Charles Hand reports on the arrival of U.S. Ships of war at Monterey - that the American flag is now the national banner of California - Kearny has defeated the Mexicans at San Pascual on December 6, 1846 and the Californios are selling beef as low as one cent per pound: "Father & Mother You will percieve by the above that we are at the seat of War in this ocean, where we arrived on the 2nd inst after a passage of 52 days from Callao [Peru]...We found on our arrival here the Frigates Independence, and Savannah with the Store Ship Lexington and the Sloop of War Warren arrived about four hours afterwards. - So that at this time March 5th there are 5 Men of War in the Harbor. There are some American troops on the coast and at San Diego 90 miles - northward of us are some 7 or 800 Mormons who count 400 effective men. Colonel Kearney of the 1st U.S. Dragoons is also here having crossed the country and from Santa Fe to this place he had but 100 men. When at Pueblo about 200 miles in the interior he was surrounded by a force of 7 or 800 Mexicans through whom he cut his way and arrived here with the loss of but 18 men. (Battle of San Pascual. After a severe hand-to-hand action the Mexicans left and Kearney called it an American victory although it was a costly one.) The American Flag is now the National Banner of California and if the Government ever gives it up to Mexican misrule, the President who signs the Treaty and the Senators who vote for its ratification should be held in the same estimation, that the memory of the traitor Arnold is - From what we can see from the ship Monterey has not increased much in size since 1840, when I was here in a whaler, but as I thought then I think now it is one of the most beautiful countries in the World.. General Aristas (Mariano) wife is here, and in fact I believe almost the only warrior in the place .. she is reported to have said that her husband need never return unless he can bring a neclace of scalps of the miserable Americanos as some of our enemies style us - When Commodore Stockton first established a form of Government here and took possession of the country a majority of the male inhabitants fled to the interior but the most of them have since returned, and are now living peaceably in the Town. We are now waiting the arrival of the frigate Congress and the Sloops Portsmouth and Cyanne when we are to proceed southward to the reduction of Mazatlan and Accapulco, which latter is represented to be second only to Vera Cruz in its defences. We are at present the Flag Ship of the Squadron and as Commodore Biddle is the oldest Commodore afloat he is Commander in Chief of the United States forces in the Pacific....Troop ships are now on the way to this place, but if any men except Mechanics are to be left I shall Volunteer, if not I shall return here within a year after reaching the United States....I am still employed a School Teacher on board this ship.... Chas L. Hand". (Image)