Office of the Historian

[163] *Mr. Graham, Secretary of the Navy, to Commodore McCauley, United States Navy.

Navy Department, November 17, 1851.

Sir: Information has reached the President of the United States that an effort is being made at San Francisco, California, to raise an expedition for the purpose of establishing a new form of government at the Sandwich Islands, and it is apprehended that citizens of the United States may, in violation of our laws, fit out military expeditions from California for the purpose above referred to.

You are, therefore, directed by the President to consult with the United States marshal, the collector, and other United States officers at San Francisco, in order to prevent any military expedition or enterprise being carried on from thence against *the government of the Sandwich Islands. You will observe the movements of all vessels leaving the waters of California, for the purpose of ascertaining if any military expedition or enterprise has been begun or set on foot or any means provided to be carried from the United States, to be used against the government of the Sandwich Islands, and should yon discover any vessel engaging in or carrying on any such expedition or enterprise, whether by transporting troops and arms and munitions of war or otherwise, which you shall have reason to believe has been fitted out in the territories of the United States, you will prevent her proceeding thereon by seizing such vessel, taking her to the most convenient port, and delivering her over to the marshal of the district in which the same is situated. [164]

You will dispose of the vessels of your command in such manner as will be best calculated to secure the objects of this order.

Should you ascertain that a military expedition is on foot and has proceeded against the Sandwich Islands, you will repair, with the force under your command, to those islands, and use all lawful means to arrest and prevent its landing there, or on other territory of a friendly power.

The provisions of the act of Congress approved April 20, 1818, entitled “An act in addition to the act *for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States,” will be your guide. [165]

The Department will expect full and prompt information of all your movements.

I am, very respectfully, &c.,

  • WILLIAM A. GRAHAM.
  • Commodore Charles S. McCauley,
    Commanding United States Squadron.