General Kearny left San Francisco, in the frigate Savannah, Captain
Mervine, on the 23d, for Monterey, and soon after his arrival at that
place issued the following proclamation:--
PROCLAMATION TO THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA.
The President of the United States having instructed the undersigned
to take charge of the civil government of California, he enters upon
his duties with an ardent desire to promote, as far as he is able,
the interests of the country and the welfare of its inhabitants.
The undersigned has instructions from the President to respect and
protect the religious institutions of California, and to see that
the religious rights of the people are in the amplest manner
preserved to them, the constitution of the United States allowing
every man to worship his Creator in such a manner as his own
conscience may dictate to him.
The undersigned is also instructed to protect the persons and
property of the quiet and peaceable inhabitants of the country
against all or any of their enemies, whether from abroad or at home;
and when he now assures the Californians that it will be his duty
and his pleasure to comply with those instructions, he calls upon
them all to exert themselves in preserving order and tranquillity,
in promoting harmony and concord, and in maintaining the authority
and efficiency of the laws.
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