© 2000 Kris Overstreet

	"October 7, 1853

	Dearest,

	Another week has gone by with little or no good coming of our
occupation of this pestilent land. We ought never to have gone to war
against Spain at all, still less made any claim to the Phillipines.
These islands suck out our energies and manpower during our time of
crisis, just when we need our men at home the most.

	I have submitted both requests for transfer and resignations
to Maj Gen Worth, and all have been refused. Gen Worth is of the
profound belief that we cannot afford division while attempting to
secure the islands. Colonel Hardee agrees with him, and points out
that if our meager 2,000 men (since reinforced to 3,000, although I
doubt there shall be any more forthcoming from President Seward) were
back home, we should all be fighting one another, but so long as we
are here, eight thousand miles from the civil conflict you write me
of, we must all stand together.

	Although this logic is sound enough on its face, not all of us
subscribe to it. Major Hopkins Sibley of the 3rd Cavalry is a
brilliant man, but no commander, and even as we embarked upon the
ships a year and more ago I thought him far too fond of the bottle.
Since word came to us of the rebellion Major Sibley has become even
fonder, for he is strong for the secessionist cause and mourns that he
cannot win his laurels in the great war at home. 

	I fear to say too much about Mr. Sibley, however, for it pains
me to admit that my loneliness and frustration have on occasion driven
me into an alcoholic stupor. Indeed, it is only through the aid of my
friends such as Captain Cump Sherman and others that I remain sobre
enough to function as an officer in the United States Army.

	Beloved, I cannot come to you. Say that you will come to me
and ease a little of the agony of remaining in these thankless jungles
so far away from where true duty lies...

	--- Captain Ulysses Simpson Grant, 1st U.S. Cavalry, Manila

	
	October 24, 1853

	To: James P. Henderson

	On behalf of my government, may I offer my sincere
congratulations on your recent election to the highest office of your
republic. 
	However, certain remarks made in a public speech have reached
the ears of my government, and I am instructed to remind you that any
recognition of the insurrectionist group referring to itself as the
government of the Confederate States of America shall be regarded as
an act of war against the United States of America...

	--- Ambassador Horatio Seymour, U.S. Ambassador to Texas

November 3, 1853

	HAVE RECIEVED RESULTS OF ELECTIONS. MILITIA ORGANIZED AND
READY TO MOVE. WILL HAVE CALIFORNIA FOR THE UNION OR DIE.

	--- Fremont to Vanderbilt

November 12, 1853

	Department of Northern California
	Major General Albert Sidney Johnston, commanding

	Effective this date all militia companies not expressly called
up by act of the chief executive of the Republic of Texas shall return
their arms to their arsenals and stand down. Any militia forces found
in arms after November 18, 1853 shall be regarded by this Department
as insurrectionary forces threatening the peace and security of the
Republic, and shall be treated accordingly.

November 14, 1853

	Effective this date the militia companies formerly known as
the Washington Greys, the San Jose Invincibles, and the Hidalgo
Artillery are mustered into the service of the Republic of Texas as
the First Regiment of California Volunteer Infantry, by my order,

	ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON, General cmdg.

November 16, 1853

	After bitter fighting which destroyed much of the city, rebel
militia under the command of John C. Fremont have been ejected from
the peninsula upon which San Francisco rests. However, the enemy has
moved artillery onto the northern tip of the Golden Gate and bombards
any ship flying a Texan flag which attempts to enter or leave harbor.
We are effectively under siege until and unless reinforcements can be
obtained, by land or sea.
	I am dispatching this message by several messengers using both
mounted scouts to penetrate the enemy lines and the TNS Burleson. To
all who read this message, I say: we still hold the Presidio and
Alcatraz. We have a moderate supply of beef, produce and water to
hand, and we are able to fish in the bay to supplement our food. Most
of the citizens have fled, leaving only the garrison of 2,000 troops,
an additional 800 loyal militia, and a civilian population of some
3,000 men, women and children. I estimate we can withstand siege for
up to four months if circumstances are not altered, and I shall
attempt a breakthrough if opportunity presents itself.
	I urge all who may read this message to send us the most aid
possible. The garrisons in San Diego and Sutter's Fort are surrendered
and must be considered lost. The enemy has at least 5,000 men at arms
in California and is recruiting more every day. Action is required at
once to subdue this unlawful and immoral rebellion, and we are
resolved not to surrender without a fight. VICTORY OR DEATH.
	--- Albert Sidney Johnston

	November 16, 1853

	To: William Seward, President of the United States
	Abraham Lincoln, President Pro Tempore of the United States
Senate
	Nathaniel Banks, Speaker of the House of Representatives of
the United States
	Stephen Douglas, Secretary of State of the United States

	We, the people of Texan California, hereby request admission
into the United States, in conjunction with that portion of Mexican
California sold to your nation in the Deseret Purchase, as a free
state. A state constitution shall be sent to your Congress for
approval within the month...

	--- John C. Fremont

	November 30, 1853

	... and therefore we declare that California is, and ought to
be, a Free and Sovreign State, and we therefore declare that no slave
power shall hold authority over us henceforth, and to this goal we
pledge our homes, our lives, and our sacred honor. 

	Enacted this day the 30th of November 1853, by delegates of
Sacramento, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, San Diego,
and sundry other settlements throughout the region known as
California, as undersigned below:

	--- from the Second Californian Declaration of Independence

	December 4, 1853

	To: the Hon. Horatio Seymour

	In response to your letter of October, I reply that
circumstances have changed greatly in the intervening period between
my election and my upcoming inauguration on the 12th proximo.
Considering the peculiar circumstances both our nations find ourselves
in, I hereby propose that my administration shall forego recognition
of the confederation of states in rebellion to your authority until
such time as the matter is settled by force of arms.
	In reciprocity, I request that you regard the rumors of
rebellion against Texas authority in California as a matter strictly
internal to Texas, and therefore refrain from interfering therein.
	-- James Pinckney Henderson

	December 11, 1853

	My government accepts with gratitude and respect your pledge
to remain neutral in the civil unrest within our nation.
	As to affairs within your Republic, my government states that
the United States will conduct its affairs as regards internal
disputes of your nation with precisely the degree of neutrality that
your nation applies to our affairs.
	-- Horatio Seymour

	December 12, 1853
	(originally printed in both Spanish and English)

	CITIZENS!
	of the Republic of Texas
	The Yankee usurpers, having worn a false face for six years,
have removed the mask and revealed their true intentions! To those who
will not see their beloved California as a possession of the United
States, to those who would protect their farms and ranches from the
despoilers, I call for ACTION! 
	In the name of California for Californians, I call the loyal
men of Texan California to ARMS against the usurpers! Let all those
who wish to stand against Fremont assemble tonight and declare
themselves for Texas and FREEDOM!

	--- Andreas Pico

	December 13, 1853

	The Congress of the Republic of Texas is hereby called into
emergency session, to convene not later than January 20, 1854.
	In the meantime, by decree of the President of the Republic of
Texas, all militia units within the Republic are called to full alert
and shall report to the nearest military installation for drill and
enlistment into the Army of the Republic for the purpose of restoring
peace to California...

	December 28, 1853

	By order of the President of the Republic of Texas, the ports
of San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland and Benecia are closed to all
traffic, foreign and domestic. This order shall be enforced by the
Texas Navy, with any ships violating the closed ports subject to
capture and siezure by the Republic of Texas as smugglers and pirates.

	January 5, 1854

	In response to your unusual letter, the President and the
Congress decline to hear your petition for statehood within the United
States at this time, whereas your state has not as yet attained either
independence or permission from your parent nation to separate, and
whereas your government is not representative of the people of all
California.
	--- Stephen Douglas, U.S. Secretary of State

	February 14, 1854

	HAVE SPOKEN WITH BRITISH AND FRENCH MINISTERS TODAY.
RECOGNITION NOT FORTHCOMING. PETITION TO USA FOR STATEHOOD BLOCKS
RECOGNITION OF BELLIGERENT STATUS. NAVIES UNWILLING TO OPEN CLOSED
PORTS. NO HOPE OF DIPLOMATIC SUCCESS CAN COME WITHOUT SUCCESS IN THE
FIELD. IN THE INTERESTS OF PROVIDING THE LATTER I SEND TWO THOUSAND
ADDITIONAL ENFIELD MUSKETS AND FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND CARTRIDGES AND
CAPS FOR SAME. ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES AT THIS POINT WILL REQUIRE A NEW
LINE OF SUPPLY UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT SMOOTHBORE MUSKETS.

	--- Cornelius Vanderbilt to John C. Fremont

	February 20, 1854

	Many thanks for your kind and generous offer. However, I
cannot accept command of an army in the field, although I would be
more than happy to assist as I may in the organization and training of
troops. I am afraid my health, and wounds taken in four wars, no
longer permit me to take to the battlefield as once I did. 
	If there is any service which may be performed from an
armchair rather than a saddle, rest assured this old warrior is ready
to stand to duty.
	--- Sam Houston to President Henderson

March 2, 1854

	Allow me to extend my sincerest thanks to the Texas Navy,
whose Marines stormed and captured the rebel batteries on the Golden
Gate. We have since secured the Gate for open shipping.
	Reports have come to me that vessels formerly of the
Vanderbilt Line have been seen flying the rebel flag and raiding our
commerce. This fits in with information I have had, but was unable to
send before, which links the Vanderbilt companies, and in particular
the Texas Pacific Railroad Company, to the rebel movement, in arms and
financing alike. I have siezed all property of those companies within
my reach and request instruction on how to dispose of it, and how to
proceed in regards to the Vanderbilt company in the future.
	I have armed and drilled all able-bodied men within my reach
who may be trusted with weapons. I have at my disposal a force of
5,150 men, not counting some 400 persons of color who may, with your
permission, also be armed. I would not counsel such action save that
the enemy in my front currently numbers some 9,000 men alone, plus
another 4,000 elsewhere in California, and a possible 3,000 more
mustering in Deseret and Oregon. If reinforcements cannot be sped via
Panama, I will be unable to go onto the offensive. Reinforcement via
land cannot hope to reach me without conflict...

	--- Albert Sidney Johnston