to this locality one company of dragoons with such dispatch that the Indians, may be intimidated, and that your petitioners may rest in security; and your petitioners in duty bound will ever pray, &c.

WM. P. GEORGE.

J. H. SMITH,

S. JACKSON,

[AND 37 OTHERS.]

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., November 30, 1864.

Honorable E. M. STANTON.

Secretary of War:

With a view to manning in part the sea-board works in this department we are, for want of artilery, raising the Eighth California Regiment of Infantry, and wish it officered by Major Van Voast, Eighteenth, and Capts. Charles O. Wood and William H. Jordan, Ninth U. S. Regiment Infantry, as colonel, lieutenant-colonel, and major, respectively. These promotions would not change their status or duties. We do not wish to displace them, and therefore ask that they may have leave to accept.

F. F. LOW

Governor of California.

IRVIN McDOWELL.

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC.

San Francisco, December 1, 1864

ALLEN FRANCIS, Esq.,
U. S. Consul, Victoria, Vancouver Island:

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th ultimo addressed to Major-General McDowell reporting that a large number of rebels are congregating at Victoria, Vancouver Island, and am instructed to inquire whether the general orders from the headquarters (a copy of which is herewith transmitted*) requiring passengers and their baggage to be searched is complied with by the officers of the steamers on leaving Esquimalt.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. C. DRUM.

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC.

San Francisco, December 3, 1864.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,
Chief of Staff, Washington City, D. C.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report as follows in compliance with your instructions of August 11 in the matter of the conduct of Captain William A. Winder, Third Artillery, in allowing photographs to be made on Alcatraz Island "for sale, of batteries showing their exact condition, number of guns," &c. I do not think Captain Winder was authorized under the circular of the Quartermaster-General you sent me to make or suffer others to make for sale photographs of batteries.

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*See General Orders, Numbers 35, July 10, p. 911.

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