[168] *General Hitchcock to Mr. Hammond, collector.
San Francisco, September 22, 1853.
Sir: In a communication from the honorable Secretary of War, of November 19, 1851, inclosing instructions from the President of November 18, 1851, “to arrest, if possible, any expedition or enterprise from any port or place within the limits of the United States against the’ territories or dominions of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people with whom the United States are at peace,” I am directed to confer with, or correspond with, the collector of this port.
Under these circumstances, I feel called upon to advise you that I have been confidentially informed, from what I regard as a reliable source, that a hostile expedition is now, in all probability, nearly ready to start from this port for the purpose of seizing Guaymas, in the expectation that the people of Sonora may declare in favor of the invaders. If such an expedition is on foot it would clearly fall within the class to be “arrested, if possible,” and I therefore request that, if you deem it proper, your will instruct one or more of your officers confidentially to keep a strict eye upon all vessels preparing for sea in this port, and in case of any vessel becoming an object of suspicion on account *of receiving on board supplies of a military character, or being fitted up to receive armed men on board, &c., I may be informed of the suspicious circumstances in order to seize the vessel, if it should be necessary for the execution of my instructions. [169]
I am, sir, very respectfully, &c.,
Colonel Second Regiment, Brevet Brigadier-General.
Richard P. Hammond, Esq.,
Collector of San Francisco.