Notwithstanding all this writing and effort, the United
States transport Anita, commanded by acting Captain
Selirn C. Wood worth, arrived in the Columbia March six
teenth, without being at all aware of the condition of
affairs in Oregon. Instead of bringing the needed assist
ance, the Anita s errand was to raise men for the war with
Mexico, as the following correspondence will show:
HEADQUARTERS TENTH MILITARY DEPARTMENT. \ MONTEREY, California, January 28, 1848. J
To Ills Excellency, George Abernethy, Governor of Oregon :
SIR : From intelligence received here yesterday from Commo dore Shubrick, commanding the United States naval forces off Mazatlan, a copy of his communication is enclosed herewith, I deem it of the utmost importance to raise a corps of one thousand men to send to Lower California and Mazatlan as early as practica ble. I shall therefore dispatch an officer, Major Hardie of the army, to confer with your excellency, and if possible to raise in Oregon an infantry battalion of four companies, to be mustered into the ser vice of the United States to serve during the war, unless sooner dis charged ; or, if it be impracticable to engage them for that period, then to engage them for twelve months from the time of being mustered into service, unless sooner discharged. The battalion will consist of field and staff one major, one adjutant, a lieutenant of one of the companies, but not in addition. Non-commissioned staff one sergeant-major, one quarteVmaster-sergeant. Four com panies (staff), of which to consist of captain, one first lieuten ant, two second lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, two musicians, and one hundred privates. Should the number of pri vates, on being mustered, not fall below sixty-four effective men in a company, it will be received. In the United States the volunteer officers are appointed and commissioned in accordance with the laws of the state from which they are taken. The officers from Oregon will therefore, of course, be appointed pursuant to the laws of Oregon, if there are any on that subject ; if not, in such mannei as your excellency may direct, in which case I would respectfully suggest that the company officers be elected by their respective companies, and that the major be appointed by yourself; and I would further respectfully suggest the extreme importance to the public service, that the officers be judiciously selected. The place of rendezvous for the several companies, as fast as they shall bo organized, is necessarily left to yourself and Major Hardie. I do not know how this call for volunteers will be met in Oregon, but I flatter myself with the assurance that it will receive the
