lisment of the Capital at Monterey seems to give great dissatisfaction to the Californians— We have had many rumors of combats with the Indians, about the Puebla— according to these reports the dragoons have been thrashed, killed &c without doing much injury— We have heard since that all reports are false, with the exception that the Dragoons killed four Indians & took two or 3 prisoners— and one or two Dragoons slightly injured— These reports seem to be originated about the Puebla by some malicious persons for the purpose of annoying— There seems to have been quite an excitement at the puebla, upon the arrival of Cook with his battalion at that place. Capt Owens then in command of the California Battalion refused to deliver up artillery &c as he had reecived orders from Fremont^^^— orders not to give up until he Fremont returned from Monterey— The Captain held out, and quite a sparring match took place— so far as wit and badinage was concerned —and from all I hear the Captain in this contest, got rather the better of Cook. Col Mason arrived and put all things to rights— What has become of the California Battalion— we have not learned— or what course will be taken by Fremont— or what will be done with him seems to be uncertain. We have had a little official correspondence here between Santiego E Arguello, and our Mormon Captain [Jesse D. ] Hunter, Fremont had given to Santiego as a Captain in the California Battalion an order, not to deliver up horses, artillery &c &c at this point. This order he signed— not as Lt Co^ or Governor, but with his name alone— When called upon by Mason to know whether he had ever given such an order— he denied it— Dr. Sanderson wrote to me by Col Masons request to obtain this order if possible or a copy of it— Cook at the same time ordered Hunter to obtain it— Of course I merely gave my assistance to Hunter— Santiego would not give the order or copy—
The prejudice against the Mormons here seems to be wearing off— it is yet among the Californians a great term of reproach to be called Mormon— yet as they are a quiet, industrious, sober, inoffensive people— they seem to be gradually working their way up— they are extremely industrious— they have been engaged while here in digging wells, plastering houses, and seem anxious and ready to work— The Californians have no great idea of their soldier like quallities and in action would not dread them much— this arises in a great measure from their dress— carriage &c— which is as unlike any soldier— as any thing could possibly be— Yet I think if brought into action they would prove themselves good men— as I am told they are generally fine shots— and they drill— tolerably well— They are barefooted and almost naked— several of them are sick— with Intermittent fever— The day before yesterday a merchantman named the Moscow, arrived in port from the north— no news— She is in a leaky condition— and with difficulty was brought into port— she applied to Commodore Stockton for assistance, and it was at once given— The Commodore had appointed this day for leaving the port— but in consequence of the necessity of giving the Ship assistance
