long time, depend...

Los Angeles, CA - 6 February 1847

Benjamin Lippincott letter to John L. Stephens... My tour from New York has been one wild adventure with all the changes of an ardous trip, intermingled with some pleasures and instruction.

San Francisco, CA - 1 June 1848

Thomas Larkin letter to James Buchanan... I have to report to the State Department one of the most astonishing excitements and state of affairs now existing in this country, that, perhaps, has ever been brought to the notice of the Government