Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. Kearny and Stockton--Conflict of Authority--March to Los Angeles from the South--Coming down of Fremont from the North--Los Angeles taken--The "Couenga Capitulation "--Commodore Stockton Appoints Colonel Fremont Governor and Retires to his ShipGeneral Kearny Assumes the Office of Governor under his Orders from Washington--Fremont Refuses to Recognize his Authority--Commodore Shubrick Arrives, February, 1847--Relieves Commodore Stockton--The Government set up by Stockton and Fremont Ignored--Shubrick takes Command at Sea and Kearny on Land--The "Government Plan " is Restored. Here begins a conflict of authority. General Kearny comes in obedience to the orders of the government, of June 3, 1846. Commodore Stockton is acting only under orders to take possession of the ports, but nothing was said in them about conquering the country or setting up a civil government. The intention of the government in the matter is very plain. For no sooner had they learned of the beginning of Commodore Stockton's movements than the Secretary of the Navy wrote him as follows, under date November 5, 1846, which letter was on the way at the time the two officers met in San Diego: --"The President has deemed it best for the public interests to invest the military officer commanding with the direction of the operations on land and with the administrative functions of government over the people and territory occupied by us. "You will relinquish to Colonel Mason, or to General Kearny, if the latter shall arrive before you have done so, the entire control over these matters, and turn over to him all papers necessary to the performance of his duties." If the Commodore could have received this order at this time, it would have settled the matter, and would...
